MISIDE
One glance at the concept of MiSide, and it’s easy to see why it grabbed our Most Unhinged Award. Normally, I don’t gravitate towards games with an anime flair unless I’m playing something light-hearted with friends, like Gal Gun, but MiSide truly caught me off guard.
The premise is deceptively charming: you’re drawn into a seemingly pleasant virtual world, only to find that leaving isn’t an option. The cute, colorful graphics mask a haunting undercurrent as you realize that the character, an enthusiastic yet obsessive presence, won’t let you escape. What starts as a whimsical adventure soon transpires into a slow burn of horror that leaves you increasingly uncomfortable. As her obsession grows, the environment around you begins to warp and shift, constantly keeping you on your toes. She demands you play video games for her or help her cook, all the while building tension and dread. The unsettling nature of your situation culminates when the lights go out, trapping you within her virtual realm. As you search for a way out, you uncover chilling notes that outline her obsession and her unwavering determination to keep you in her world forever.
What impresses me most about MiSide is how it cleverly juxtaposes a cute anime aesthetic with a deeply disturbing narrative. The contrast amplifies the creepiness, making the game a unique experience that lingers in your mind long after you’ve played
MiSide on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2527500/MiSide/
MOUTHWASHING
Oh, where to begin with this wild experience.
The premise of Mouthwashing is as bizarre as it is captivating: you and your crew of cargo deliverers find yourselves deep in the void of space, tasked with transporting an unusual shipment. However, tragedy strikes when your ship crashes, leaving you and your crew stranded with no food, supplies, or hope. On life support is your captain, a burnt husk of a man who can only endure his suffering with the aid of painkillers. As tensions rise and sanity wavers, you look to the cargo for a solution, and to your shock, it consists of countless bottles of mouthwash.
In a desperate attempt to survive, your crew has no choice but to imbibe the very liquid meant for rinsing and refreshing their mouths, leading to a hauntingly surreal narrative. The retro lo-fi graphics and an eerie, atmospheric score elevate this one-of-a-kind horror experience, making it an unforgettable journey for fans of the genre. Though it’s a relatively short experience, spanning about 2 to 4 hours, Mouthwashing packs a punch with its effectively creepy storytelling and unsettling ambiance. Crafting gripping horror is no easy feat, yet the talented team behind this game absolutely nails it. I found myself glued to the screen the entire time, utterly engrossed in the world and its characters.
As a sort of walking simulator, you’ll witness the horror unfold as you navigate your surroundings and complete a few simple tasks. But make no mistake: this game is as unhinged as it gets. There were moments when I had to cover my mouth in disbelief and fear, wondering just how far the story would go.
If you’re looking for a truly unique horror experience, Mouthwashing deserves a spot on your playlist. I can’t wait to see what this developer brings to the genre next.
Mouthwashing on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2475490/Mouthwashing/
