If you’ve been keeping up with your games digest, then you have probably heard of We Happy Few. Set in a drug induced sixties era, We Happy Few is a survival based game set with a utopian dream in mind. What sets this game apart from any other survival game is its narrative, its story. The game makes several references to the ability of us humans to conform, to ask no questions and anyone who defies this system, will be dealt with accordingly. This narrative reflects opinions of our social norms in society and this factor alone sets the basis for a highly successful title. With the game currently in early access, we got hands on to find out whether the utopian dream really is a dystopian nightmare.
The study of Melancholic feelings
The driving factor behind the speculated success of We Happy Few is its story and how it appeals to gamers. The story heavily focuses on on the theme of conformity and eliminating anything which was, in a sense, holding humanity back. Looking into the clues found in the alpha version of the game, society wanted to remove ‘Melancholic’ feelings, otherwise known as what makes us sad and depressed. The answer was found through drugs, known as ‘Joy’, creating a society where everyone is happy, so long as you remember to take your Joy!
So, why is this so interesting to us gamers? We Happy Few is the first game which challenges these issues which are found in real world society. We live in a world of social constructs, regulations and authority. We Happy Few gives us a gaming experience with the option to live outside this world. This theme of living outside the norms of society and being an outsider is an aspect which the gamer within me loves, creating a game where politics and games make a brilliant combination.
The will to survive
As well as having a storyline which is set to challenge our minds, We Happy Few also markets itself as an in-depth survival game. While playing the game, you will need to keep your eyes on your fatigue, hunger and thirst statistics, all effecting your character’s performance and health. The success story here is blending a compelling storyline with the popular genre of survival, alongside your political battle, your decisions and strategic planning will also come into play.
Just for the hard-core gamers out there, the game satisfies your appetite too, providing a thrilling ‘Permadeath’ option, which means when you die, you start the game again. This feature adds a sense of diversity to how you play We Happy Few. Gamers have the option to balance fun with slow progression through the game and the brave warriors amoung us can venture into permadeath mode. For the means of the game’s success, while it appeals to a certain genre, it will suit a variety of play styles. Infusing an intense political story with the infamous grind that comes with most survival titles.
Our ending thoughts
Having played the alpha and looked deep into the foundations of the games story, We Happy Few attempts to create happiness, while sacrificing our history. Gamers will explore a truly inspiring theme of political backstabbing and challenge the norms of society in their own analytical ways. While we are yet to find out specifics of the story, the exploration of a new theme within gaming is sure to guarantee success, appealing to all types of gamers. Come the game’s release, we will explore this dystopian nightmare, uncovering all kinds of history and battling a world ruled by conformity.
In We Happy Few, a country is happy when it has no history, it is up to us to dig it up.
