Thirsty Suitors early gameplay shows off bright visuals and dynamic dance battles

Thirsty Suitors, protagonist Jala finally returns home to her small town of Timber Hills — only to be confronted by six of her exes, against whom she must do battle. It may seem suspiciously familiar. Scott Pilgrim against the WorldOn its surface. It is not. Thirsty SuitorsThis story is about a queer South Asian girl who has to deal with family expectations and intergenerational trauma.

“Thirsty Suitors is an action-adventure RPG about immigrant culture, resolving relationships, family pressure, and expressing yourself,” said creative director Chandana Ekanayake, co-founder of developer Outerloop Games, in a recent preview of the game. “She returns to her hometown of Timber Hills after a bad breakup and goes on a reconciliation tour, to right her wrongs and to learn something about herself.”

Our look at Thirsty SuitorsJala was first seen riding her skateboard across a dreamscape. This combination of bright pop art and forward-moving platforming is a great mix. Sayonara Wild Hearts. Ramsey Kharroubi’s infectious music (Boyfriend Dungeon) syncs with Jala’s movements. As she skates from element to element, a narrator weighs in — an internal dialogue in the form of her chiding sister. Jala’s anxiety is palpable. She completes a series of tricks before being interrupted by the towering figures of her parents, both larger-than-life in Jala’s mental landscape. She isn’t ready to come home.

These fears can be very relatable. There’s nothing like being a first-generation immigrant kid, knocking on your parents’ door, and knowing you’ll have to navigate generational and cultural differences. It is possible to get in. Thirsty SuitorsJala divides her time between visiting her hometown and cooking with her family. She also enjoys skating and, of course, fighting these six ex-boyfriends. The goal is for her to repair old friendships before her sister’s wedding — all while gearing up for a visit from Paati, the family matriarch.

Image: Outerloop Games/Annapurna Interactive

Although the story begins linearly, Jala can explore more freely as it opens up. As Jala makes narrative choices, she will accrue points toward building a character class, called her “Thirstsona,” which has three categories: Heartbreaker, Star, or Bohemian. (The preview didn’t delve into how the classes affect gameplay.) Ekanayake stated that players will have the opportunity to choose what activities interest them most. There’s more chances to skate, from shredding daydream landscapes to cutting up actual in-game world locations. Developers can allow their players to make more investments in the kitchen, which is a unique part of the game. The game was developed by a team of 15, spread across four continents, and “the culture of characters, places, and food are all inspired by the team’s own immigrant experiences and backgrounds.”

“It’s been therapeutic to explore this, because I’ve been cooking with my mom and learning recipes,” Ekanayake said. “Just talking to her about why we moved here and how they had to restart their lives.”

Jala’s fights against her exes are done through charming, over-the-top, turn-based dance battles. The fights are funny and full of character. Players choose between taunts, attacks, skills, and items when facing their opponents — and each of these ties back to the game’s story. Either you want to annoy or flirt with your opponent. The rhythm elements of the game are interwoven throughout. To deliver the next move, the player must hit the button at the correct time. Dialogue throughout the fight gives more backstory to Jala’s run-ins with her exes, and some of the choices result in making Jala more Heartbreaker, Star, or Bohemian.

Polygon got a glimpse into an early fight in the preview: Jala meets Sergio at a diner. They have been friends since third grade. She weakens him with a “Thirst Taunt” — a flirty attack that has Jala striking a cute a pose and batting her lashes — and attacks with a “Jalu Jab.” After dealing enough damage the fight changes locations to Sergio’s “Inner World,” a surreal, somewhat Psychonauts 2-style projection of his mind, where Jala must fight against Sergio’s perception of himself. In the last stage of their battle, each enemy will have one. Jala must discover a way to get through.

The narrator, in-game, offers Jala advice on how to win the battle: “If you want to get anywhere you have to shatter that invulnerability by summoning a terrifying psychological specter,” she says. “Like most South Asian men, all it takes to destroy Sergio’s ego is a single word from his mom.” Since Jala can’t bring his mom in, she summons the next best person — her own. This works. Jala’s mom appears, looming over the pair, and Sergio crumbles. Jala moves on, and the fight ends in reconciliation.

Image: Outerloop Games/Annapurna Interactive

This game is full of personal touches that add warmth and character. The personal aspect of the storytelling makes me eager to watch the progression of the narrative. Thirsty SuitorsIn just thirty minutes, you can see the humor and style of this person.

Thirsty Suitors doesn’t yet have a release date, but you can wishlist the game on Steam.