Mouthwashing, a triumph in storytelling held back by a subpar game

So, I played Mouthwasing! This is the first game I’ve finished this year, and it was short enough to complete in about two and a half sessions. I’d had my eye on this one ever since I heard all the buzz surrounding it. After a quick chat in a Discord server, I decided to grab it and dive in.

I do need to caveat this, though: I played a good chunk of the game after having more than a few drinks (already broke one of my resolutions, but hey, it’s a new week!) and while super tired after streaming Fortnite with my wife and kid. I mention this because, honestly, a lot of the game went over my head. Unfortunately, I found it didn’t hit as hard as I’d heard others describe.

Truthfully, after finishing it, I felt… nothing. I think that was partly due to the state I was in while playing, but also because I feel like this story might have worked better for me in a different medium. Still, I think some of it just didn’t click with me. I ended up watching a YouTube explainer to catch the finer details, and some of the points rang a familiar bell. It’s definitely a game I need to replay—maybe with my wife—so she can enjoy it, too.

The Highlights

What I loved about this game was definitely the art style and overall vibe. The creepy, PS1-era graphics added so much to the horror experience. Honestly, I don’t think modern horror games with ultra-high-definition graphics hit the same. It’s always more about the world and how characters interact with it—or what abilities they lack. Resident Evil tried to reinvent the formula with more action-heavy games, but they thankfully returned to their roots.

The real standout of Mouthwasing, though, was the monologues. Two in particular—Curly’s and Swansea’s—really stood out. Both explore the grind of life in a way that felt painfully real to me.

<Spoiler warning of course>

Curly’s monologue about finally being the guy in charge and asking himself, “Is this enough?” absolutely shook me. It resonated deeply, especially when he reflects on his success and asks, “Am I figured out? Is this all I’ll ever be?” That line hit me hard. If I’m being honest, I don’t love the career path I chose. I’m a CPA, and I’ve been doing it for eight years now. I wouldn’t say I hate it, but I’ve resigned myself to it. It’s stable, it supports my family well, and I don’t have the guts—or the opportunity—to start over. I’ve made my peace with that, but hearing Curly’s words brought up feelings I try not to think about too much.

Then there’s Jimmy’s response: “And that’s bad?” To which Curly replies, “That’s what I’m saying, it’s not, but I think, Am I figured out? Is this all I’ll ever be?” That exchange struck a nerve. I’ve often wondered if this is all I’ll ever be, and even though I’ve accepted it, there’s still a part of me that wishes it weren’t true.

Swansea’s monologue hit me just as hard, but in a different way. When he talks about getting “a collared shirt, mortgage, a credit card, everything that could make a good man,” only to find that “the endless fucking desperation to get shit done… never felt as good as I expected when I crossed the finish line,” it stopped me in my tracks. I’m still relatively young, but I’ve crossed some “finish lines” in my career and life, and honestly? He’s right—they’ve never felt as good as I thought they would.

For me, the takeaway wasn’t quite as bleak as Swansea’s outlook (the best days of his life being at the bottom of a bottle). His reflection reminded me that the best moments of my life aren’t tied to my the grind—they’re the times I’ve spent with my family, not worrying about deadlines or achievements. The grind feels meaningless in the grand scheme of the fucked up capitalist world we have to live in, and that’s okay. It’s a reminder to me to focus on what truly matters.

The Low Points

The puzzles were where the game lost me. They felt way too obtuse, and when I finally solved them, the payoff wasn’t particularly rewarding. Maybe I missed some of the metaphors, but they just didn’t resonate with me. Also, getting lost on the ship is not fun, given the speed that the player character moves at. I got lost plenty of times just trying to figure out what the hell needed to be done. Honestly the whole "game" part of this game I thought was a low point. I didn't grow up on adventure games, so its really just not my cup of tea, and all the more power to people who do enjoy those games.

Final Thoughts

Breaking down Swansea’s and Curly’s monologues has helped me better appreciate the magic of this game. I still think it might’ve worked better as a book for me, but there’s no denying it left an impression.

It didn’t hit me as hard as Outer Wilds did a few years ago, another game I picked up on blind faith, but I’m still glad I played it. It’s a cool, unique experience, and I’m happy to have supported the project. Here’s to more new games in the new year!