Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 87 | 22 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 96% | 91 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 82 | 23 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 97% | 92 | 24 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Acclaim gate: the raw blend lands at 90.3, but scores above 88 must be earned in front of a mass audience; this verdict rests on 4,903 player reviews, a largely self-selected fanbase. As more players weigh in, the ceiling rises (full scale unlocks at 100,000 reviews).
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 68 reviews sampled · 64 total reviews in window · weighted 58.9 up / 1.8 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (25)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 70
“Every single thing about I Was a Teenage Exocolonist is nice, from its appearance to its sounds to its writing, nice, even, to a fault. As a plot device, it makes sense that the utopian vision of the Exocolonists is all very lovely, with its impeccable inclusivity and anti-capitalist teachings, but at some point, if things are going to go life-or-death pear-shaped, the niceness really ought to give. Overall, the game lacks bite, but with so much love and niceness oozing from every facet of it, it is, by the same token, impossible to dislike.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“At its core, Exocolonist is a fascinating story about collective survival, finding harmony with the planet, and how a blank slate for humanity is, well, not really a blank slate at all. The memory of the crumbling planet Earth pursues these colonists, literally. And with the colony constantly on the brink of disaster, the old systems of militarization, power imbalances and overconsumption of resources starts to make a tempting appearance. It’s up to you as the player, and as part of the colony, to decide if you’re willing to give into that ghost of a collapsing society or if it’s better to try something new.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“It’s a game that delightfully demonstrates the importance of connections, with each other or one’s surroundings, and of reaching out.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“I Was A Teenage Exocolonist is a fun visit through adolescence which begs the player to keep living life to the max, experiencing all the game can offer. It's a beautifully artistic game, with many opportunities for a unique experience every time you play.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Not often do we see a narrative RPG with so much squeezed inside a relatively small package. I Was a Teenage Exocolonist will leave you thinking, laughing, crying, and even blushing. With beautiful character illustrations and a story that feels genuine from start to finish, this is a must-play for anyone who enjoys narrative games. Though one playthrough will run you around 5-10 hours, the things you missed will have you coming back for one more playthrough every time.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“I Was A Teenage Exocolonist is not short of becoming an exemplary title in fantastic writing and storytelling, and easily my favourite entry into the visual novel genre thus far.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“I Was a Teenage Exocolonist is an engaging narrative RPG where you can boost your stats, make friends, and explore through several routes as you grow.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“I was a Teenage Exocolonist is nothing short of amazing. Its complex inclusive characters, choice-driven gameplay, and immense potential for replay make it a must-have for any gamer.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“If you thrive when immersed in a rich narrative and like the idea of shaping the life of a youngster growing up on an unknown planet, then I Was a Teenage Exocolonist is for you. This narrative RPG may be slow-paced, and its narrative can get rather dark at times, but it’s excellently written and filled with heart. Add to that some truly stunning artwork, and you’ll be compelled to see exactly how this teenage exocolonist’s life turns out, time and time again.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Live as many lives as it takes to be happy in I Was a Teenage Exocolonist. The addition of a little roguelike side to this narrative and progressive Sci-Fi life simulator gives it all its charm and makes it addictive.”
read full review ↗ - 93
“Emotionally charged and aesthetically pleasing, I Was a Teenage Exocolonist is an RPG that will appeal to those seeking a narrative close to the heart of anyone who tends to look back on their lives and think about the different choices that they might have made. The game will get you thinking about life, cherishing the best moments, and lamenting the lows, all while looking fantastically good and providing even more incentive to jump back in for one more run. Even on an alien planet, the power of human relationships has never been more evident or intriguing to experience.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“I Was a Teenage Exocolonist is an engrossing social sim that offers up deep roleplaying and a wonderfully-realized universe, with fun collectible card game mechanics as a bonus. Perhaps more importantly, it’s one of the best distillations of growing up I’ve ever encountered in a video game. It doesn’t matter if you’ve left the era long behind, don’t miss out on getting these teenage kicks.”
read full review ↗
Nintendo Life
video games are good
RPGamer
Push Square
Checkpoint Gaming
GameGrin
SwitchRPG
Geeks Under Grace
GameSpew
IGN
Geek Culture
Wccftech…and 13 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Steam Workshop Update!Aug 10, 2026
- Patch #4 (minor update)Aug 3, 2023
- Exocolonist Patch #3 (version 2716) changelog!Apr 11, 2023
- Exocolonist Patch #2 (version 2315) changelog!Nov 15, 2022
- Exocolonist Patch #1 (version 2204) changelog!Oct 5, 2022significant · resets scoring window