Played on an LG C3 55” OLED Display via Steam, AMD 7900 XTX and i9-10900k.
Publisher: Wrong Organ
Developer: Wrong Organ
Not long ago, I delved into How Fish is Made, a peculiar indie game that explored the weight of choice through its linear narrative. Its bizarre yet thought-provoking story left a lasting impression. Now, I find myself captivated by Mouthwashing, a similarly thematic yet profoundly intimate game. With its focus on corporate disillusionment and the fragility of human connection, it feels strikingly relevant in the aftermath of the global pandemic.
Mouthwashing places storytelling and character development at its core, with gameplay designed to amplify its emotional resonance. From the outset, it’s clear that player agency is deliberately constrained. Yet, rather than detracting from the experience, this limitation heightens the tension, creating an oppressive atmosphere that steadily builds as the game progresses.
The opening sequence sets the tone: you steer a ship toward an unavoidable collision, disable the autopilot, and then flee. There’s no way out as corporate propaganda begins to engulf the surroundings—posters, slogans, and reminders of your servitude pile up in every corner. Before long, the company mascot appears, an initially innocuous figure that grows disturbingly menacing with each encounter. Then, just as chaos peaks, you awaken weeks later. Everyone is shaken and a mutilated man lays unspeaking and unmoving on the medical room’s table, kept alive the ever dwindling painkiller supply. That’s the first five minutes.
Every moment immerses you deeper into the crew’s shared plight. The game masterfully captures the nuances of human interaction in a high-pressure, enclosed environment. From avoiding eye contact during tense encounters to sharing quiet, reflective meals, the relationships feel raw and authentic. The crew is a family—a fractured, dysfunctional one—but a family forged by the trials of life aboard the ship.
The cast is unforgettable. Swansea, the embittered engineer, wrestles with alcoholism. Anya, the overworked nurse, clings to a dream of attending medical school that seems increasingly out of reach. Daisuke, the exuberant intern, strives to break free from his parents’ shadow. Anchoring the story are the two playable characters: Curly, the ship’s captain, and Jimmy, his co-captain and closest friend.
At the heart of Mouthwashing lies Curly and Jimmy’s relationship, an emotional centerpiece reminiscent of Sam and Frodo in The Lord of the Rings. The narrative alternates between “before” and “after” the catastrophic event that defines the story’s central conflict. As Curly in the “before” sections, you experience heartfelt, often poignant moments that lay the groundwork for the crew’s camaraderie. In the “after” sections, you step into Jimmy’s shoes as he grapples with the crushing responsibility of leading the crew through mounting tension and uncertainty. Whether you connect with the game’s story hinges on how deeply you invest in their bond—it’s the make-or-break element of the experience.
One early scene encapsulates their friendship beautifully. Sitting together in a rare moment of quiet, they reflect on their choices, debate their futures, and share a heartfelt moment. It’s not a grand, cinematic moment laden with symbolism—it’s simply a genuine, relatable exchange between two friends. These quiet, human moments provide a poignant contrast to the escalating drama, making the story’s twists hit even harder.
The game doesn’t hold back in exploring dark and unsettling themes. Topics such as sexual abuse, schizophrenic delusions, and body horror are handled with care, raising the stakes while constantly challenging your perception of reality. The artistic direction enhances this unease. Drawing inspiration from retro aesthetics, the visuals blend PS1-style warped textures with detailed, PS2-era polygonal models crunched down to match. Characters feature exaggerated, cartoonish designs with a distinct 90s anime influence, making them both expressive and haunting.
The sound design is equally masterful, weaving together dissonant soundscapes, tranquil melodies, and dramatic tones to underscore every emotional beat. The result is an audiovisual experience that intensifies the game’s atmosphere and reinforces its themes.
In less than two hours, Mouthwashing accomplishes what many games with far longer runtimes fail to achieve. It delivers a rich, emotionally resonant story filled with believable characters, natural dialogue, and relentless tension. Every interaction feels deliberate, culminating in a narrative that lingers long after the credits roll. For those willing to embrace its intensity and vulnerability and don’t mind sacrificing replayability, Mouthwashing is nothing short of unforgettable.
If you are interested in other horror game reviews, please read my review of How The Fish Is Made! You can also follow me on Twitter for updates and Instagram for travel photos and in-game screenshots!
