When a game opens with the line “I hope this hurts,” you know it’s not going to play by the rules.
Mouthwashing, the psychological space horror developed by indie studio Wrong Organ, isn’t just a story about survival.
It’s a meditation on guilt, manipulation, and what people become when they’re isolated in deep space with only mouthwash, trauma, and each other.
Below, we break down its haunting narrative, eerie mechanics, and why it’s become a cult sensation.
What Is Mouthwashing About?
Set aboard the Tulpar, a Pony Express freighter stranded in deep space, Mouthwashing follows five crew members after a catastrophic crash.
The captain, Curly, is left incapacitated and blamed by the surviving crew. As food and supplies dwindle, the characters descend into desperation—and worse.
You play through two intertwining timelines: pre-crash scenes through Curly’s eyes, and post-crash chaos through co-pilot Jimmy.
It’s not just about piecing together what happened; it’s about confronting how these people broke long before the ship did.
Nonlinear Horror: The Game’s Fractured Timeline
Rather than unfolding chronologically, Mouthwashing drops players into disjointed moments: “0 days before the crash,” then “43 days after,” then back again.
This structure forces you to assemble the plot like a puzzle, making each scene more impactful in hindsight.
It’s a mechanic that mirrors the crew’s psychological deterioration and keeps players constantly off balance.
Character Guide: Jimmy, Curly, and the Doomed Crew
Mouthwashing ! pic.twitter.com/9fTlDpiqYq
— puré (@komemerda) October 10, 2024
- Jimmy: Once a co-pilot, now the self-appointed leader. Charismatic but manipulative, Jimmy’s descent is central to the game. His decisions, hallucinations, and denial drive much of the horror.
- Curly: The true captain, rendered speechless and limbless by the crash. He becomes both a scapegoat and a symbol of passive suffering.
- Anya: The medic, the only woman on board, and tragically entangled with Jimmy. Her trauma, implied pregnancy, and eventual suicide anchor the emotional core.
- Swansea: A recovering alcoholic trying to hold things together. His final monologue is one of the most affecting scenes in the game.
- Daisuke: A naive intern manipulated into a fatal situation. His role is short but heartbreaking.
These aren’t just characters—they’re unraveling psyches, reflecting real-world abuse dynamics, complicity, and buried guilt.
Aesthetic Meets Atmosphere: Low Poly, High Impact
@luckyleftie on polle from mouthwashing
♬ original sound – Lucky
Visually, Mouthwashing embraces a low-poly, PlayStation 1-inspired style. But this isn’t retro for nostalgia’s sake.
The simple graphics create a surreal filter over grotesque events, making every distorted hallway and fleshy hallucination feel dreamlike and wrong.
Glitchy text overlays, jarring transitions, and grotesque imagery (like force-feeding human flesh) feel more effective because they’re under-explained.
Developer Vision: The Minds Behind Mouthwashing
Wrong Organ, the indie team behind the game, previously created How Fish Is Made and are known for blending body horror with philosophical undercurrents.
The devs have cited influences like Event Horizon, The Thing, and Sunshine.
Art director Johanna Kasurinen has said they wanted to show that “you don’t need state-of-the-art graphics to make something impactful.”
Gameplay Mechanics & Horror Elements
Mouthwashing is often labelled a walking simulator, but it goes further.
Objectives appear unexpectedly, leading players toward emotional or moral shocks rather than practical solutions.
Puzzles range from logical to dream-logic weird. The gameplay serves the story—and your sense of unease.
There’s no combat. The enemy is the ship’s failing structure and the characters’ unraveling minds.
Hallucinations, such as being chased by a horse mascot or reenacting a birthday party with corpses, evoke dread without the need for jump scares.
The Pros of Playing Mouthwashing
- A Fresh Approach to Horror: Subtle psychological scares replace clichéd jump scares, making for a more cerebral experience.
- Character Depth: Each crew member—from the affable Daisuke to the morally ambiguous Jimmy—is richly developed.
- Art Direction: Nostalgic low-poly graphics heighten the game’s unsettling charm.
- Cultural Relevance: Themes of workplace dynamics and corporate greed resonate with today’s audience.
The Cons to Consider
- Narrative Pacing: Nonlinear storytelling might confuse some players, especially those new to psychological horror.
- Simplistic Gameplay: The lack of challenging puzzles or action elements can feel like missed opportunities.
- Short Length: While impactful, the brief campaign may leave players craving more depth.
Reception and Reviews: Why Mouthwashing Matters
@kkoiiokk #ANYA || anya might be me at board games || #anya #anyaedit #anyamouthwashing #anyamouthwashingedit #anyamouthwashingdeath #anyamouthwashingpov #anyamouthwashingmeme #mouthwashing #mouthwashington #mouthwashinggame #mouthwashinghorror #mouthwashinganya #mouthwashinganyaedit ♬ original sound – <Koi>
The game debuted on Steam in September 2024 and quickly earned an “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating. Critics praised it for its brave storytelling and unique visual identity.
@luckyleftie on polle from mouthwashing
♬ original sound – Lucky
TechRadar called it “one of the most disturbing, unforgettable horror experiences in recent years,” while Bloody Disgusting lauded its nonlinear structure and bleak emotional weight.
Mouthwashing was also nominated for Game of the Year at the 2024 Indie Game Awards.
Its reach is expanding to consoles in 2025 (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch), introducing its unsettling story to a broader audience.
Is Mouthwashing Worth the Hype?
Mouthwashing doesn’t rely on monsters hiding in vents. It forces players to witness moral rot up close.
It’s a game that sticks with you not because of how it looks, but because of what it makes you confront.
If you’re into psychological horror that dares to be structurally bold and thematically heavy, this is one for the cryopod.