Mouthwashing

Mouthwashing is a gripping psychological horror game that follows the harrowing fate of five crew members aboard the space freighter Tulpar, stranded in the infinite void after a catastrophic crash. Set against the eternal twilight of deep space, this narrative-driven experience delves deep into the human psyche when faced with isolation, desperation, and inevitable doom.

The story centers around the complex dynamics between the five crew members: Curly, the injured captain; Jimmy, the troubled co-pilot who becomes the interim leader; Anya, the ship's nurse harboring a dark secret; Swansea, the world-weary mechanic; and Daisuke, Swansea's young apprentice. As their supplies dwindle and hope fades, the crew discovers their cargo consists entirely of mouthwash, which they begin consuming for its ethanol content to survive.

What begins as a tale of survival quickly spirals into a psychological nightmare as the truth behind their predicament unravels. Through non-linear storytelling that jumps between different time periods, players piece together the disturbing events that led to their current situation. The game reveals that Jimmy, driven by the news of impending layoffs and the revelation of Anya's pregnancy resulting from his assault, deliberately crashed the ship in an attempt to silence the crew.

The game's atmosphere is masterfully crafted, with the perpetual sunset serving as a constant reminder of their isolation from the natural order of things. The claustrophobic corridors of the Tulpar become increasingly oppressive as tensions rise and sanity deteriorates. Players experience this descent into madness primarily through Jimmy's perspective, witnessing his grip on reality slowly slip away as he confronts the consequences of his actions.

Mouthwashing stands out for its sophisticated approach to horror, relying not on jump scares but on psychological tension and the gradual revelation of disturbing truths. The game explores themes of responsibility, guilt, and the human capacity for both survival and cruelty. As the crew's situation becomes increasingly desperate, players witness the breakdown of social bonds and the emergence of primal instincts.

The game's title takes on a grim significance as the crew's dependence on mouthwash becomes both their lifeline and a symbol of their degradation. This unusual element adds to the surreal nature of their predicament, highlighting the absurdity of their situation while maintaining the horror of their circumstances.

Through its roughly two-and-a-half-hour runtime, Mouthwashing delivers a compelling narrative that keeps players questioning reality until its shocking conclusion. The game's ending leaves players to contemplate the true nature of redemption and whether some actions are beyond forgiveness, even in the face of death.