We Happy Few Quick Review

Setting The Scene

The game plops you down in Wellington Wells, a charmingly decrepit English town stuck in the 1960s, but with a seriously sinister twist. The citizens, known as Wellies, are absolutely obsessed with taking "Joy", a drug that makes them see the world through rose-colored glasses. Sounds idyllic, right? Wrong. Dead wrong. Because beneath the surface, Wellington Wells is crumbling. The infrastructure is falling apart, food is scarce (unless you count the questionable "mystery meat" rations), and anyone who doesn't take Joy – the so-called "Downers" – are hunted down and treated like lepers. Think Pleasantville meets 1984, with a healthy dose of Clockwork Orange thrown in for good measure. It's a real head trip. The game starts off by choosing one of three protagonists, each with their own backstory and unique abilities, trying to escape this nightmare: Arthur Hastings, Sally Boyle, and Ollie Starkey. 

Arthur is a censor who's suddenly hit with a wave of reality, remembering a deeply buried trauma and questioning everything he knows. He's the most "well-rounded" character, good for beginners. Sally Boyle is a resourceful chemist who uses her knowledge to survive and protect those she cares about. She's got some mad crafting skills and a knack for blending in. And Ollie Starkey is a former soldier haunted by his past, Ollie is a powerhouse, able to take on enemies head-on and even stop taking joy for long periods. Each character's story weaves together, revealing more and more about the dark history of Wellington Wells and the horrifying events that led to the widespread use of Joy. 

Gameplay Breakdown

"We Happy Few" is a roguelike through and through, meaning that when you die (and you will die), you start back at the beginning with a new, procedurally generated map. This adds a ton of replayability, as each playthrough offers a unique experience. The core gameplay loop revolves around survival. You need to manage your hunger, thirst, and stamina, while also avoiding the watchful eyes of the Joy-obsessed Wellies. If they catch you acting "suspicious" – like running, looking sad, or generally not conforming to their artificially cheerful standards – they'll come after you with pitchforks and rolling pins. If you appreciate good challenges, just like gambling at Betrolla, you will enjoy surviving Wellington Wells. 

The problem is, the game isn't perfect. It had a pretty rocky launch, plagued with bugs and performance issues. Despite these technical hiccups, "We Happy Us" is still a compelling and unique experience. The story, the atmosphere, and the gameplay more than make up for its flaws. 

Pros:

• Gripping and thought-provoking story
• Unique and atmospheric world
• Challenging and rewarding roguelike gameplay
• Compelling moral dilemmas
• High replayability

Cons:

• Technical issues (bugs, performance)
• Combat can be clunky
• Can be frustrating at times