We Happy Few

75%
Game Brain Score Based on 6,617 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
We Happy Few Game Cover
I'll play more polished, bigger and more bombastic blockbuster games this year, but We Happy Few will stay with me long after its quests are over.
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In We Happy Few, set in an alternate 1960s England, players explore a drug-induced, dystopian society. As Arthur Hastings, a "Downer" who refuses to take the happy pills, players must navigate a grim world, survive, and uncover the dark secrets of Wellington Wells. With a focus on crafting, stealth, and survival, We Happy Few invites players to question their own perception of reality.

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Reviews

75%
Audience ScoreBased on 6,617 reviews
story1,769 positive mentions
stability599 negative mentions
  • story5,056 mentions

    The story of *We Happy Few* is widely praised for its complexity and depth, featuring three distinct protagonists whose narratives intertwine in a dystopian setting reminiscent of Orwellian themes. Players appreciate the rich environmental storytelling and character development, which often elicits emotional responses, though many note that the gameplay can feel tedious and repetitive, particularly due to numerous fetch quests and bugs that disrupt immersion. Overall, while the game has its flaws, the compelling narrative and unique atmosphere make it a worthwhile experience for those who prioritize story in their gaming.

    • “I've experienced the story multiple times and always learn something new.”
    • “The story is compelling and offers replayability; the game has a beautiful art style which perfectly fits the narrative.”
    • “The story is rich in dark humor and irony, and the characters are well-developed, with unique motivations and emotional arcs.”
    • “When it started focusing on the storytelling, the game's gameplay loop suffered.”
    • “The story is amazing, but the game is so boring.”
    • “The main story is boring and the survival, crafting, and combat are bland.”
  • gameplay1,833 mentions

    The gameplay of "We Happy Few" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while the story and atmosphere are engaging, the mechanics can be frustrating and repetitive. Critics highlight issues such as clunky combat, tedious survival elements, and a lack of polish, which detract from the overall experience. Despite these drawbacks, some players appreciate the unique mechanics and character perspectives, suggesting that those who prioritize narrative over gameplay may still find enjoyment in the game.

    • “The gameplay in We Happy Few offers an enjoyable experience, although the stealth mechanics can occasionally feel tedious.”
    • “Overall, while the stealth elements may need refinement, the engaging gameplay and innovative character perspectives make We Happy Few a compelling journey worth exploring.”
    • “We Happy Few blends survival, stealth, and exploration elements, creating a gameplay loop that requires careful resource management and strategic planning.”
    • “The gameplay is extremely frustrating half of the time.”
    • “However, it is held back by inconsistent gameplay mechanics, technical issues, and a sometimes frustrating survival system.”
    • “The gameplay is repetitive and often boring.”
  • graphics782 mentions

    The graphics of "We Happy Few" have received mixed reviews, with many praising its unique art style that blends retro-futuristic aesthetics reminiscent of the 1960s with a dystopian undertone. While some players find the visuals stunning and immersive, others criticize the game for graphical glitches, performance issues, and a lack of polish, suggesting that the graphics may not meet modern standards despite their artistic appeal. Overall, the game's visuals are often described as charming and engaging, though they can be marred by technical shortcomings.

    • “The game’s art direction is a standout, with a retro-futuristic aesthetic that combines the cheerful veneer of 1960s pop culture with the grim undertones of a dystopian society.”
    • “The graphics are wonderfully stylized, the voice acting and general audio cues and music support the visuals and worldbuilding wonderfully, and the storyline and dialogue are so good that they sometimes got a little too real and led to me needing to pause the game for a minute.”
    • “The art style is beautiful, dark and twisted but full of joy and excitement.”
    • “Terrible graphics, repeated use of character designs, sub-par mechanics.”
    • “The graphics feel very last gen and it's full of glitches and bugs.”
    • “The graphics are horrendously bad.”
  • stability612 mentions

    The stability of "We Happy Few" has been a significant point of contention among players, with many describing it as a "buggy mess" filled with glitches that can disrupt gameplay. While some users report that the game has improved since its launch, with patches addressing many issues, others still encounter game-breaking bugs and performance problems that hinder their experience. Overall, players suggest that while the story and atmosphere are compelling, the persistent bugs and glitches detract from the overall enjoyment, making it difficult to recommend at full price.

    • “Whereas the first area is almost bug free, you'd be able to freely enjoy the artistic atmosphere of the game and just soak in the British vibe it offers.”
    • “Looks beautiful and runs great on my system.”
    • “To my surprise, from the short time I played and the other reviews I read, it is not buggy, which is excellent.”
    • “At launch, We Happy Few was plagued with technical issues, including bugs, glitches, and performance problems.”
    • “The game is a buggy mess; I have experienced a lot of mission-breaking bugs, cosmetic bugs, NPCs randomly teleporting, and terrain issues with the procedural generation.”
    • “This game is a buggy, glitchy mess that reeks of inexperienced Unity development.”
  • humor278 mentions

    The humor in "We Happy Few" is characterized by a blend of dark, ironic, and often absurd British wit, which resonates well with players who appreciate its unique storytelling and character interactions. While many find the comedic elements to be a highlight, contributing to the game's charm, some critiques point to a lack of consistency in humor, with certain jokes falling flat or becoming repetitive. Overall, the game's quirky humor, combined with its dystopian setting, creates a distinctive atmosphere that many players find engaging and entertaining.

    • “The story is rich in dark humor and irony, and the characters are well-developed, with unique motivations and emotional arcs.”
    • “The comedy in this game is amazing and actually made me laugh a few times.”
    • “It's funny yet serious and very, very clever.”
    • “The humor feels forced and rarely lands, making it more cringeworthy than funny.”
    • “Most of the jokes fall flat, with only a rare one that actually elicits a laugh.”
    • “The attempts at humor are so awkward that they often detract from the overall experience.”
  • music267 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its beautiful and atmospheric qualities, effectively complementing the game's unique 1960s aesthetic. Many players highlight the soundtrack's ability to evoke nostalgia and enhance the emotional depth of the story, with some even listening to it outside of gameplay. However, there are criticisms regarding the repetitiveness of certain tracks and the limited variety in the in-game music, which can detract from the overall experience.

    • “The soundtrack is filled with unsettling tunes that match the game’s tone, and the voice acting is top-notch, with each character delivering their lines with the right amount of emotion and nuance.”
    • “The music is amazing, the art is just phenomenal, the story is gripping and dark.”
    • “The soundtrack is absolutely amazing, especially if you like bands like the Beatles since a lot of it is in that style as there's even an in-game band called The Make Believes that has a similar sound.”
    • “Disliked the music and honestly it was depressing to play in parts but not because I was connected with the story or anything worthwhile.”
    • “The soundtrack fits the game, but there is so little variety that it just becomes annoying that whenever there is a radio on, you hear one of two songs.”
    • “The musical score is so limited it ends up driving you a little mad… which could have played well into the game given the dystopian layout, unfortunately it wasn’t well done enough to seem intentional.”
  • atmosphere260 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique blend of eerie, dystopian elements and vibrant, psychedelic aesthetics reminiscent of the 1960s. Reviewers highlight the striking character designs, immersive world-building, and effective use of ambient sounds and music, which collectively create a compelling and unsettling experience. While some note technical glitches and gameplay issues, the overall atmosphere remains a standout feature that captivates players and enhances the storytelling.

    • “The ambient sounds also contribute to the oppressive atmosphere, whether it’s the cheerful propaganda broadcasts or the distant sounds of violence.”
    • “The atmosphere is the best thing about the game.”
    • “The atmosphere in this game is unreal and it's come a long way from early access.”
    • “The character design for NPCs is strikingly bizarre, contributing to an unsettling atmosphere.”
    • “They stripped away the challenge and atmosphere of the early access, bloated it up with empty filler (a completely empty island for example that was announced as a grand content update), and shoved the unfinished result out to the market.”
    • “As people say, it's a mix of Bioshock with no one lives forever in style, but after 5 hours I lost interest as the world has little to no atmosphere or interaction outside of missions; it doesn't feel lived in, so it has no immersion.”
  • optimization186 mentions

    The optimization of "We Happy Few" has been widely criticized, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including low frame rates and frequent bugs, particularly on higher settings and various platforms. While some updates and DLCs have improved optimization, many users still experience inconsistent performance, leading to frustration. Overall, the game's optimization remains a major drawback, overshadowing its unique story and aesthetic appeal.

    • “The DLCs fixed most of the optimization issues, though, since the DLCs were way more linear in comparison.”
    • “I got the game in early access and for a while couldn't play it (due to lag and optimizations) but the studio behind it has really done their all to get it working and now it runs wonderfully!”
    • “Stunning graphics, and good optimization (smooth ~70fps on an i7 7700k / 1060 3gb / 16gb / 2560x1440 144hz monitor).”
    • “At launch, We Happy Few was plagued with technical issues, including bugs, glitches, and performance problems.”
    • “The game is incredibly poorly optimized; I won't go into the details but you can tell the renderer is making way too many driver calls.”
    • “I really want to recommend the game; it's fun, but something about the performance is just horrendous. I can never get above 60 fps, and I have an RTX 3060 and a Ryzen 5 5600X.”
  • grinding174 mentions

    The grinding aspect of "We Happy Few" is frequently criticized for being tedious and repetitive, with many players expressing frustration over the extensive walking, fetch quests, and inventory management that detract from the overall experience. While the game's story and characters are praised, the gameplay often feels like a chore, leading to a lack of motivation to engage with the mechanics. Overall, players recommend the game for its narrative but caution that it requires patience due to its grind-heavy nature.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “Also, while there was no grinding involved, it felt so grindy.”
    • “The game’s survival mechanics can sometimes feel like a chore, as managing your character’s needs can become repetitive and tedious.”
    • “The objectives from quests tend to be always 500 meters away, which is tedious at the beginning when running raises suspicion and you have to walk to the next marker.”
    • “Unfortunately, as others have pointed out, the gameplay quickly becomes tedious – not just the fact that it makes you wander back-and-forth across the whole map just for the sake of it, but also the drug mechanic, which quickly becomes a massive pain rather than entertaining.”
  • emotional64 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "We Happy Few" is characterized by a rich narrative that blends dark humor with poignant storytelling, creating a compelling experience that resonates with players. Many reviewers highlight the depth of character development and the emotional arcs that evoke a range of feelings, from laughter to tears, despite some criticism regarding gameplay mechanics and pacing. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to create an emotional connection through its unique world and character-driven stories, making it stand out in the gaming landscape.

    • “The strange, alternate-history sci-fi world of We Happy Few is compelling in its storytelling, balancing its tragedy with occasional absurdist comedy timed perfectly to liven things up without detracting from the emotional impact of climactic beats.”
    • “The well-crafted flashbacks effectively build both the character and the world, deepening our emotional connection to the narrative.”
    • “The story is one of the best I've seen in years; I was really emotionally invested in the main character, which doesn't happen for me very often.”
    • “However, a boring story and weak combat mechanics make the game a big letdown.”
    • “Just no, bad combat and boring story.”
    • “Stay away from such a beta state game... vast open fields of nothing interesting... terrible game mechanics... boring story... not as quirky or as fun as it seems to be.”
  • replayability58 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag. While many players appreciate the procedural generation of maps and collectibles, which allows for infinite replayability, some find the experience can become repetitive, especially with limited character options and story elements. Despite these concerns, the compelling narrative and varied playstyles contribute to a generally high replay value, making it enjoyable for multiple playthroughs.

    • “Every time you start a new game, the map and all collectibles regenerate, which makes it infinitely replayable.”
    • “Amazing atmosphere, interesting story, and high replayability.”
    • “The replayability is high due to the random world and the variety of playstyles you can choose from (murder-boner rampage, max stealth non-lethal, max joy, joyless, or anywhere in-between).”
    • “The only downside that I can say is the fact that it can be quite repetitive to play the same islands/NPCs with three playable characters over and over again.”
    • “The worst part, however, is that there's no real replay value in my opinion.”
    • “Even with the regeneration of the environment, the game ultimately has low replayability as you can achieve 100% completion quite easily.”
  • character development28 mentions

    Character development in the game is notably inconsistent, with some players praising the distinct personalities and engaging stories of the main protagonists, while others criticize the lack of growth for the main character and the repetitive nature of NPCs. The character design is often highlighted as striking and unique, contributing to the game's atmosphere, but many feel that the overall character development is thin and could benefit from more depth and variety. Overall, while the art and design elements are well-received, the narrative and character progression leave much to be desired.

    • “I love a lot of the character designs and art in this game; it's a very cool mix of fun 60's fashion and style with that little bit of 'offness' from the dystopian sad backstory and the fact that everyone is 'snug as a bug on a drug'.”
    • “The three main protagonists each bring their own endearing personalities and qualities, and I found myself genuinely invested in their stories and character development.”
    • “Character design and story are wonderfully crafted, with some really interesting and hilarious dialogue to be found.”
    • “The main character is quite unlikeable and doesn't really have any character development at all - he is still mostly the same unbearable guy as at the very start.”
    • “The game never provides new NPCs, it never provides story, it never provides character development, and it fails pretty horribly at just being a boring game.”
    • “But it is to say that NPC character development and side quests are disappointingly thin (think of the soup).”
  • monetization15 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many reviewers labeling it a cash grab due to heavy reliance on advertising over quality development. Players express disappointment over the introduction of season passes and additional costs, suggesting that the focus has shifted from delivering a polished experience to maximizing profit. Overall, the game's monetization practices have left a negative impression, overshadowing its potential.

    • “It's just a hollow shell of a game and now it's another AAA season pass cash grab.”
    • “I can't believe how good the game starts, but then 10 minutes in you can tell they stopped putting love into the game, just another cash grab here so if you want to give them money go ahead, I heard they are probably just focused on that.”
    • “It was hyped, but it turns out they put more money into advertising than actual development.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

61% average critic score

Buy We Happy Few

Play time

23hMedian play time
33hAverage play time
21hMain story
66hCompletionist
7-50hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 84 analyzed playthroughs

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