We Happy Few

We Happy Few is an adventure action-horror game with a first-person perspective and survival elements. During World War II, Nazi Germany captured Great Britain, and in order to free their homeland, the people committed a certain "Very Bad Thing," which they could not forget even after the war ended. The game begins 20 years later — the inhabitants preferred to escape from harsh reality and became addicted to a certain drug that gives a feeling of blissful happiness.

The first-person psychedelic adventure thriller We Happy Few, featuring role-playing and crafting, appeared in Steam Early Access in July 2016. The full version was released two years later and disappointed critics with minor changes compared to the early version.

We Happy Few takes place in the fictional town of Wellington Wells, located on a small island off the coast of England. After the peace treaty, the island's population could not rid themselves of the pangs of conscience for the "Very Bad Thing," and then Dr. Arthur Verloc came to their aid, discovering a special mineral underground in Wellington. The substance extracted from it has a strong narcotic effect and is called "Joy."

The events of We Happy Few begin in the 1960s, when the population had long been using the drug in pill form, as additives to food, water, and even air. Its use plunges a person into a state of euphoria, the surrounding space is seen in bright and warm tones, problems are not noticed, and they constantly smile.

Memory of all unpleasant events also disappears, and the brain degrades. Moreover, things may not be what they seem — one of the characters presents himself as a maid, and people under "Joy" see him in that guise.

Without "Joy," the character sees the terrifying reality — the city is literally sinking underground, there is devastation and heaps of garbage around, people treat any problems infantile and behave like big children, and in the surroundings, no one has been growing food or livestock for a long time — people eat rats and each other. "Big Brother" forces everyone to take "Joy" and remain in sweet ignorance.

The gameplay of We Happy Few is sparse on mechanics — action involves hit/defend, stunning, poorly functioning stealth, and crafting of items, of which only a few are truly needed. Progression boils down to combining these abilities and moving further along the plot — the game can be completed quickly or by exploring every corner.

There is no open world in the game, but there are many small and medium-sized, intricately designed locations. They connect either directly or through a network of underground communications, and the "Nerds," as the trio of characters are called, have their own base. Freedom of movement is limited by the plot — the player cannot go wherever they want.

For variety, there are side quests that are automatically picked up, as well as room for exploration — one might stumble upon a hanged couple, dead people, or zombie-like "moral victims" — a disease caused by "Joy."

We Happy Few has three heroes with intersecting but different story arcs:

We Happy Few boasts a highly developed plot—information about the game world and events can be gleaned from graffiti, notes, newspapers, books, phone conversations, and interactions with other characters. This can be a major motivation to replay the game.

The characters' personalities range from soft to rough; at times they act emotionally, and at other times—logically. The player sees all their experiences and sufferings, and is also forced to blend in with the crowd and not reveal their status as a refuser.

The writers tackled a number of serious themes: cowardice and the inevitability of retribution for it, the choice between personal safety and a future for society as a whole, the terrible consequences of decisions made, and ways to heal emotional wounds.

Throughout the game, the player will ponder questions—what is the purpose of "Joy," why do people exhibit aggression towards children while playing with doll toys and simulating families? The main storyline conveys that it is impossible to build a utopia on self-deception, as well as being an anti-advertisement for drugs.