Mouthwashing Is Currently the New 10/10 Game on Steam: Here’s Why

Mouthwashing, the latest psychological horror game from developer Wrong Organ and publisher CRITICAL REFLEX, has made a significant splash in the gaming community since its debut on Steam on September 26.

Within two weeks, the game has amassed a massive following, with over 1,600 positive reviews, earning the coveted “Overwhelmingly Positive” or “10/10” rating on Steam. This rapid rise in popularity has solidified Mouthwashing as one of the most highly regarded indie horror games of 2024.

However, what exactly propels Mouthwashing to achieve such a feat? Listed below is why the game is enjoyable to the niche of horror games:

Everything to Know About Mouthwashing’s Success

Overview and Premise

The game’s premise is simple yet compelling. Set aboard a space freighter, the Tulpar, players follow the crew’s lives after a catastrophic crash. Players follow the ship’s crew as they struggle to survive, both mentally and physically, in the wake of the crash. With their captain, Curly, severely injured and supplies running dangerously low, the crew’s only source of sustenance seems to be crate after crate of mouthwash, which only deepens the horrifying reality as it begins to fray.

As supplies dwindle and hope fades, the game explores themes of isolation, desperation, and the psychological toll of survival. Players assume the role of Jimmy, the ship’s co-pilot, as they navigate the crumbling ship, interact with the other crew members, and try to cope with the grim prospects of their situation. The ship’s corridors, once mundane, now pulsate with dread as reality bends and warps around the crew.

Adding to the tension, Mouthwashing employs a PSX-style aesthetic, which gives the game a nostalgic, retro feel that amplifies its unsettling atmosphere.

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Immaculate Storytelling with Eerie Elements

The crew…#Mouthwashing pic.twitter.com/pUpa7GdNDm

— Opus (@mindnumb_opus) October 6, 2024

One of the crucial reasons for the game’s success is its blend of psychological horror and immersive storytelling. Players experience a nonlinear narrative, jumping between different timelines to piece together the story of the Tulpar’s crew. This fragmented approach keeps the player engaged and guessing, making each reveal more impactful.

For non-spoiler context, Mouthwashing’s story begins with the Tulpar’s crew, a small group of workers stranded in space after their freighter crashes into an asteroid. The five crew members, Swansea, Anya, Daisuke, Curly, and Jimmy, are forced to confront their situation as supplies run low, with only crates of mouthwash remaining in the cargo bay.

For example, Swansea, the grumpy veteran, struggles to maintain order; Anya, the medic, becomes increasingly avoidant; and Jimmy, the co-pilot, cracks under the pressure of their dire situation. Meanwhile, Daisuke, the cheerful intern, stands as a bright contrast, his optimism slowly eroding under the crew’s impending doom.

As the narrative progresses, the boundaries between reality and delusion blur. Distorted corporate propaganda posters fill the ship’s hallways, and the appearance of Polle, the ship’s mascot, adds a disturbing layer to the unsettling atmosphere. Players are left to wonder if they are witnessing the crew’s descent into madness or if something more sinister is at play.

Surreal Horror and Visual Design

In addition to avoiding traditional horror tropes like combat and survival mechanics, focusing instead on psychological tension and the crew’s emotional unravelling, Mouthwashing’s standout element is its use of surreal horror. For instance, Players frequently find themselves in situations where reality distorts, such as hallways twisting impossibly, company mascots appearing in unsettling places, and glitch-like effects disorienting players.

The game’s eerie visuals, combined with hallucinatory transitions, heighten the sense of dread as the crew’s mental state deteriorates. This method of storytelling, reminiscent of titles like Thirty Flights of Loving and Paratopic, provides a fresh take on the horror genre by intertwining a human drama with increasingly bizarre and nightmarish sequences.

Besides other horror titles, much like Wrong Organ’s previous game, How Fish is Made, Mouthwashing excels in crafting a haunting, surreal atmosphere. The game builds moments that make players question what’s real and imagined, including glitchy visuals and impossible architecture reminiscent of an MC Escher painting. These design choices, coupled with a minimalist interface and the absence of combat, force the player to confront psychological horror head-on without the distraction of typical survival mechanics.

Closing Notes

Despite its relatively short runtime of about two and a half to three hours, Mouthwashing is a masterclass in psychological horror, offering an immersive narrative experience even after the game is over. With its nonlinear storytelling, surreal visuals, and disturbing themes, it’s a game that doesn’t rely on jump scares but instead builds an atmosphere of creeping dread.

For those interested in a thought-provoking, surreal horror experience, Mouthwashing is available on Steam for $12.99, with a limited-time discount dropping the price to $11.69 until October 10. With overwhelming praise and the promise of an unsettling narrative, Mouthwashing is a must-play for horror fans this Halloween season.

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