Now considering I’ve only clocked in less than 24 combined hours of this game, I feel the IGN review above gives a better deep dive on all its many facets. But even with my limited time in I’ve already let this fun, comedic but pretty deep game completely take me in. Playing as Jala, an American Indian girl with a thing for skating, you have to move back to your old home town after leaving it for “bigger dreams”, and basically cutting off everyone from your family to a pretty big list of exes. Add in the general lack of direction that comes with your mid 20s, the parental contempt that comes with it and considering a few new relationship prospects all leads to an intriguing, hilarious story about growth and making amends that also has inventive and fun game mechanics.

Thirsty suitors is part adventure game, part skateboard simulator, part turn-based strategy battler. With other different game modes thrown in for specific scenarios, and all focused around Jala’s story. In fact the story and game mechanics weave in so well that a fact mentioned by a character in story dialogue might reveal their weakness in battle. Or an aspect like your father wanting you to cook for him in the cutscenes can lead to you getting upgrades and bonuses when you finally do that as a side mission. This is a game where story is just as important as the gameplay, but that doesn’t mean the gameplay takes a back seat either. If you’re a fan of classic final fantasy or the persona games, you’ll slip right into the balance of attacks, abilities and special buffs or weaknesses which again, are often influenced by what you do out of fights. Except this time the attacks are less of punches and sword slashes and more Jala attacking you with her signature yoyo or a special attack that includes her grandmother hitting you with a slipper (no I’m not making this stuff up). It’s that zany and funny energy that keeps Thirsty Suitors mostly light, or just has you either laughing or rolling your eyes at everything happening.

That light-hearted feeling does hide it’s deeper moments however. As we said, this is a story that’s pretty much about reconciling with past mistakes while seeing trying to do better for your future. And a lot of it’s biggest moments do hit really hard. Jala, like many people that hurt others, is really someone with their own hurts and insecurities, and the game makes a point of that to basically let the player learn from it. This can either be through a more intense cutscene or even mid battle when both Jala and her opponent finally come to terms with things or let their feelings out. It’s a good break from the usual funny hijinks, and gives more depth to the interesting supporting characters and opponents beyond just why they’re angry(or why they shoot roses at you with their thighs. Again, can’t make this up).

This fusion and scattershot approach doesn’t always for the game good to be fair. For starters as a jack of all trades, it’s a master of non. This isn’t Tony Hawk Pro skater for the skateboard sessions, neither is it Final Fantasy when it comes to the depth of its strategy battles. But it strikes enough of a balance among these disparate parts that I personally don’t mind it. The thing I actually have a problem with, is how this game is only available on consoles and PC. I mean I’m glad that it runs on both the PS4 and PS5 generations as well as the Nintendo Switch. But considering that this is a game built on the fairly light Unity and designed to be easy to play even when on the go, it baffles me how there isn’t a mobile version of this game. I’d personally love to play it in transit from work, and it’s game mechanics would all translate well to mobile devices. If you ask me, these are the games that Apple and Co should be pushing to put on mobile, not a Resident Evil game that requires an external controller and headphones to fully enjoy. I hope the makers of this game, Outer loop games and Annapurna Interactive, see the opportunity here and get this game in EVERYONE’S hands.

All that aside, you’ll have to work pretty hard to pull me off Thirsty Suitors for the coming weeks. This game gives me the comfort and depth of my favorite comedies while being pretty creative with its gameplay and art style. It takes a lot for a game to make me notice it that much. But this one has. And I hope a lot of you notice it too.

Thirsty Suitors is available now for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series S/X, Nintendo Switch and PC