Mouthwashing

About

Mouthwashing is a single player action game with a horror theme. It was developed by Martin Halldin and was released on February 5, 2024. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"Mouthwashing" is a first-person horror game set on the stranded space freighter Tulpar. The crew, including Captain Curly, are injured and running out of resources, with little hope of rescue. As the situation becomes increasingly dire, the crew must confront the horrors of their new reality and the dark secrets of their captain.

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Play Modes

Single-Player

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96%

Audience ScoreBased on 24,134 reviews

story3.4k positive mentions

grinding91 negative mentions

The atmosphere of 'Mouthwashing' is immersive and unsettling, effectively utilizing retro graphics and sound design to create a sense of dread and claustrophobia.
The game's storytelling and character development evoke strong emotional responses, with a deeply engaging narrative that explores themes of guilt and psychological unraveling.
The unique blend of dark humor and horror, along with exceptional music and sound design, enhances the overall experience, making it a standout title in the indie horror genre.

The gameplay is primarily a walking simulator with minimal interactivity, leading to a short experience that lacks depth and replay value.
Character development is inconsistent, with many characters feeling archetypal and lacking sufficient depth, which detracts from key narrative moments.
The humor often falls flat and can feel forced or juvenile, overshadowing the more serious themes of the game.

story
7,648 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
53%
2%
The story of "Mouthwashing" is a deeply engaging and haunting narrative that explores themes of guilt, responsibility, and the psychological unraveling of its characters, set against the backdrop of a stranded spaceship. Players experience a non-linear storytelling approach, revealing the tragic fates of the crew through fragmented timelines and character perspectives, which enhances the emotional weight of the narrative. While the gameplay is minimal, the compelling story and rich character development make it a memorable experience that resonates long after completion.
- “It’s rot and regret made playable — a story that seeps into you, rusts your bones, and won’t wash off for days.”
- “The graphics, transitions, music, characterization, and story beats all impressed me deeply in just this one playthrough — they came together to leave something more than a lasting impression.”
- “The story both surprised me with its twists along with having me hooked as I was dying to know exactly how the events of the story happened from its non-linear storytelling approach.”
- “The story is a bit utterly disturbing and disgusting, but it was a very twisted story.”
- “The main plot revolves around the male protagonist raping and impregnating a female coworker called Anya and failing to take responsibility for his actions while his friend (and boss) sweeps the situation under the rug.”
- “The developers don't care about her aside from using her as a plot device.”
graphics
1,769 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
52%
2%
The graphics of "Mouthwashing" have received widespread acclaim for their unique low-poly, retro aesthetic reminiscent of PS1-era games, which effectively enhances the game's unsettling atmosphere. Reviewers appreciate how the intentionally dated visuals contribute to the horror experience, creating a sense of nostalgia while also amplifying the psychological tension of the narrative. The combination of striking visuals, sound design, and storytelling has made a lasting impression on players, solidifying the game's status as a standout in the indie horror genre.
- “The game's low-poly graphics and on-point sound design evoke the environment of late 90s horror-adventure games, and rather than feeling gimmicky, further crafts a unique ambiance that's able to capitalize on low resources.”
- “The visuals lean into a lo-fi, PS1-inspired style that’s jarring in all the right ways — distorted textures, glitches, sudden visual shifts that amplify the horror.”
- “The art style is unique, the characters are beautifully written, and the story is horrifically compelling.”
- “The graphics are 'stylistically' outdated.”
- “The graphics are poor, there’s no voiceovers, and it’s hard to follow the story.”
- “The last 25% of the game goes overboard with the surreal imagery until it stops feeling like it serves a point and begins to feel like repetition for the sake of having more strange visuals.”
gameplay
1,399 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
72%
8%
The gameplay of "Mouthwashing" is primarily a walking simulator with minimal interactivity, focusing heavily on narrative and character development rather than complex mechanics. Players can expect a short experience, typically around 2-3 hours, with some segments that introduce light puzzles and tense moments, though many find these gameplay elements to be clunky or frustrating. Overall, while the gameplay serves as a vehicle for the story, it often lacks depth and can detract from the immersive experience that the narrative aims to deliver.
- “Incredible art, mechanically intense moments when the narrative necessitates.”
- “While the gameplay of Mouthwashing is simple, the story is anything but and is easily the best part of this game, it'll keep you hooked through to the end and does an excellent job building tension as things become more and more dire.”
- “The gameplay constantly keeps you on your toes, presenting you with new challenges that engage and fascinate.”
- “There's also little to no actual gameplay here.”
- “The gameplay consists of walking around slowly for 2 hours; it's much too short to justify its price tag.”
- “The gameplay is consistently the weakest part of the experience and even diminishes the impact of some scenes.”
atmosphere
883 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
42%
1%
The atmosphere of "Mouthwashing" is widely praised for its immersive and unsettling qualities, effectively utilizing retro graphics and sound design to create a sense of dread and claustrophobia. Players appreciate the game's ability to evoke emotional responses through its storytelling and character development, often highlighting the absence of cheap jump scares in favor of a more psychologically driven horror experience. Overall, the game is noted for its compelling atmosphere that enhances the narrative, making it a standout title in the psychological horror genre.
- “The atmosphere is suffocating in the best way possible—being stranded with the tulpar’s crew feels like slowly unraveling inside a nightmare you can’t wake up from.”
- “From the first segment, its meticulously crafted atmosphere wraps around you like a suffocating blanket, making every whispered noise and flickering light a source of genuine terror.”
- “The atmosphere is incredible, the sound design is top notch and the pacing is erratic in a good way.”
- “The characters are all bland and uninteresting, with childish and cringy writing that immediately ruins any source of atmosphere the game creates.”
- “I was also somewhat put off by the overall atmosphere of the game.”
- “The atmosphere can become eerie at points, but it's really not that scary.”
emotional
768 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "Mouthwashing" is overwhelmingly impactful, with players reporting a wide range of feelings from deep sadness and discomfort to moments of genuine joy and connection with the characters. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to evoke tears and introspection, often leaving players feeling emotionally drained yet profoundly moved by its storytelling and character development. The narrative's exploration of dark themes, combined with its unique horror elements, creates a haunting experience that resonates long after the game is completed.
- “This game is an emotional roller coaster.”
- “The story is heartbreaking, each piece of new information hits like a truck, but I couldn't help but keep going.”
- “Mouthwashing is a short, unique, emotionally devastating game about five people trapped on a crashed spaceship.”
- “Buy at like 90% off; the game is just a gimmick, a compilation of really short and some cool different gameplay features mashed into a single game with no replay value. It's not groundbreaking in any way, with a boring story and some cool effects, and that's it—just a cool way to waste 2 hours.”
music
611 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
42%
1%
The music in the game has been widely praised for its exceptional quality and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many reviewers highlighting its haunting and immersive qualities. The soundtrack effectively complements the game's emotional and psychological themes, creating a deeply engaging experience that resonates with players long after they finish. Overall, the combination of well-crafted sound design and a memorable score contributes significantly to the game's impact, making it a standout feature.
- “The soundtrack is more than just music; it's an auditory descent into madness that perfectly complements the game's unsettling visuals, bringing a nostalgic feeling of the PSX era.”
- “The music is stunning, beautifully composed, and for once in years, I actually felt unsettled from a video game due to the atmosphere it portrayed.”
- “The atmosphere, the music, everything about it all plays so well with its story.”
- “The soundtrack is more than just music; it's an auditory descent into madness that perfectly complements the game's unsettling visuals and brings a nostalgic feeling of the PSX era.”
- “The music and sound design sent chills down my spine, and the nostalgic early PlayStation-era graphics really add a lot of charm.”
- “The soundtrack is subtle but effective, often fading in and out like an intrusive memory, further enhancing the game’s psychological horror elements.”
humor
134 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
2%
The humor in the game is described as a blend of dark, absurd, and quirky elements, often juxtaposed against disturbing themes and narratives. Players appreciate the clever writing and comedic moments that provide levity amidst the horror, with many noting that the humor can be both unsettling and poignant. Overall, the game successfully balances its serious undertones with moments of genuine hilarity, making for a unique and engaging experience.
- “The atmosphere is amazing and keeps shifting between morbidly funny, genuinely disturbing, and tragic.”
- “Mouthwashing is a perfect blend of dark humor and disaster.”
- “The game effectively blends horror with dark humor, creating an unsettling yet engaging experience.”
- “The humor in this game falls flat and often feels forced, making it more cringeworthy than funny.”
- “I expected some clever jokes, but instead, the humor is juvenile and lacks any real wit.”
- “The attempts at humor often come off as insensitive, overshadowing any potential laughs.”
grinding
103 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
9%
88%
Overall, the reviews highlight that the grinding aspect of the game is often perceived as tedious and frustrating, with many players noting that certain gameplay segments, particularly stealth and puzzle sections, detract from the overall experience. While the narrative and visuals are praised, the repetitive and drawn-out mechanics lead to a sense of boredom, making it difficult for some players to fully enjoy the game. Despite its artistic merits, the gameplay frequently feels like a chore, overshadowing the more engaging elements of the story.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The gameplay sections are undeniably tedious and boring.”
- “The game is extremely tedious to play, and the visuals are probably the only real saving grace that the game has.”
- “The end of the game really dragged on and I (probably) see what they were going for, but it was very tedious.”
replayability
92 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
58%
26%
Overall, the game has been criticized for its lack of replayability, with many reviewers noting that it offers little incentive to play again after completing the short 2-3 hour campaign. While some players appreciate the storytelling and atmosphere, they feel that the linear nature and minimal gameplay mechanics limit the game's replay value, making it primarily a one-time experience unless one is interested in achievement hunting.
- “Great replay value as well; if you haven't already been spoiled, there will guaranteed be things you missed on the first go-through.”
- “Even though the game mechanics are somewhat simple, there are a lot of details and dots to connect that you may miss the first time around, so I think it has good replay value, especially considering how short it is to play through.”
- “The developers did an awesome job at throwing in symbolic objects, metaphors, allusions, and foreshadowing throughout the game, which makes the game replayable to find stuff you miss.”
- “Honestly, it's kinda hard to justify purchasing this game with how short it is and how little replay value it has.”
- “Besides some rather cheap and uninteresting achievements, the game offers no replay value, and with its relatively short playtime of three hours, this game is rather disappointing and doesn't live up to the hype of its overwhelmingly positive review status.”
- “It has little to no replay value and is a one-and-done kind of deal.”
character development
90 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
54%
3%
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the depth and emotional resonance of certain characters, particularly Daisuke and his impactful relationships. However, some players felt that many characters were archetypal and lacked sufficient development, leading to a disconnect during key narrative moments. Overall, while the character design and writing are often highlighted as strong points, there is a consensus that the game could benefit from more extensive character exploration to enhance player connection and engagement.
- “I loved Daisuke; his character was amazing, his character development was amazing, and his relationship with Swansea was so impactful.”
- “The character development is amazing and it really makes you think deeply about the plot and everything that happened with the Tulpar crew.”
- “Amazing game overall, the character development and direction it goes is both impactful and hard to forget; time-wise, it is only a few hours.”
- “Perhaps with more character development, I would have felt more connected to the twists and shocking moments, but the characters just felt like archetypes.”
- “The game had potential with its PS1 atmosphere, but just had a shallow story, absent character development, and very drawn-out 'I'm 13 and this is deep' moments which make you get past the 2-hour playtime I felt.”
- “Not too engaging, mediocre character development, and does not really wrestle with any greater message in a meaningful way.”
stability
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
94%
The game's stability is characterized by intentional visual glitches and abrupt transitions that enhance the horror experience, though some players report issues with buggy achievements and occasional freezes. While the performance is generally solid, the game's design choices can lead to confusion about whether the game is unresponsive or simply progressing. Overall, the unique use of glitches contributes to the atmosphere, but achievement hunters may find some frustration due to inconsistencies.
- “The graphics and art style look pleasing, and it runs great while at it (which is surprising in the current year somehow).”
- “It runs great, has no apparent technical issues, and you can finish the story in just a couple of hours.”
- “I mean the game intentionally glitches and stops dead in its tracks, sometimes when you least expect it.”
- “A little short, and the sudden freezes to load the next chapter do not look good at all.”
- “Lastly, I would like to mention that, coherently with my previous point, the game is an absolute hell to achievement hunt for: it requires the unfinished and buggy developer menu, the achievements can't be solved without online help and sometimes they don't even want to trigger when you do them, it's a mess.”
optimization
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
45%
15%
Overall, the game's optimization is generally solid, running smoothly on most devices with minimal bugs or glitches, though some players report occasional performance dips and stuttering. While it is well-optimized for low-end computers, certain graphical elements, such as low resolution and lack of facial expressions, detract from the visual experience. Despite these minor issues, the gameplay remains engaging and enjoyable, making it a worthwhile experience for players.
- “Performance was solid throughout and didn't run into any bugs or glitches.”
- “Overall gameplay is nice, everything feels right, controls are not clunky, no performance issues, everything just works.”
- “An indie game with PS1 graphics that's actually optimized for low-end computers?”
- “I'm not sure if it's an optimization issue or what, but worth noting, and I hope updates are able to alleviate this somewhat.”
- “Aside from some slightly poor optimization and performance dips, especially in the horse monster section, mouthwashing is an absolutely phenomenal experience that everyone should play.”
- “The game isn't optimized for it and will blind you with a horrible flashing rainbow light.”
monetization
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
16%
67%
The monetization aspect of the game is generally viewed positively, with players appreciating the absence of excessive microtransactions and the focus on a compelling experience rather than a cash grab. The game's unique aesthetic and engaging atmosphere are highlighted as strengths, contrasting it with typical AAA titles that often rely on monetization strategies. Overall, players feel that the game successfully delivers value without resorting to exploitative practices.
- “My god, this was better than any AAA title (with loads of microtransactions) that I've played in a long, long time.”
- “Microtransactions - in-game purchases.”
- “This game shows how you do not need 200 hours of playtime, microtransactions, AAA graphics, or companies like Sweet Baby Inc.”
- “Coming from the entertainment background myself, I see the steady decline into unfulfilling, cash grab narratives more and more.”
- “It's better for them to be able to profit on this than not, and there was still a fair bit of effort put in, making it distinct enough from an actual cash grab like Garten of Banban.”