We Happy Few

We Happy Few is a perplexing first-person survival action game where you explore a mysterious town full of doped-up, masked citizens. Set in an alternate future where World War II had a different outcome, We Happy Few tells three unique stories about characters who all want to escape their hometown. Played from a first-person perspective, the game blends crafting, melee combat, and stealth to mixed success, allowing the player to lean on their preferred playstyle. It might not be a perfect game, but there are plenty of reasons to check out this vibrant yet disturbing tale!

Main Game Features

• Three different story arcs
• Mix of action, stealth, and survival
• Procedurally generated game world

Story

We Happy Few is set in the fictional town of Wellington Wells in the 1960s, where the inhabitants of the city all consume a mind-altering drug known as Joy. Keeping them in a state of euphoric bliss but easily manipulated, the Joy drug has slowly begun taking its toll on the town. In the futuristic city, the authorities have become ever-present and free thinking is restricted. The game is broken up into three acts, each one focused on a different character.

First, there's Arthur, an editor at the local newspaper who stops taking his Joy and attempts to find his lost brother, Percy. The second act tells the story of Sally, a Joy-producing chemist who must create a new formula of the drug for the authorities. Finally, there's Ollie, a gruff ex-soldier who tries to uncover the truth behind Wellington Well's corrupt government. Each story is well-told and features interesting characters and scenes, which keep the player engaged in the action. Overall, the narrative is one of the strongest aspects of We Happy Few, especially for fans of alternate history and weird sci-fi.

Gameplay

In We Happy Few, you play as three different characters, each with unique abilities and powers. However, your goal is always the same no matter who you're playing as. In each mission, you'll explore Wellington Wells, evading the authorities and collecting items to use in your adventure. The game feels similar to other first-person adventure titles like BioShock, but with crafting elements seen in games like ARK: Survival Evolved. To avoid attention, you can either take doses of Joy and suffer the side effects, or refuse the drug and use stealth to sneak around the city. Whenever you run into enemies, you can either fight them with your fists or weapons, or simply run away and look for a hiding spot. All three characters can craft consumables and items by finding resources around town, with new recipes earned as progress is made.

Out of the three characters, Arthur is the most well-rounded, possessing a decent amount of health, combat strength, and abilities. While Sally has less health, she can use a variety of chemicals as weapons, which inflict status effects on enemies. Ollie is all brute-strength, so players who enjoy smashing through foes will definitely enjoy playing as him. Each character provides a refreshing take on the core gameplay, which keeps the game from growing repetitive over time.

Conclusion

Although We Happy Few doesn't excel in every area, it's a thrilling survival game with some fun mechanics and features. The colorful and demented world of Wellington Wells is exciting to explore, even if the outdoor areas become repetitive after a few levels.

Pros

• Bright and psychedelic visuals
• Interesting characters and story
• Open-ended gameplay

Cons

• Outdoor sections become repetitive
• Stealth and survival elements are very light
• Doesn't have a lot of new ideas