I Was A Teenage Exocolonist Respects Emotional Boundaries Like No Other Game

thegamer.com:

I’m not an affectionate person. I don’t remember the last time I was. My friends go in for a hug and I become a stiff ironing board, and I’ve never been able to say “I love you” back to my parents. I only open up to those I’m really close to, so it’s safe to say I have some intimacy issues. I’ve never seen that mindset represented in a way where the need for those boundaries aren’t shunned or depicted as lacking love, but instead acknowledged and catered to - until I Was A Teenage Exocolonist.

In the opening hours, your parents tell you they love you, and you can say it back or nod along and skirt around reciprocating their affection. I wanted to express myself, especially given it was my first playthrough, but I was anxious that not saying it back would impede my relationship with them. In the past, it has done exactly that in my own life as friends and loved ones assumed that I was being stand-offish or cold for not wanting physical touch or saying mushy words. That always hurts, because deep down I do love these people back, I just can’t bring myself to say it because it makes me want to bury myself in a blanket and hide in fear of being judged.

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I Was A Teenage Exocolonist understands people like me. I didn’t say it, but the relationship with my parents stayed strong. I worked in the gardens with my mam and helped my dad tend to the animal pens; we celebrated my birthday with excitement each year, and even when I rebelled and fought back against invaders and snuck out for expeditions, they forgave me and their love didn’t waver. It was unconditional, even if I wasn’t willing or capable enough to bite the bullet and say those