Thirsty Suitors Review Thread

Game Information

Game Title: Thirsty Suitors

Platforms:

Xbox Series X/S (Nov 2, 2023)
PlayStation 5 (Nov 2, 2023)
Nintendo Switch (Nov 2, 2023)
PC (Nov 2, 2023)
Xbox One (Nov 2, 2023)
PlayStation 4 (Nov 2, 2023)

Trailers:

Developer: Outerloop Games

Publisher: Annapurna Interactive

Review Aggregator:

OpenCritic - 80 average - 80% recommended - 11 reviews

Critic Reviews

But Why Tho? - Mick Abrahamson - 7.5 / 10

Thirsty Suitors’s main story is deep and really aims right at the heart, even if it feels disjointed at times. Regardless of your relationship with your parents, loved ones, and past friends, you will find ways to connect with Jala’s troubles. Beyond that, the game feels quite simplistic, for better or worse. The combat is stylish and fun but quickly gets repetitive.

CGMagazine - Dayna Eileen - 7.5 / 10

Overall, Thirsty Suitors is a fun experience. If you can overlook the rough skateboarding sections and repetitive encounters, there is a good coming-of-age story and some fantastic music and mini-games.

Checkpoint Gaming - David McNamara - 9 / 10

Thirsty Suitors is a wicked combination of a warm hug and a shot of tequila. It absolutely nails its colourful, over-the-top style in every aspect, keeping you thirsting to jump into your next dramatic turn-based confrontation or unlock a new ridiculous Summon. At the same time, it explores complex family dynamics through a beautifully simple cooking mechanic, and provides thoughtful reflections on cultural expectations, relationships, and the diversity of the queer experience. Despite some mechanical unsteadiness in its skateboarding segments, Thirsty Suitors is an explosive, chaotic, and utterly delightful experience from beginning to end.

Digital Trends - Giovanni Colantonio - 3.5 / 5

Like its hero, Thirsty Suitors is a charmingly messy game that juggles a little more than it can handle. Its multipronged gameplay loop wobbles between inventive and repetitive over the course of its eight-hour story. What it lacks in polish, though, it makes up for with a nuanced narrative about how the past isn’t always a haunting specter to hide from.

IGN - Saniya Ahmed - 8 / 10

The story can feel a bit rushed at times, but cooking under the pressure of a judgmental family and reconciling with exes through exaggerated battles makes Thirsty Suitors very worthwhile.

PC Gamer - Abbie Stone - 84 / 100

A heartfelt and hilarious couples therapy session, disguised as a stylish RPG. A gem.

Press Start - James Wood - 8 / 10

Thirsty Suitors is a little thirsty with its mechanical ambitions but never fails to charm in one way or another. With a beautifully diverse cast, mature writing, and unmatched expressiveness, it breathes new life into the genre.

Push Square - Jade Sayers - 8 / 10

While on the outside Thirsty Suitors seems like a tongue-in-cheek game about reconnecting with your past, it reveals so much more beneath the surface. That’s not to say it isn’t humorous, but it’s also doing much more besides. It’s a commentary on societal expectations, living as a second-generation immigrant in a different culture, finding yourself, and accepting others. It’s a deep experience packaged in such a light-hearted box, and never feels overbearing. The story of Jala, her family, and friends, each with their own lived experiences, feels so important and relevant to today’s society, and it’s a joy to play through.

RPG Fan - Neal Chandran - 92%

A memorable experience that left me wanting more (in a good way).

Rock, Paper, Shotgun - Siobhán Casey - Unscored

A bright and breezy turn-based RPG that flounders as a skateboarding simulator, but excels at depicting the horrid awkwardness of being surrounded by disappointed family and jilted exes.

TheSixthAxis - Adrian Burrows - 7 / 10

Thirsty Suitors succeeds because it delivers on story. Memorable characters, top-notch voice-over work, and stand-out dialogue all help elevate the average gameplay elements. Ultimately, Jala’s is a story that you’ll enjoy from beginning to end, even if it does involve suffering through a deluge of QTEs.