Mouthwashing Review
Mouthwashing: A Gripping and Unsettling Exploration of Humanity’s Flaws
As an expectant father, I’ve been reflecting deeply on leadership, responsibility, and accountability. Amid this emotional introspection, Mouthwashing hit me like a jolt. This game, though mechanically simple, uses its interactive medium to deliver a uniquely harrowing and thought-provoking experience.
The game unfolds aboard the Tulpar, a long-haul space freighter grappling with the aftermath of a catastrophic event. Its story spans a year, weaving between timelines to reveal the grim mysteries of what went wrong. Without giving away too much, Mouthwashing skillfully balances dread, character development, and body horror across its brief but impactful runtime of two to three hours.
A Haunting Visual and Audio Style
Mouthwashing employs a PS1-inspired visual style, creating an uncanny valley effect that enhances its surreal tone. Characters look almost human but remain unsettlingly “off,” amplifying the game’s theme of dehumanization. The distorted sound design and limited voice acting further evoke a sense of disorientation, as though navigating through a foggy nightmare.
An Unsettling Narrative Structure
The narrative leaps between different moments before and after the disaster, immersing players in a dreamlike sequence of events. Even mundane tasks like opening doors or mixing drinks carry an underlying menace, making the ordinary feel deeply unsettling. The game masterfully captures how evil often masquerades as normalcy, creeping in through small, seemingly innocuous interactions.
As the story progresses, the actions of the Tulpar’s crew members grow increasingly abhorrent, forcing players to confront uncomfortable truths about human nature. One character, in particular, elicited such a visceral reaction that I had to pause and reflect on why. The writing highlights how deeply flawed individuals can inflict harm, whether through action or inaction, and how unsettling it is to recognize echoes of oneself in such characters.
Mechanics That Serve the Story
While Mouthwashing relies primarily on conversations and exploration, it occasionally veers into survival horror and first-person shooting mechanics. These sections, though brief, can be frustrating due to imprecise controls. However, they serve to heighten the tension and underscore the story’s darker themes.
A Deeply Affecting Experience
Mouthwashing isn’t for the faint of heart. Its exploration of bodily autonomy, flawed humanity, and uncomfortable truths is grim and unflinching. Yet, it’s precisely this unrelenting honesty that makes the game so compelling. For me, it also served as a mirror, reflecting my own anxieties about impending parenthood and challenging me to confront who I am in my worst moments.
Verdict
Grimy, unsettling, and profoundly impactful, Mouthwashing leverages its lo-fi visuals, eerie sound design, and straightforward yet powerful writing to deliver a harrowing exploration of human flaws. It’s an experience that forces players to face their darkest tendencies and consider who they are at their core – and it does so in a way only games can achieve.
