Info about I Was a Teenage Exocolonist:

Official game description:
**The Choices You Make, Make You.**  
Growing up in humanity’s first extrasolar space colony means navigating a new world full of wonder, danger, and beauty. Explore the wilderness, study, fall in love, discover strange creatures, and deal with the consequences of your actions. Your choices will directly affect the lives of your friends and the fate of the colony. What kind of world will you help make? Will you survive to enjoy it? Why do you remember doing this before?  
**Growing Up on an Alien Planet**  
You have your whole life ahead of you. Will you spend it studying in school, or diving into the intriguing flora and fauna of this new world? Will you introduce space-age technology, or live in harmony with nature? Will you battle massive beasts, or nurture future generations? Realized in brilliant watercolor, the world of Vertumna is yours to explore.  
**Your Pasts and Your Futures Matter**  
Everything you learn and experience will make you and your colony stronger. You will thrive and you will make mistakes. These formative moments - your memories, decisions, and friendships - become collectible cards you carry with you. Each season brings new obstacles on Vertumna. The battle cards you earn from your experiences give you new options for overcoming these challenges, whether that is navigating relationships, learning new skills, exploring the planet, or staying alive. Every decision counts, during this life and the next.  
**How Many Lives Will YOU Live?**  
The cosmos is full of incredible mysteries, and your ability to remember your past lives is one of them. There are dozens of different endings to your story. How many lives will it take to save both your colony and the planet? Are you ready to wake up again?  
**Features:**  
*   Use memories of past lives to explore 800+ story events.  
*   Discover more than 250 battle cards as you grow up on an alien planet.  
*   Play your best hand in challenge encounters to ace your math test or escape from a wild snapbladder.  
*   Make friends, fight with your parents, go on dates, fall in love, and save the colony.  
*   29 wildly different endings based on the choices you make each month.  
*   Pick from 25 colony jobs, like goofing off as a depot clerk, or surveying the valley.  
*   Grow into 15 skills, including bravery, toughness, organization, and empathy.  
*   Get to know 10 dateable characters, including dog-boys, aliens, hot politicians and stone cold killers.

Release date: Aug 25, 2022

Categories: Choice-based Narrative, Deckbuilding, Life Simulation, Character Customization, Multiple Endings, Time-based Mechanics, Character Relationships & Romance, Non-linear Storytelling


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Branching storyline with meaningful choices (weight 0.96): The game features a deeply engaging narrative with branching paths, multiple endings (29+), and choices that significantly impact character relationships and plot outcomes. Players appreciate the freedom to explore 'good' and 'evil' options, creating high replayability and emotional investment.
- Beautiful art style and soundtrack (weight 0.95): The game’s watercolor-inspired art, vibrant character designs, and atmospheric soundtrack are consistently praised for their beauty and emotional impact. The aesthetic complements the narrative, creating a cohesive and immersive experience.
- Emotionally rich and immersive storytelling (weight 0.93): The story is praised for its emotional depth, evoking a wide range of feelings from joy to sorrow. Players highlight the immersive world-building, relatable characters, and themes like childhood trauma, grief, and recovery, which resonate deeply and encourage multiple playthroughs.
- High replayability with unique experiences (weight 0.93): Replayability is a core strength, driven by time loops, memory retention, and unlockable narrative paths. Each playthrough reveals new content, dialogue, and endings, making the game feel fresh and rewarding even after dozens of runs.
- Deckbuilding mechanics enhance storytelling (weight 0.91): The card-based gameplay, while optional, adds strategic depth and thematic resonance. Players enjoy the deckbuilding challenges, which integrate seamlessly with the narrative and skill progression, offering a unique blend of RPG and visual novel elements.
- Thought-provoking themes and world-building (weight 0.86): Themes like environmentalism, colonization, and personal growth are explored with nuance, while the alien planet Vertumna is masterfully crafted with unique creatures and lore. Players appreciate the game’s ability to balance depth with accessibility.
- Realistic and nuanced character development (weight 0.86): Characters are lauded for their depth, flaws, and growth, with arcs tied to player choices and environmental factors. The game portrays adolescence, relationships, and trauma with authenticity, making characters feel like real people.
- Accessible and flexible gameplay (weight 0.18): The game is designed for accessibility, with no physical response time required, skip options for dialogue/card battles, and customizable difficulty. This ensures players of all skill levels can enjoy the story without frustration.
- Wholesome yet emotionally impactful moments (weight 0.11): The game balances heartwarming interactions (e.g., family bonds, friendships) with gut-punching emotional beats. Players describe moments of joy, sadness, and reflection, often tied to the soundtrack and character arcs.

Common complaints:
- Shallow and unsatisfying romances (weight 0.25): Romance options are described as forced, unnatural, and poorly written, with limited impact on the game world. Relationships often feel hollow, contrived, or culturally jarring, leading to frustration.
- Clichéd and stereotypical characters (weight 0.21): Characters are often described as one-dimensional, stereotypical, or poorly written, with some portrayals reinforcing harmful tropes (e.g., racial or LGBTQ+ stereotypes).
- Tedious late-game and pacing issues (weight 0.19): The late game is described as shallow, repetitive, or too short, with pacing issues that make multiple playthroughs feel tedious or uninspired.
- Frustrating character relationships (weight 0.1): Relationships with characters feel shallow, unfulfilling, or emotionally distressing. Some characters are disliked for their personalities or writing, leading to frustration.
- Unclear mechanics and narrative direction (weight 0.05): Players struggle with unclear mechanics for triggering events, plot progression, or achieving specific outcomes. The narrative can feel inconsistent or rushed.
- Problematic character portrayals (weight 0.05): Specific characters (e.g., Vace, Vance) are criticized for problematic traits, such as abusive behavior or unrealistic writing, which detract from the experience.
- Grindy and time-consuming completion (weight 0.05): Achieving 100% completion or specific endings is described as grindy, time-consuming, and discouraging for perfectionists. Some outcomes require external guidance or feel unrewarding.
- Emotionally draining experience (weight 0.05): The game’s tone, character deaths, and relationship outcomes can be emotionally distressing or psychologically taxing, making it unsuitable for players seeking relaxation.
- Heavy-handed themes and messaging (weight 0.04): The game is criticized for its preachy tone, dark themes, and heavy-handed political or social messaging, which can feel forced or shaming to players.

Gameplay feedback:
- Choice-driven narrative core (weight 0.54): The game revolves around branching storylines, multiple endings, and dialogue-based choices that significantly impact character relationships and outcomes. Players experience replayability through varied narrative paths and emotional consequences tied to decisions.
- Replayability and achievements (weight 0.51): Designed for multiple playthroughs, the game encourages exploration of different paths, hidden secrets, and achievements tied to narrative outcomes or gameplay milestones.
- Character customization and inclusivity (weight 0.5): Players customize protagonists (appearance, gender, pronouns) and shape personalities through choices. LGBTQ+ inclusivity and diverse character arcs are central to the experience.
- Time loop and memory mechanics (weight 0.49): A core gameplay loop involves repeating lifetimes with retained memories, unlocking new dialogue options, and altering decisions in subsequent playthroughs. This mechanic enhances replayability and narrative depth.
- Hybrid genre blending (weight 0.48): The game merges visual novel storytelling, life simulation, RPG elements, and deckbuilding. This unique combination appeals to fans of narrative-driven and strategic gameplay.
- Resource and time management (weight 0.46): Players balance limited actions per in-game year (e.g., 13 months) with stat-building, relationship management, and career progression. Seasonal changes and income generation add depth.
- Deckbuilding and card challenges (weight 0.17): Optional or integrated card-based mechanics (e.g., skill checks, mini-games) add strategic depth. Players can toggle difficulty or skip these challenges, making them accessible but not mandatory for progression.
- Stat-based progression (weight 0.13): Character attributes (e.g., charisma, intelligence) unlock dialogue options and skill challenges. Stats improve through actions like card games or relationship-building, influencing outcomes.
- Romance and relationship systems (weight 0.13): Multiple romanceable characters with distinct arcs and outcomes are available. Relationships evolve through dialogue choices, gifting, and stat-building, with mechanics comparable to *Persona* or dating sims.

Performance notes:
- Strong performance across devices (weight 0.02): The game is optimized to run smoothly on various hardware, including low-end PCs, Steam Deck, and supports both keyboard/mouse and gamepad inputs. This broad compatibility ensures a consistent experience for most players.
- High stability with minimal bugs (weight 0.01): Players report the game is stable with no major technical issues, indicating a polished and well-tested release. This reduces frustration and improves overall satisfaction.

Recommendations:
- Value and pricing recommendations (weight 0.28): While many deem the game worth full price, others suggest buying on sale or trying the demo first. It is considered a strong value for its depth and replayability.
- Ideal for specific gaming preferences (weight 0.28): The game is highly recommended for fans of visual novels, deck-building, sci-fi, RPGs, and choice-based mechanics. It may not appeal to those seeking fast-paced action or minimal text.
- Blind playthroughs enhance experience (weight 0.28): Many players advise going in blind for the first run to maximize immersion and discovery. Avoiding spoilers or guides is strongly encouraged to preserve the game’s impact.
- Balanced challenge and mechanics (weight 0.26): The default difficulty is considered well-balanced, and the game’s mechanics (e.g., deck-building, stat improvements) are praised for adding depth without overwhelming players.
- Potential for future content (weight 0.24): Players express excitement for a sequel or similar games, citing the current title’s depth and unique mechanics as a foundation for future projects.
- Emotional toll and trigger warnings (weight 0.04): Players note the game’s emotional weight and recommend checking in-game trigger warnings. It is best suited for those comfortable with heavy themes and character investment.
- Passion project with unique creativity (weight 0.02): The game is celebrated as a passion project with genuine creativity, blending cozy aesthetics with mature themes. Players applaud the developers for their vision and execution.

Other player notes:
- Steam Deck menu adjustments (weight 0.01): The game includes an option for larger menus, improving accessibility and usability on the Steam Deck. This feature is valuable for players using handheld devices.
- Unsettling character design (weight 0.01): Multiple players found the 'dog kid' character visually disturbing or unsettling, impacting their immersion in the game. This feedback highlights a specific design choice that may need reconsideration.
- Emotional impact on players (weight 0.01): Several players mentioned the game helped them through difficult personal times, indicating strong emotional resonance and narrative depth. This suggests the game's themes and storytelling are highly effective for some audiences.
- Mature themes addressed (weight 0.01): The game tackles mature topics, which resonated with players seeking deeper or more complex narratives. This may appeal to an older or more reflective audience.
- LGBTQ+ representation included (weight 0.01): The game features LGBTQ+ characters, which was noted by players. This reflects the game's inclusive design, though it may not directly affect gameplay mechanics.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.08): Players experience frustration due to repetitive gameplay loops, including time-consuming tasks for 100% completion, grind-heavy achievements, and forced linear scenarios. Many also cite weak storytelling elements, such as inconsistent narratives, underdeveloped antagonists, and unsatisfying romance systems that feel one-sided or railroading. Technical and mechanical issues, like unintuitive progression, flawed saving systems, and unwinnable challenges, further exacerbate the frustration.
- Excitement (weight 0.08): Excitement stems from the game's depth of choices, replayability, and narrative variety, which encourage players to explore multiple endings and storylines. The innovative mechanics, such as time loops and past-life remembrance, along with strong world-building and character development, create a sense of discovery and anticipation. Players also express excitement about the game's addictive gameplay, art style, and the emotional impact of unlocking new scenes or interactions.
- Admiration (weight 0.06): Players admire the game for its emotional storytelling, well-written characters, and beautiful art style, which collectively create a deeply immersive experience. The skillful handling of complex themes, such as romance and gender identity, along with the effort put into branching storylines and dialogue options, earns high praise. Many reviewers describe the game as a masterpiece, highlighting its narrative quality, world-building, and overall execution.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.05): Satisfaction arises from the game's ability to meet or exceed expectations through rich character interactions, flexible gameplay options, and replayability. Players enjoy discovering narrative twists, unlocking unique scenes, and achieving desired endings after multiple playthroughs. The game's depth, emotional impact, and the sense of closure from passing skill checks or seeing character arcs conclude neatly contribute to this feeling.
- Love (weight 0.05): Players express deep love for the game's art, writing, and emotional storytelling, which foster a strong connection to its characters and world. The replayability, character arcs, and unique premise create a lasting attachment, with many describing the game as one of their favorites. The overall experience, including music, customization, and queer representation, resonates deeply with players.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.05): Enjoyment is derived from the game's immersive and visually appealing world, engaging gameplay mechanics, and narrative depth. Players appreciate the variety of endings, character progression, and the freedom to explore relationships and outcomes. The cozy yet emotionally impactful gameplay loop, along with the game's replayability and soundtrack, make it a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
- Joy (weight 0.04): Joy is sparked by the game's emotional storytelling, character interactions, and the satisfaction of unlocking rewarding storylines. Players describe the game as addictive, unique, and emotionally impactful, often leading to tears of happiness or laughter. The flexibility in character development, romances, and the discovery of new content in subsequent playthroughs contribute to this sense of joy.
- Disappointment (weight 0.04): Disappointment stems from unmet expectations, such as shallow character interactions, repetitive graphics, and unsatisfying endings. Players also cite poor UI design, lack of agency, and weak deck-building or battle systems as sources of frustration. Some feel the game's systems fail to support its narrative ambitions, leading to a lack of replay value or emotional fulfillment.
- Sadness (weight 0.03): Sadness is evoked by the game's emotionally devastating storylines, including character deaths, failed romances, and the inability to save favorite characters. Players feel a deep sense of loss or heartbreak from the narrative's consequences, such as love interests dating each other or missing out on content due to high replay requirements.
- Appreciation (weight 0.03): Players appreciate the game's artistic direction, soundtrack, and the effort put into branching storylines and replayability. The thoughtful inclusion of features like customizable pronouns and the game's unique representation of themes are also praised. Many acknowledge the developers' hard work and the game's ability to deliver a deeply personal and engaging experience despite its short length.
- Curiosity (weight 0.03): Curiosity is driven by the game's premise of changing the past and the desire to explore different narrative outcomes. Players enjoy uncovering new lore, plot twists, and character stories with each playthrough, as well as experimenting with choices to see how they alter the game's direction. The mystery and replayability keep players engaged and eager to discover more.
- Surprise (weight 0.03): Surprise comes from the game exceeding expectations in terms of depth, emotional impact, and gameplay quality. Players are caught off guard by the game's darkness, charm, and the effectiveness of its mechanics, such as deckbuilding or fight/exploration systems. The narrative's ability to deliver unexpected twists and turns also contributes to this emotion.
- Engagement (weight 0.02): Engagement is fueled by the game's captivating narrative, characters, and replayability, which keep players invested for extended periods. The plot developments and lore encourage players to return to the game, often leading to late-night play sessions. The game's ability to 'hook' players from the start and maintain their interest through its depth is a key factor.
- Awe (weight 0.02): Awe is inspired by the game's expansive and reactive world, masterful storytelling, and overall quality. Players describe the game as a masterpiece of fiction, praising its emotional depth, world-building, and the beauty of its art and character design. The game's ability to feel unique and special, often exceeding all expectations, leaves a lasting impression.
- Attachment (weight 0.02): Attachment develops through the game's emotionally rich characters and storylines, which create a deep connection to the world and its inhabitants. Players grow fond of specific characters and their arcs, often replaying the game to explore their stories further. The bittersweet endings and the sense of investment in the characters' fates strengthen this bond.
- Gratitude (weight 0.02): Gratitude is expressed toward the game's developers for creating an impactful and inclusive experience. Players are thankful for the game's ability to help them through difficult times, explore their identity, or simply provide a meaningful escape. The game's themes of inclusivity and its positive influence on players' lives are frequently highlighted.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.01): Nostalgia is evoked by the game's coming-of-age themes, relatable teen angst, and emotionally resonant storytelling. Players reflect on personal memories tied to the game, such as watching playthroughs or writing fan fiction, and the lasting impact of its narrative. The game's ability to capture the essence of growing up makes it a nostalgic experience.
- Addiction (weight 0.01): Addiction is driven by the game's engaging and replayable nature, which compels players to spend hours exploring different endings and storylines. The curiosity about outcomes and the desire to uncover all secrets keep players coming back, often leading to marathon play sessions. Despite its challenges, the game's addictive quality is a testament to its depth and appeal.
- Obsession (weight 0.01): Obsession stems from the game's immersive universe, emotional depth, and the strong attachment players develop to its characters and story. Players describe becoming hyperfixated on the game, often playing for extended periods or engaging with fan content. The game's portrayal of growing up and its overall quality make it a deeply compelling experience.
- Affection (weight 0.01): Affection is directed toward the game's characters, particularly those with compelling stories or cozy vibes. Players develop a fondness for specific characters, such as Dys, and appreciate the game's emotional impact and replayability. The positive sentiment toward the game's narrative and visuals fosters a sense of warmth and attachment.}