“Smile For Me,” is a very strange first-person adventure game developed by LimboLane, takes players on a surreal journey through a treatment center called The Habitat. The game, originally released on Steam in 2019 has finally found itself playable on consoles, presenting an unorthodox approach to the genre, with it having more in common with a point-and-click adventure than a typical first-person game. This surreal world and disturbing imagery, “Smile For Me” manages to tell a satisfying story in a relatively short playtime of under four hours. The game doesn’t overstay its welcome with its well-paced narrative.
The player takes on the role of an unnamed botanist who finds himself in The Habitat, run by a mysterious figure known as Doctor Habit. Patients are seeking treatment here because they say they are unhappy and need to learn how to smile again, with bizarre motivational posters plastered all over the facility, things are not what they seem. Many elements of the facility seem counterproductive to happiness in fact, and the surreal environment adds to the overall feeling of unease. The art style is equally surreal, with 2D characters inhabiting a 3D world, contributing to the overall atmosphere of the game.
The gameplay consists of finding items and giving them to the appropriate characters. Interaction with the environment and characters is mostly limited to nodding or shaking the head, making it feel like a point-and-click adventure game. Although some puzzles may feel obtuse, they are never too difficult to figure out. The diary in the options menu can be read to help players progress through the game. One of the standout features of “Smile For Me” is the cast of 23 characters. Each character has a unique personality, making them memorable in their own way. The dialogue is well-written and humorous, with a touch of off-putting imagery that keeps the player questioning what is really happening in The Habitat.
As players progress through the game, they will encounter Doctor Habit himself, both in real-life cutscenes where he is portrayed as a puppet, as well as in 2D form like everyone else. Without giving away spoilers, the interactions with Doctor Habit are twisted and disturbing, adding even more to the overall unsettling nature of this place. There really isn’t much else for me to say here, without me wanting to get deep into story plot points, but overall this was a pretty cool experimentation of the genre.
While I reviewed the game on the PlayStation 5, I could see it being better suited for the Nintendo Switch, given the gameplay mechanics may lend itself better to a portable handheld system. “Smile For Me” is an enjoyable and unique game that provides players with a surreal and disturbing journey through a treatment center like no other. The game’s well-written dialogue, memorable characters, and atmospheric design make it a standout title, as well as making this point-and-click adventure game playable in first-person. While the game may not be for everyone, those who enjoy adventure puzzle games and appreciate games that are uniquely different (even if it’s a little disturbing, but in a fun way) will find it a worthwhile experience.
8/10
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Related: Nick Navarro Reviews
Gaming since I was given an original Nintendo as a kid. I love great storytelling and unique ingenuity. When both collide in a single game, I'm a happy gamer. Twitter/IG @NickNavarro87
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