Everything You Need to Know about We Happy Few

Except for the fact it’s delayed again.

Contrast was one of the first games I played when the PlayStation 4 launched at the end of 2013, and since then I’ve been a massive fan of Compulsion Games. The dark, noir-style of Contrast has stayed with me, along with the narrative of a young girl’s elusive friend, who traverses the 2D and 3D world to solve puzzles. It’s truly worth playing if you’ve never experienced it.

Fast forward a few years, and now we have Compulsion Games’ new IP, We Happy Few garnering anticipation. Set in the drugged-out, fictional city of Wellington Wells in England in the 1960s, the game incorporates some of the same noir aesthetics seen in Contrast, but on a significantly darker level. It’s a retro-futuristic title that effectively combines some of the best elements of books like 1984 by George Orwell and games like Bioshock. 

Fast Facts: 
Developer: Compulsion Games
Available Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4
Genre: Adventure/Survival
Publisher: Gearbox Publishing
Engine: Unreal Engine 4

The Story:

The inhabitants of Wellington Wells are strung out on a substance called Joy, which makes them delusionally happy all the time. They want you to take this happy little pill, too, or risk the consequences. In this city, conformity will save your life, and fighting against it will prove to be a challenge (Joy is also in the water, so take extra precaution). The decision is up to you, but regardless of the choice you make, the game invites you to explore the dark history of Wellington Wells, a city that has been devastated by war.

We Happy Few offers three connected narratives for three different characters, one of whom is Arthur Hastings. Compulsion Games recently revealed more information about the second playable character named Sally. Arthur, Sally, and the third unnamed character are all linked by their secret rebellious nature against the creepily dysfunctional city.

Gameplay:

Compulsion Games stated that “no two playthroughs are alike”, and the city is procedurally generated to ensure this is possible. While “procedurally generated” may conjure up some long-buried memories of the clunkiness that was No Man’s Sky, there’s something about experiencing a dystopian, drug-infested city differently each time that has me a lot more intrigued.

PC Specs: