4.5/5 ★ – ThePigeon's review of Mouthwashing.

This game honestly surprised me in the most pleasant way. I didn’t know much about game before playing it, only it’s one of these games people say you have to play. I got the game and played it one afternoon. The game is incredibly short, only about 2 and half-3 hours of gameplay. 4 if you really take your time and try to 100% everything. The game is very narrative focus with very few actual gameplay segments ( in my opinion there are like 3 actual failable gameplay segments, and the rest are linear puzzles.) The actual puzzles are incredibly easy, besides a handful that took me more than 2 minutes. However, that’s not why you come for the game. The story and the characters are great. This game truly is like watching a movie unfold, with complex characters and morally gray moments that make you question a lot. If you look up on YouTube any of these characters names I bet you there is like a 20-30 minute video essay on just that character (except maybe Daisuke). The story is trippy and truly uses the psychological horror genre to a good amount. There were moments where I was angry, sad, happy, crying. All in a 2-3 hours which for many games is a difficult feat to do in such a little time. Keep in mind this game is roughly the length of Chapter 1 of Red Dead 2 and still manages to convey so much. Ultimately I love this game and definitely one of my front runners for GOTY 2024, however my only gripe is that some of the gameplay segments were short and easy, and that’s perfectly fine. The game is not intended to be so super gameplay intensive game, its main focus is the story and its one of the best stories that I have ever experienced through games.