Mouthwashing is a first-person horror game set on a derelict space freighter. The crew, led by the once-respected Captain Curly, faces a harrowing predicament following a catastrophic accident that leaves them stranded in space. Contrary to expectations, Captain Curly’s desperate decision has not led to a quick end but to a drawn-out survival scenario. The game begins with the crew grappling with the reality of their situation: isolated, slowly starving, and stuck with a severely injured captain who can no longer command.
As the game progresses, players experience the crew’s descent into madness. Trapped in the confines of the damaged freighter, the characters endure extreme hunger, isolation, and psychological stress. This is not just a battle for physical survival but a psychological war against hopelessness and paranoia. Interactions among crew members, fraught with tension and desperation, reflect their crumbling mental states and the disintegration of social norms.
The game starkly presents the reality of the crew’s situation: the ship’s life support systems have limited power, predicted to last only six months. However, their food supplies will run out much sooner. This dire timeline adds a relentless pressure to every decision made and every minute spent. Players must navigate these challenges while managing the crew’s dwindling resources and morale, making tough choices about rationing and priorities.
Mouthwashing excels in building a suspenseful atmosphere. Every corridor and compartment of the ship feels laden with potential danger. Players must stay alert to their surroundings, responding to auditory and visual cues that hint at both external threats and the worsening condition inside the ship. The game environment is designed to keep players on edge, constantly reminding them of the freighter’s precarious state.
The narrative of Mouthwashing is unforgiving, confronting players with grim scenarios that test their will to survive against overwhelming odds. The psychological horror elements are deeply integrated into the gameplay; hallucinations and delusions begin to plague the crew, blurring the line between reality and illusion.