In Thirsty Suitors, the Dance Battles Are Powered by Family
In an entertainment industry where telling authentic cultural stories has gained importance, the indie video game Thirsty Suitors follows Jala, a South Asian bisexual woman who is returning to her sleepy hometown to a judgmental mother and a host of upset exes.
Jala is an avid skateboarder, an aspiring home cook and a heartbreaker perhaps ready to make amends. And in this offbeat, humorous, and playful role-playing game, it is her family that will ultimately help her succeed.
Jala’s father calls her on the phone, suggesting that she could repair her relationship with her mother by asking for cooking lessons to make traditional dishes like paratha, Indian flatbread.
Each night, her father carries Jala to bed when she falls asleep, even though she is well past the age of needing a piggyback ride.
