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MONSTER

We Happy Few

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of We Happy Few
Item: We Happy Few
Author: Critik Editorial Team

2018

GenresAdventure, Indie, Action, Science Fiction and Futuristic, Shooter, RPG, Thriller, Single Player, First Person Perspective

AvailableAug 10, 2018

PlatformPC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4

DeveloperCompulsion Games

Overview

We Happy Few is the tale of a plucky bunch of moderately terrible people trying to escape from a lifetime of cheerful denial. Set in a drug-fuelled, retrofuturistic city in an alternative 1960s England, you'll have to blend in with its other inhabitants, who don't take kindly to people who don't abide by their not-so-normal rules.

Elsewhere

6.8

Game analysis

Monster Scorecard

EXPAND ALL

Story and Narrative

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

88%

Mixed (50-79)

12%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The opinions of the critics regarding the story of We Happy Few are generally positive. Many critics praise the game for its intriguing and unique narrative set in a dystopian society. The story explores themes such as alternative history, mind-altering drugs, and the consequences of conformity. Critics like Attack of the Fanboy, Easy Allies, and Game Informer appreciate the depth and rewarding journey of the story, with hidden side objectives and enjoyable missions. COGconnected and GameSpew highlight the cleverness and smartness of the alternative history, while FANDOM and The Overpowered Noobs mention the retrofuturistic 1960s setting and the protagonist's quest for escape. The narrative is often described as bleak, witty, and tense, with IGN and Trusted Reviews commending the flawed and misfit characters that shine a light on societal flaws. The story is also praised for its exploration of grief, trauma, regret, and redemption, as noted by The Digital Fix and Trusted Reviews. The storytelling is considered strong, with powerful environmental storytelling, according to GamingTrend and Windows Central. The narrative is also commended for its historical and political intrigue, as mentioned by GameSpace. However, there are some negative aspects of the story that critics point out. The Digital Fix mentions that the narrative feels halting and that important story beats are covered in just the first act. TheSixthAxis notes that while the story has enjoyable moments, it is not quite good enough to iron out the kinks. Metro GameCentral states that the story premise is great, but the game itself does not live up to it. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that We Happy Few offers a compelling and memorable story. The narrative is praised for its depth, world-building, and exploration of themes. The characters are well-developed and flawed, adding to the immersive experience. The story is described as intriguing, clever, and unique, with a good balance of wit and tension. It is commended for its alternative history, exploration of societal flaws, and its connection to real-world events. While there are some criticisms regarding pacing and execution, the overall sentiment is positive, with critics appreciating the storytelling and the game's ability to engage and captivate players.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Critics praise We Happy Few for its intriguing and unique narrative exploring themes like alternative history, mind-altering drugs, and societal conformity. The story is described as bleak, witty, and tense, with well-developed characters shining a light on societal flaws. While some critics mention pacing issues and unmet potential, the consensus is that the game offers a compelling and memorable narrative with strong world-building and themes.

Gameplay Mechanics

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

76%

Negative (0-49)

21%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The opinions of the critics regarding the gameplay of We Happy Few are quite varied. Some critics, such as Easy Allies and Game Informer, highlight positive aspects of the gameplay. Easy Allies mentions the light survival elements, unique character skill trees, and variety of melee weapons available for combat. Game Informer praises the tense stealth sequences, frantic chases, and desperate fights. These positive aspects contribute to an enjoyable gameplay experience for some players. However, there are also several negative opinions regarding the gameplay. Attack of the Fanboy criticizes the gameplay for being boring and derivative at times, with issues in the stealth mechanics and janky movement. DualShockers mentions that gameplay mechanics like crafting and procedural generation feel thrown in haphazardly without adding much satisfaction. The Overpowered Noobs criticizes the streamlined and unbalanced gameplay, mentioning issues with the menus and the need to constantly search for missing items. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the gameplay of We Happy Few has both positive and negative aspects. While there are enjoyable elements such as the stealth mechanics, combat options, and tense moments, there are also criticisms regarding the lack of refinement in certain mechanics, repetitive elements, and underdeveloped survival aspects. Some critics, like GameSpace, highlight the mix of action and stealth gameplay and the highly customizable difficulty levels as positive aspects. However, others, such as The Sydney Morning Herald, mention the jarring split between story-heavy areas and the procedurally generated open world as a negative aspect. The overall sentiment suggests that while the gameplay has its strengths, there are areas that could use improvement to provide a more cohesive and satisfying experience for players.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Critics have mixed opinions on the gameplay of We Happy Few. Some praise its unique character skill trees and tense stealth sequences, while others criticize its repetitive elements and lack of refinement in mechanics like crafting. Overall, the game offers enjoyable moments but needs improvement for a more satisfying experience.

Graphics and Visual Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

41%

Mixed (50-79)

59%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of We Happy Few are quite varied. Many critics praised the game's unique and intriguing world design, with its retrofuturistic 1960s aesthetic and vibrant colors. The game's art direction was particularly highlighted, with critics commending the combination of Art Deco and '60s psychedelia, as well as the period-appropriate clothes and expressionless white masks worn by the characters (PC Invasion, Gaming Age). The use of color and visuals, including the rainbow-colored walkways and the ghoulish appearance of Joy users and bobbies with searchlights in their helmets, were also praised (GameSpew, Metro GameCentral). The game's visuals were described as stunning, stylish, and with a powerful lighting engine (Windows Central). The character designs and models were generally well-received, with exaggerated body shapes and mod dresses adding to the visual appeal (Trusted Reviews). However, there were also several criticisms regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of We Happy Few. Some critics mentioned technical issues such as clipping, falling through the ground, texture popping, and janky character animations (DualShockers, GameCrate). Copy-pasted buildings and lifeless townsfolk were also mentioned by multiple critics (IGN). The game was criticized for its lack of polish, with animations being described as stiff (Attack of the Fanboy). Console performance issues, framerate drops, and poorly rendered textures were also mentioned by some critics (AusGamers, Press Start Australia). Overall, the consensus among the critics is that We Happy Few has a visually striking and unique art style, with a rich and fully-realized world that captures the essence of a retrofuturistic 1960s dystopia. The game's aesthetics, character designs, and settings were praised for their creativity and intriguing style (COGconnected, FANDOM). However, technical issues and lack of polish were mentioned as drawbacks, with some critics pointing out clipping, animation issues, and copy-pasted buildings (IGN, GameCritics). Despite these criticisms, the majority of critics found the game's Graphics and Visual Design to be visually appealing and well-executed, with a distinct charm and atmosphere that adds to the overall experience of We Happy Few.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Critics have mixed opinions on the Graphics and Visual Design of We Happy Few. Many praise its unique retrofuturistic 1960s aesthetic and vibrant colors, as well as the stunning art direction blending Art Deco and psychedelia. However, criticisms include technical issues like clipping and janky animations, as well as copy-pasted buildings and lack of polish. Despite these drawbacks, most critics appreciate the game's visually striking and creative art style, character designs, and immersive world.

Music and Sound Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

43%

Mixed (50-79)

57%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Sound Design and Music of We Happy Few are generally positive. The voice acting is consistently praised by multiple critics, with Easy Allies, TheSixthAxis, Trusted Reviews, TheXboxHub, and GameCritics all commending the voice performances in the game. They highlight the fantastic voice acting that brings the world and characters to life, with Easy Allies specifically mentioning the remorseful tone of Arthur after committing murder and the disconcerting broadcasts of Uncle Jack. The Digital Fix also mentions that the main voice actors do a fine job, further supporting the positive reception of the voice acting in the game. Additionally, Trusted Reviews and TheXboxHub appreciate the music in We Happy Few, with Trusted Reviews describing it as "groovy tunes" and TheXboxHub praising the soundtrack as "superb" and mentioning the great musical scene mixed with a strange distorted feel due to the influence of the drug 'Joy'. However, there are some negative aspects mentioned by the critics. The Digital Fix points out that the sections with young children have poor scripts and voice acting, which detracts from the overall quality of the voice performances. The Sydney Morning Herald also mentions encountering sound issues throughout the game, which could potentially affect the immersion and overall experience for players. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the Sound Design and Music of We Happy Few are strong aspects of the game. The voice acting is consistently praised for its quality and ability to bring the world and characters to life. The music is also appreciated for its immersive and atmospheric qualities, with the soundtrack being described as superb and enhancing the gameplay experience. While there are some criticisms regarding poor scripts and voice acting for certain sections and occasional sound issues, these negatives do not overshadow the overall positive reception of the Sound Design and Music in We Happy Few.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Critics praise the fantastic voice acting and groovy music in We Happy Few, with particular acclaim for bringing characters to life and creating an immersive experience. Despite some flaws like poor scripts for certain sections and occasional sound issues, the overall consensus is that the Sound Design and Music are strong aspects of the game.

Voice Acting

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING

Acting Score

Positive (80-100)

50%

Mixed (50-79)

42%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.

The opinions of the critics regarding the voice acting in We Happy Few are quite varied. Some critics, such as Easy Allies and GameCritics, have praised the voice acting, with Easy Allies specifically mentioning exceptional performances from characters like Arthur and Uncle Jack. The Sydney Morning Herald also commends the "beautifully British" voice performances and twisted characters, indicating that the voice acting is well done. These positive reviews suggest that the voice actors successfully bring the world of We Happy Few to life and add depth to the storytelling. However, there are also critics who have expressed some negative opinions about the voice acting. Metro GameCentral describes the voice acting as poorly-acted British accents, which they believe may be cringe-worthy for UK players. Attack of the Fanboy also states that the voice-overs in the game are not the best. The Digital Fix points out that while the main voice actors do a fine job, the sections with young children suffer from poor scripts and voice actors. These negative reviews indicate that there are some flaws in the voice acting, particularly in certain aspects of the game. Overall, the consensus among the critics seems to lean towards the positive side. Trusted Reviews highlights that the voice acting adds depth to the storytelling and plays off the concept of an unreliable narrator exceptionally well. TheSixthAxis describes the voice acting as fantastic and GameCritics praises it as wonderful, with genuine British English and actors who sound absorbed in their roles. These positive reviews, along with the praise for specific performances, suggest that the voice acting in We Happy Few is generally well-received and contributes positively to the overall experience of the game.

TL;DR

voice acting

Critics are divided on the voice acting in We Happy Few, with some praising exceptional performances while others criticize poorly-acted accents and scripts. Positive reviews highlight the depth and immersive storytelling enhanced by the voice acting, while negative opinions point out flaws in certain aspects of the game. Overall, the consensus leans towards the positive side, with many critics appreciating the genuine British English and immersive performances that bring the world of We Happy Few to life.

Technical Performance

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

52%

Negative (0-49)

48%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.

In terms of the technical performance on PC, the opinions of the critics were largely negative. Attack of the Fanboy mentioned a lack of polish and difficulty achieving a solid framerate even at lowered settings. Easy Allies experienced a wide range of glitches and performance issues, including levitation, clipping, and quest objective triggers not working. Game Informer also noted technical issues such as NPCs falling through the floor and a lack of contextual awareness. The Digital Fix went as far as to say that the game suffered from major bugs, with room interiors not rendering and objects not appearing, leading to missing out on world-building and quest progression. The SixthAxis even described the presence of experience-breaking bugs. These criticisms highlight the significant technical issues present on the PC platform for We Happy Few. On Xbox One, the technical performance of We Happy Few also received negative feedback from critics. AusGamers compared the console performance issues to the Nintendo 64 era, indicating significant problems with stability and performance. GameCrate mentioned frequent texture popping, janky character animations, lag, and occasional crashes, although the auto-save feature helped minimize progress loss. Metro GameCentral criticized the game for rampant bugs and glitches, suggesting poor technical performance and stability. The Sydney Morning Herald encountered a large number of bugs and performance issues, including sound cutting out and temperamental button prompts. These critiques highlight the subpar technical performance experienced by players on the Xbox One platform. The opinions regarding the technical performance on the PS4 platform were mixed, with some critics mentioning issues and others not providing specific feedback. Digitally Downloaded mentioned that their personal experience with bugs was relatively mild, but did not provide further details on technical performance or stability. GameCritics, on the other hand, described buffering textures, extended loading times, glitching NPCs, and multiple game crashes. Video Chums also noted issues with mission markers not disappearing from the map, long load times, and occasional freezing. While not all critics provided detailed feedback on the technical performance on PS4, the criticisms from GameCritics and Video Chums suggest that there were notable issues on this platform as well. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that We Happy Few suffered from significant technical issues across all gaming platforms. The game was plagued by glitches, bugs, and performance problems such as clipping, falling through the ground, texture pop-in, and framerate issues. The lack of polish and stability negatively impacted the gameplay experience for many reviewers. While some critics mentioned that these technical issues could be seen as part of the game's charm or were not significant enough to completely ruin the experience, the overall sentiment leans towards a negative assessment of the technical performance of We Happy Few.

TL;DR

technical performance

Critics slammed We Happy Few for major technical issues on PC, Xbox One, and PS4, citing bugs, glitches, poor performance, and stability problems like NPCs falling through floors and texture pop-ins. Despite some finding charm in the flaws, the general consensus is a resounding critique of the game's technical performance across all platforms.

Replay Value

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

87%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of We Happy Few are quite varied. Some critics, such as Attack of the Fanboy and Easy Allies, highlight the optional content and choices in the game, which allow players to decide how much they want to devote to the game. Easy Allies also mentions the upcoming sandbox mode and additional character DLCs, providing further opportunities for replayability. IGN also praises the variation and unique mechanics in each character's story, as well as the length of the game and the presence of side quests. These positive aspects suggest that there are enough incentives for players to replay the game and explore different paths and narratives. On the other hand, some critics express concerns about the replay value of We Happy Few. DualShockers and Gamers Heroes both criticize the procedural generation, stating that it adds little to the overall story, gameplay options, or mechanics. Gamers Heroes also mentions that the procedural generation lacks the level of character and detail required to help drive the narrative home. Trusted Reviews points out that while the game has varied and interesting missions, the token survival mechanics and tedious scavenging may hinder replayability. VideoGamer mentions that the game lacks compelling reasons to explore the environment and suggests that bug fixes and the addition of a Sandbox mode may improve replay value. These negative aspects suggest that certain elements of the game may limit its replayability and may not provide enough motivation for players to revisit it. Overall, the critics' opinions on the replay value of We Happy Few are mixed. While some critics highlight the optional content, choices, and variation in each character's story as positive aspects that contribute to replayability, others express concerns about the procedural generation, lack of compelling reasons to explore, and tedious mechanics that may hinder replay value. It is evident that the game offers a substantial experience in terms of length and additional content, but the extent to which it can maintain player engagement and encourage multiple playthroughs remains a point of contention among the critics.

TL;DR

replay value

Critics are divided on the replay value of We Happy Few. Positive points include optional content, choices, and upcoming DLCs enhancing replayability. However, concerns arise about procedural generation, lack of compelling exploration, and tedious mechanics limiting replay value. While some praise the game's length and unique mechanics, others feel certain elements may deter players from revisiting. The game offers depth and additional content, but its ability to sustain player interest for multiple playthroughs is a debated topic among critics.

Overall Verdict

MONSTER

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Monster Score

Positive (80-100)

14%

Mixed (50-79)

74%

Negative (0-49)

12%

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

Overall, the opinions of the critics regarding the Overall Verdict of We Happy Few are mixed. The game is praised for its unique world, interesting characters, and intriguing story. Critics such as Attack of the Fanboy, Easy Allies, and The Digital Fix highlight the entrancing world, exceptional voice acting, and well-crafted narrative. The setting and world design are also commended by FANDOM and AusGamers for being bold, adventurous, and memorable. The storytelling and characters are described as impactful and important by GamesRadar++. However, there are several negative aspects that critics point out. Many critics mention flaws in the gameplay mechanics, including questionable stealth mechanics, derivative gameplay, and lack of polish. COGconnected, DualShockers, and GamingTrend criticize the survival elements, combat, and open-world content as frustrating, sloppy, and tedious. The game's technical issues, underwhelming mechanics, and unnecessary systems are also mentioned by PC Invasion and GamingTrend. Metro GameCentral goes as far as calling the game joyless, confused, and not fun to play, with overcomplicated crafting, weak combat, and lots of bugs. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that We Happy Few has its strengths and weaknesses. The game's unique world, interesting characters, and intriguing story are praised, while the gameplay mechanics, technical issues, and open-world content are criticized. The opinions of critics such as Game Informer, GameCrate, and TheXboxHub highlight the fun adventure, compelling amalgam of structured story and freeform survival, and brilliant overall tone and characters. However, the negative opinions of critics such as Metro GameCentral and Gaming Age bring down the overall sentiment, pointing out the game's flaws in gameplay, combat mechanics, and technical performance. While some critics suggest that the game has potential and may be improved with updates, others recommend waiting for patches and lowering expectations. Overall, the general sentiment leans towards a mixed reception, with both positive and negative aspects influencing the overall verdict of We Happy Few.

TL;DR

Critics are divided on We Happy Few. The game is praised for its unique world, characters, and story by some, while others criticize its gameplay flaws such as questionable mechanics and technical issues. Positive reviews highlight the entrancing world and exceptional narrative, but negative feedback points out frustrating mechanics and lack of polish. Overall, opinions range from praising the game's strengths to condemning its weaknesses, resulting in a mixed reception.

MONSTER

Reviews

146 reviews found

Windows Central

Aug 9, 2018

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Despite the performance issues, We Happy Few is a must-own title for fans of survival open world games and quality world building.

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GameCrate

Xbox One

Aug 13, 2018

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

We Happy Few is a surprisingly compelling amalgam of structured story and freeform survival, recommended for casual and hardcore gamers alike.

Stevivor

Aug 16, 2018

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The reviewer gives a whole-hearted endorsement of We Happy Few and looks forward to continuing their journey with the game. They suggest that early access may have soured the experience for some, but it's worth reconsidering.

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Digitally Downloaded

PlayStation 4

Aug 16, 2018

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The review concludes that there's not much wrong with We Happy Few that can't be fixed with patches. It emphasizes the game's brave and poignant narrative, suggesting that its flaws become almost redundant in comparison.

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GamesRadar+

Aug 9, 2018

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The reviewer praises the game's storytelling and characters, despite some technical issues. The game's themes and world are described as impactful and important.

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TheXboxHub

Xbox One

Sep 12, 2018

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

We Happy Few lives up to its promise with a great story, fantastic world, superb soundtrack, and graphical detail. Despite some glitches and dodgy mechanics, the overall tone and characters are brilliant and extremely well put together.

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Game Informer

Aug 9, 2018

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Despite its flaws, We Happy Few is a fun adventure that combines an eerie atmosphere and a gripping narrative.

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AusGamers

Xbox One

Aug 20, 2018

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

We Happy Few is a fascinating game with ambition, charm, and memorable detail, but it is also scrappy and not without faults.

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Attack of the Fanboy

Aug 9, 2018

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

We Happy Few is far from perfect, with questionable stealth mechanics, derivative gameplay, and a lack of polish. However, it offers a unique world with interesting characters and places. If you can look past the flaws, it's worth a play.

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The Overpowered Noobs

Aug 10, 2018

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

We Happy Few takes inspiration from great titles and builds on them. The multiple character plots and settings are entertaining and fascinating. It is worth a look, especially if you enjoy survival crafting games despite its flaws.

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