We Happy Few Reviews
We Happy Few was originally released in August of 2018 to highly mixed reviews. The game was a mix of its original survival genre roots interspersed with a well-received story. Bugs were frequent and it truly felt like a game stuck between two fandoms. One wanted the original survival game, and the others wanted a Bioshock like narrative-driven title. Two and a half years later has developer Compulsion Games been able to right the ship and deliver on their goals?
We Happy Few is quite a unique game. It tells a story set in alternative universe, where Nazis successfully invaded UK. To ease people's sorrow, Joy was introduced. We play mainly as Arthur whose work is to censor sad archival news. The game starts when Arthur decides not to take Joy for the first time... Or is it?
Review in Polish | Read full review
This is a preview of the preliminar version. I lose saves more than once times, the idea is great, the gameplay, original but bugs that make the game unplayable ruin all your good qualities.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Compulsion Games has been a victim of its own ambition. Behind a look capable of conquering the most painted, there are problems that are difficult to solve. Developments that change course often fail to come to fruition, and We Happy Few fails to convey to us what it intends to be. Poorly executed identity and mechanical problems, hidden by a disturbing smile. Sometimes, the good things are not always inside and, as it can happen with some people, the most satisfactory thing we have found does not lie beyond a beautiful wrapping.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
We Happy Few is a fantastic game but is not without its flaws. The combat and stealth leave you wanting that little bit more. Stealth, combat and crafting have a lot of potential but are implemented very minimalistically. The game manages to save itself through the delivery of an incredibly unique and almost magical world that will quickly make you forget about the shortcomings. From the spooky Bobbies to the drugged up citizens. We Happy Few paints a colorful picture of a dark world. When things are looking gloomy, you can always pop a Joy!
We Happy Few isn't the next BioShock, but if you're a fan of post-apocalyptic or dystopian settings and complex stories, it has something to offer. Too bad about the technical issues and overblown price.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
We Happy Few is a bad indie game masquerading as an AAA title. It’s not worth your time, nor your money. Avoid at all costs.
We Happy Few is, above all, a disorganized game with no identity. It was inspired by great games, but fell into a limbo of bad executions and left the fact that it's nothing more than a copy clear as day. The game had a huge potential to become a classic but threw that all away.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Pulling off a rich, expertly-weaved narrative for a dystopian title is no mean feat, and the team at Compulsive Games managed to do so. Buoyed by beautiful visuals but brought down heavily by combat mechanics and the hefty price tag, it would perhaps be more accurate for We Happy Few to be titled We Okay Few instead. Steam sale anyone?
Compulsion Games’ second major project was released to an indie horror gaming community that antcipated more than it got. We’re not mad, “We Happy Few,” we’re just disappointed.
Currently, the graphical hindrances do not derive from the overall enjoyment of the game. Compulsion Games is continually working to iron out the issues and provide a smoother running experience. Despite some minor problems, the game is an overall joy to play and well worth a playthrough for RPG fans or any gamer in need of a well-written bash.
As the hours wore on, my love affair with We Happy Few began to chip away as more and more bugs and gameplay shortcomings popped up. The real saving graces for the game lie in its concept, story, and setting.
Overall, the game could have been something amazing. Alas, that’s not the case. It stands between being mediocre and exceptional, making it feel like “meh”. You can still find some fun out of it, but that all depends on how you wish to take on the game. I personally felt like the gameplay hasn’t done the plot justice as it’s one of the more interesting ones in today’s current generation of games. So give it a shot if you feel like it and try to see what fun you can get out of We Happy Few.
We Happy Few is a brilliant concept in a world I’m dying to explore. However, the game’s mechanics and performance problems work against that which Compulsion Games have spent so much time crafting. The run-of-the-mill survival mechanics bog down the flow of the campaign and make uncovering the narrative’s answers feel like a chore. Still, underneath it all, it is hard not to find something lovable. Given time, tweaks, and patches, We Happy Few could rise above and become the game it was always meant to be, one that would not require a Joy pill to cover its blemishes.
We're not saying that We Happy Few is all style and no substance, but have you seen how bloody stylish it is?
We Happy Few is an interesting look at some of today's pressing issues in our society, all told through dark, British humor. The survival and crafting aspects of the game keep you engaged while you try and figure out what went wrong in Wellington Wells. Right now, the game is a bit buggy. But with future patches, We Happy Few will be a game that is worth playing.
At the end of the day, We Happy Few neither succeeds as a survival game nor as a plot driven adventure game.