Project Zomboid
Project Zomboid
Game
Game2022
I Was a Teenage Exocolonist
Developer Northway Games
I Was a Teenage Exocolonist is a 2022 role-playing partial visual novel video game developed by Northway Games and published by Finji. The player starts the game as a ten-year-old, going through events that affect the colony until the game ends when they turn twenty. The game was released on Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 in August 2022. From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
567 reactions from 4 sources (Steam reviews, Bluesky, Mastodon, Lemmy) · newest Nov 5, 2026 · last updated Nov 5, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
92
LovedLoved
268 positive · 22 negative
95% range 89–95%
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam reviews | 268 | 22 | 0 |
| Bluesky * | 78 | 0 | 128 |
| Mastodon * | 12 | 0 | 47 |
| Lemmy * | 1 | 0 | 11 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
Steam's own rating
Overwhelmingly Positive
4,234 of 4,386 reviews positive (all languages, per Valve)
What players are saying
93% recommend · 239 yes, 19 no
Counted from the reviewers’ own thumbs up/down on the 258 English Steam reviews we collected, not by the AI. Valve’s all-language rating: Overwhelmingly Positive (4,694 of 4,873 positive).
Players describe the game as life-changing and emotionally impactful. [1][2][3] Many praise the writing, art, and inclusive LGBTQ+ representation. [4][5][6] Some criticize the relationship system and repetitive gameplay. [7][8][9]
Liked
Representative posts
- [8]
This game is a very interesting case. It fails utterly as a game that tells a compelling, responsive story; but it is incredibly successful as a kind of an incremental game where you see numbers go up and ‘collect’ valuable resources—endings—through those numbers. Unfortunately, that is not the type of game that I was seeking for. Initially, I was enamoured with the game and its premise, and the first loss that most …
- [1]
"I Was a Teenage Exocolonist" has drastically changed my life. I don't believe any other game I will ever play will hit the same or even nearly as hard as this game did. It is way more than just a hidden gem. I'm constantly searching for a game that feels even remotely the same, to no avail. It is genuinely one of a kind with the mechanics it effortlessly blends combined with the rich and beautiful art. Everything …
- [7]
Excellent game, held back by some SEVERE writing missteps, almost solely in regard to the relationship system of the game. If you're into girls, be prepared for a rough time as your options are: Tammy- one of the nicest human beings, however the only way to romance her is to either: A. Choose every mean/mocking dialogue to utterly shatter her self confidence so that she can't ask out her crush Cal. B. Become best …
- [4]
EXOCOLONIST IS SO SO SO GOOD AND EVERYONE MUST PLAY !!!! I play almost exclusively big RPGs, but I bought this on a whim from a rec in r/cozygamers and it blew me away. I've never left a Steam review before but this game deserves that and so much more. The writing is incredible, the art is lovely, the gameplay loop is super fun, the characters are so rich and in-depth, and the narrative branching is so extensive it …
- [2]
I love it when my gay sci-fi life simulator card collecting game makes me feel emotions. 10/10 would be depressed again.
Summarised from 34 of the 498 public posts collected about this game; every point cites the posts behind it ([n] opens the post) and the split is counted from the posts’ own ratings. Updated Oct 9, 2026. How summaries are made
RottenBot@rottenbot · automated account
I Was a Teenage Exocolonist sits at 92% positive across 290 opinionated reactions from 4 sources. Fresh or rotten — where do you land?
Critics, per Wikipedia
I Was a Teenage Exocolonist received "generally favorable reviews" on Switch and PS5, and "universal acclaim" on PC, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. Fellow review aggregator OpenCritic assessed that the game received "mighty" approval, being recommended by 100% of critics. Destructoid liked the memories system, saying it worked both as a gameplay mechanic, "but also mimics how our memories work in real life quite beautifully". Nintendo Life enjoyed the art style, but criticized how the story lacked consequences: "Apparent jeopardy is usually overcome straightforwardly, and when our choices did seem to have gone badly wrong, the consequences just evaporated". Polygon…
From the “Reception” section of Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Critic context only — not part of the audience score.
Reactions
60 of 567 · most liked firstnew article. it's about what cozy and wholesome games are, why shitty people like them, and why I really liked I Was A Teenage Exocolonist. docseuss.medium.com/i-was-a-teen...
positive · AI labelView post →Knowledge Based Rules. Outer Wilds changed my life then Tunic changed it again Edit: Game Recommendations by the people in the comments: * Disco Elysium - @[email protected] * Kingdom Come Deliverance - @[email protected] * Fez - @[email protected], @[email protected], @[email protected] * I Was a Teenage Exocolonist - @[email protected] * Noita - @[email protected], @[email protected], @[email protected] * The Witness - @[email protected] * Lingo -…
neutral · AI labelView post →my top 10 games i played this year 1. Hades II 2. 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim 3. Yakuza 5 4. Night in the Woods 5. Doki Doki Literature Club 6. A Way Out 7. Mario Kart World 8. I Was a Teenage Exocolonist 9. Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn 10. Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky
neutral · AI labelView post →Glow, Quiet, and Pollen 🌱 all the early season concepts I made for I Was A Teenage Exocolonist
neutral · AI labelView post →I Was A Teenage Exocolonist is 50% off for the Steam Summer Sale! Now is a great time to play our game about growing strong enough to survive the future, or to buy a copy for a friend who needs one.
neutral · AI labelView post →Life gets in the way!. [Found here](https://reddit.com/r/Exocolonist/comments/1j989yd/idk_im_with_nomi_on_this_one/) or [Third party privacy frontend](https://redlib.catsarch.com/r/Exocolonist/comments/1j989yd/idk_im_with_nomi_on_this_one/) Image description: It's Teenage Nomi-Nomi from the game I Was a Teenage Exocolonist (IWATEx). They have Multicolored hair that is Pink, Orange, Blue, White and Black. They are have a happy expression on their face. Their eyes are blue with a bit of gold…
neutral · AI labelView post →Can't remember which one of Scarlet Hollow, Slay The Princess or I Was A Teenage Exocolonist I originally made this for, but: still!
neutral · AI labelView post →List of games where knowledge is progression. cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ca/post/16885686 > Outer Wilds changed my life then Tunic changed it again > > Edit: Game Recommendations by the people in the comments: > > * Disco Elysium - @[email protected] > * Kingdom Come Deliverance - @[email protected] > * Fez - @[email protected], @[email protected], @[email protected] > * I Was a Teenage Exocolonist - @[email protected] > * Noita - @[email protected],…
neutral · AI labelView post →Convinced a friend to play I Was a Teenage Exocolonist and 4 years on it still absolutely rips store.steampowered.com/app/1148760/...
positive · AI labelView post →Hi, I'm Lindsay! I make comics and video games! I'm the creator of comics How Baby and Motherlover (2025), and writer + artist for the game I Was a Teenage Exocolonist (2022) 💛 howbabycomic.com 🤍 motherlovercomic.com 💜 lindsayishihiro.ca 🖤 lindsayishihiro.notion.site
neutral · AI labelView post →Time you have to put into a game to figure out you're trans: Celeste - 10 hours Fallout: New Vegas - 60 hours I Was a Teenage Exocolonist - 100 hours Dwarf Fortress - 300 to 500 hours Guilty Gear: Strive - 500 to 1000 hours Warframe - 2000+ hours
neutral · AI labelView post →I Was a Teenage Exocolonist & 1000xRESIST are now in a Steam bundle! Experience two award-winning sci-fi narratives about how humanity builds and rebuilds after everything falls apart. 🚀👽 store.steampowered.com/bundle/87856... 🤝 @fellowtraveller.games @sunsetvisitor.studio
neutral · AI labelView post →I Was A Teenage Exocolonist is 30% right now on Steam (and elsewhere)! Play my game about exploring an alien planet, building a life and community, falling in love, dying, and being reborn to do it all over again but better next time:
neutral · AI labelView post →That question is why I wrote this article, and I really do think I Was A Teenage Exocolonist shows you how to do it right (cozy cannot exist in a vacuum). docseuss.medium.com/i-was-a-teen...
positive · AI labelView post →Good article. I think the exceptions to this for me are a) romance is a thing that the Persona games consistently get right IMO b) as mentioned in the article, Scarlet Hollow (and as not mentioned, in a very different way, the same developers, Slay The Princess) and c) I Was A Teenage Exocolonist.
neutral · AI labelView post →They’re all art. They’re all creative endeavours. Something doesn’t have to be good, or highbrow to be art. (But to answer the question as intended, the peaks of the form thus far: Disco Elysium, I Was A Teenage Exocolonist, Slay the Princess, Papers Please, The Sims, Suzerain)
neutral · AI labelView post →if you like citizen sleeper and want more you should play I Was a Teenage Exocolonist immediately
neutral · AI labelView post →We celebrated three years of I Was a Teenage Exocolonist with a Dev Q&A & art stream, and it proved what we've all known all along: the Exocolonist community is amazing! 🥲 Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=23fC... Thank you Exocolonist Artist @bkomei.bsky.social for the anniversary art! 🚀
neutral · AI labelView post →[I Was a Teenage Exocolonist] –– and around and around and around again.
neutral · AI labelView post →AUTUMN TREAT 🍬 EVERY FINJI GAME IS ON SALE ON STEAM! Including: 868-BACK - 10% OFF Night in the Woods - 50% OFF TUNIC - 50% OFF I WAS A TEENAGE EXOCOLONIST - 50% OFF WILMOT WORKS IT OUT - 30% OFF 🎃 store.steampowered.com/publisher/fi...
neutral · AI labelView post →I Was A Teenage Exocolonist is **35% off** on Steam for the Deckbuilders Fest: store.steampowered.com/app/1148760/...
neutral · AI labelView post →Semi-relatedly: everyone should play 'I Was A Teenage Exocolonist'. Great game.
positive · AI labelView post →Cozy games are whichever gives you comfort, either Skyrim, Doom, or Palia. Wholesome games foster a safe space to tackle difficult topics like burnout, abuse or depression. Wanderstop, I Was A Teenage Exocolonist and 1000xResist come to mind. The difference is clear.
neutral · AI labelView post →The third anniversary of I Was a Teenage Exocolonist is this month, and we want to celebrate with you! Hang out with the devs on Twitch and enter some cool giveaways! THURSDAY, AUGUST 28 12-2PM EDT 🍄 www.twitch.tv/finjico 🚀 Dev AMA in the Discord: discord.gg/finji
neutral · AI labelView post →Crazy how underrated I Was a Teenage Exocolonist is, it feels like a viral hit that never happened Like not only is it an incredible game it has a lot of traits that would make for a viral hit (the general "looks cozy but is actually horrifying" part, for one) but it just never took off
positive · AI labelView post →If you liked my piece on I Was a Teenage Exocolonist, it's kind of a companion piece to this. It's about the game that turned me into a shuddering, sobbing mess as "I'll stay with you/By your side/Close your tired eyes" played and then the sign told me "keep on keepin on" So I chose to live.
positive · AI labelView post →Hey, check this out. I reviewed I Was a Teenage Exocolonist for TSP; it's obviously a glowing review (aside from me prosecuting my neverending grudge against RNG); but this is a strong contender for the best, most lavish VN I've ever played.
positive · AI labelView post →Ditto I Was A Teenage Exocolonist, where just doing the videogame thing of 'of course, babe, whatever you want' to one of the potential love interests has a horrific outcome! Two great games.
neutral · AI labelView post →A good opportunity to proselytise for two terrific indy games which do this, which in very different ways do manage the illusion of time: the marvellous Videoverse and I Was A Teenage Exocolonist.
neutral · AI labelView post →Just finished Cyberpunk 2077. Does anyone know of any life affirming RPGs for the Switch? Thinking of something good but ultimately warming, like I Was A Teenage Exocolonist or Persona 4.
neutral · AI labelView post →🎁 Nintendo Holiday Sale! Get 50% off all Finji games on the Nintendo Switch, including I Was a Teenage Exocolonist & TUNIC, featured here all cute & snuggled!
neutral · AI labelView post →We had so much fun celebrating 4 years of I Was a Teenage Exocolonist in the Finji Discord yesterday! Here's the amazing anniversary illustration from @bkomei.bsky.social 💜
neutral · AI labelView post →Little Tang 🥹 Grow up, build friendships, and explore an alien planet in I Was a Teenage Exocolonist. Available now on PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation!
neutral · AI labelView post →"I Was a Teenage Exocolonist" has drastically changed my life. I don't believe any other game I will ever play will hit the same or even nearly as hard as this game did. It is way more than just a hidden gem. I'm constantly searching for a game that feels even remotely the same, to no avail. It is genuinely one of a kind with the mechanics it effortlessly blends combined with the rich and beautiful art. Everything feels *intentional* with this game, and the characters it has brought into my…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Stargazing with Dys 🌃 Spend your teenage years on an alien planet in I Was a Teenage Exocolonist. Available now on PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation!
neutral · AI labelView post →I Was a Teenage Exocolonist
neutral · AI labelView post →If you needed a reason to play (or replay) I Was a Teenage Exocolonist (beyond the overwhelmingly positive rating on Steam 😏), maybe these character designs will convince you?
neutral · AI labelView post →Warm weather is finally here! Where are you hanging out on Vertumna? 👀☀️ Spend your teenage years on an alien planet in I Was a Teenage Exocolonist, a narrative RPG with card-based battles!
neutral · AI labelView post →I don't WANT to work I WANT to play I Was a Teenage Exocolonist
positive · AI labelView post →Some good stuff in here 868-BACK, a sequel to 868-HACK and my 2026 game of the year Tunic, Chicory, Night in the Woods, Wilmot's Warehouse and the sequel. Tunic is so good y'all I Was A Teenage Exocolonist, which I haven't played but want to, is half off …Canabalt is $2 CAD instead of $4 CAD
neutral · AI labelView post →Explore an alien wilderness, study, fall in love, discover strange creatures, and deal with the consequences of your actions in I Was a Teenage Exocolonist! 50% OFF on Steam through July 10th! bit.ly/finjisummer2...
neutral · AI labelView post →What's better than one sapphic sci-fi romance? 👩❤️👩 Complete your set with this bundle of four games: 🪐 Ambrosia Sky 🌙 Heaven Will Be Mine (@pillowfight.io) 👩🏼🤝👩🏼 Haven (@thegamebakers.com) 🚀 I Was A Teenage Exocolonist (@finjico.bsky.social) Grab the bundle here: tiny.cc/lesbiansinspace
neutral · AI labelView post →BBF and Nemmie ❤️ Soldiers by necessity. Guys did you notice that 1000xRESIST and I Was A Teenage Exocolonist are in a Steam bundle for the Autumn sale?? Two incredible games with amazing plots, characters, art design, lesbians, generational trauma, and more!! #Farisart #art #IWATEX #1000xRESIST
positive · AI labelView post →Never let it be said I don't love "I Was A Teenage Exocolonist", as I now have purchased it for 15 people. Love my sad gay space game
positive · AI labelView post →I think I'm finally done with I Was A Teenage Exocolonist. There's one main ending I haven't unlocked, but there's like 20 more individual endings and an achievement for getting them all, and as much as I love the game, I'm not reading all that.
neutral · AI labelView post →@shortonegaming.bsky.social 's stream of 100 line reminded me that I have done fan art of I was a teenage exocolonist! This is from years ago when I was playing the game but enjoy! #iwasateenageexocolonist #exocolonist @ginaleighsmith.bsky.social @allimannimal.bsky.social
neutral · AI labelView post →Seven Minutes in Heaven. Tangent from I Was a Teenage Exocolonist. Anonymous commission.
neutral · AI labelView post →I read this article. It was a good article. I played I WAS A TEENAGE EXOCOLONIST. Friends, I have not done an all-night binge of a video game like this... possibly ever. This is not a cozy game. It is a game that grabs you by the heart and squeezes. I can't wait to play it again.
positive · AI labelView post →I love it when my gay sci-fi life simulator card collecting game makes me feel emotions. 10/10 would be depressed again.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Tangent from the article but can I just say that I Was A Teenage Exocolonist not only lets you set your preferred pronouns in glorious, EXCRUCIATING detail, I’m pretty sure it’s also the first time I’ve seen “Mx” in a video game
positive · AI labelView post →does anyone know if “I Was a Teenage Exocolonist” runs well on Nintendo Switch? considering whether to buy it.
neutral · AI labelView post →Browsing the Steam Summer Sale and was reminded of one of my favorite visual novels of all time. If you haven't played I Was A Teenage Exocolonist, you absolutely owe it to yourself, especially in these difficult days. Absolute 10/10 game with massive replayability.
positive · AI labelView post →I Was a Teenage Exocolonist writer @neomeruru.bsky.social has been working on a new game, and there’s now a demo! 👀👀👀
neutral · AI labelView post →This game is an absolute masterpiece. I couldn't recommend it more. I hyperfixated on it from roughly early-November 2024-mid-January or so 2025, and even after the hyperfixation faded away, I still find myself coming back to it and posting about it. It changed who I was as a person and made me feel more prepared for the future. It has raised my standards for games in general. I have also started multiple essays on characters, and that helped me get into writing :D! Also fun fact: Because of…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Excellent game, held back by some SEVERE writing missteps, almost solely in regard to the relationship system of the game. If you're into girls, be prepared for a rough time as your options are: Tammy- one of the nicest human beings, however the only way to romance her is to either: A. Choose every mean/mocking dialogue to utterly shatter her self confidence so that she can't ask out her crush Cal. B. Become best friends with Cal so that you can tell him that Tammy belongs to you. Both…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →🔜 This Thursday! Hang out with the I Was a Teenage Exocolonist dev team on Twitch! We'll be giving away some of the new Faceless plushies too! 👀 🚀 twitch.tv/finjico
neutral · AI labelView post →some indie game recs for the Steam Summer Sale! - KOR - Omori - I Was A Teenage Exocolonist - 2064: Read Only Memories - CrossCode - Jazzpunk - Monster Loves You! - Dex - Else Heart.Break() - The Flame In The Flood - Dave The Diver - Cassette Beasts - Spirittea
neutral · AI labelView post →In the past year real world, my mom died and my dad shunned me for not wanting to befriend his new wife. I picked this game up finally as a "comfort game" a couple weeks ago when my cat died. And it DELIVERED. Yes, it's dark topics and heavy moral reflections and hard choices and impossible situations. Yes, people and aliens die, and people fight, and people grow into people you don't get along with as well. Yes, life can be hard, and this game really confronts that reality esp on a planet…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Boyfriend asked me if I was going to romance Tangent in I Was a Teenage Exocolonist and I said "no, that would be selfcest"
neutral · AI labelView post →I know my review will be looked over since I've played it years late after it's come out, but I couldn't help myself. So I'm reviewing it anyways because this game sticks with you. It's been a few days after I've played it and I still can't get it out of my head. So I know I need to say something about it. lol. This game is a masterpiece at a choices matter type of game. I got it on a whim a months ago because it looked interesting. After I got it, I had someone say it was super sad, so then…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
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