The Full Story of Mouthwashing Explained

“Mouthwashing” (Mouthwashing on Steam (steampowered.com)) is not just another space-horror game; it’s a profound exploration of human nature under extreme duress. Developed with a focus on storytelling and character development, the game places players aboard the Tulpar, a freighter spaceship stranded in the abyss of space after a catastrophic event orchestrated by its own captain.

The game mixes retro style graphics with modern storytelling, creating sort of a really unique vibe. The game itself is told in a non-linear fashion. Understand that spoilers are below.

The Premise

The Pony Express is a long-haul space shipment service, notorious for its grueling working conditions and archaic practices in an era where most organizations have shifted to automated deliveries. The Tulpar is one of their freighters, manned by a crew of five:

• Captain Curly: A seasoned and respected pilot known for his reliability and dedication.
• Jimmy: The co-pilot, ambitious yet burdened by personal struggles.
• Swansea: The experienced mechanic, battling his own demons.
• Anya: The underqualified medical nurse, trying to uphold protocols amid chaos.
• Dauki: The intern, a young and naive soul seeking purpose.

Their mission is a 382-day delivery, and they’ve successfully navigated 147 days when disaster strikes.

The Catastrophe

As the Tulpar approaches a large asteroid, the ship’s autopilot detects the imminent collision and attempts to adjust course. In a shocking turn of events, Captain Curly disengages the autopilot, leading the ship to crash into the asteroid intentionally. The once-reliable captain’s actions leave the crew bewildered and thrust into a fight for survival with limited resources.

Curly survives but is left severely burned and incapacitated, unable to communicate. The responsibility of leadership falls onto Jimmy, who must navigate not only the physical challenges of survival but also the psychological turmoil brewing among the crew.

Life Aboard the Stranded Tulpar

Post-crash, the ship is a wreck. The crew is forced to sleep in the lounge due to emergency expanding foam sealing off many areas to prevent breaches into space. Resources are dwindling, and tensions are high.

Pony Express’s disregard for employee welfare becomes glaringly evident through in-game posters and policies. The company imposes strict penalties on employees for any mishaps, deducting pay for injuries, delays, or even minor infractions like oversleeping. There’s no insurance, and workers are left to fend for themselves.

Character Dynamics and Descent into Madness

Jimmy

Thrust into leadership, Jimmy struggles with the weight of responsibility. His interactions with the crew reveal his condescending attitude, especially towards Anya. As resources diminish, his facade cracks, exposing deep-seated insecurities and resentment towards Curly.

Jimmy’s envy of Curly’s success and his own perceived failures fuel his descent. He begins to project blame onto others, refusing to acknowledge his shortcomings. His psychological unraveling becomes a central focus, leading to horrifying decisions that impact the entire crew.

Anya

Anya is diligent about protocols and the mental well-being of the crew, understanding the risks of isolation and stress. Despite her professionalism, she grapples with her inexperience and the grim reality of their situation. An intimate relationship with Jimmy complicates matters, especially when she discovers she’s pregnant, adding emotional strain.

Swansea

The mechanic, once sober for 15 years, succumbs to despair upon discovering their cargo is merely crates of Dragonbreath X Mouthwash. The absurdity of risking their lives for such cargo pushes him back into alcoholism, using the mouthwash’s ethanol content as a means to escape reality.

Swansea’s relationship with Dauki provides a glimmer of humanity. He sees a reflection of hope in the young intern, which makes his eventual actions all the more tragic.

Dauki

Dauki embodies innocence and optimism. Joining the mission to prove himself, he looks up to the crew members, especially Swansea. However, the harshness of their predicament and the crew’s deteriorating mental states expose him to the brutal realities of human nature.

Unveiling the Cargo

Breaking into the cargo hold after months of hesitation due to company policies, the crew’s hope dwindles upon finding only mouthwash. The mouthwash symbolizes the futility of their sacrifice and the company’s utter disregard for their well-being. This revelation accelerates their mental decline.

The Dark Unraveling

As the days drag on, the line between reality and delusion blurs:

• Jimmy’s Guilt and Madness: Haunted by his inadequacies and jealousy, Jimmy becomes increasingly erratic. His interactions with Curly turn sinister, culminating in a gruesome hallucination where he serves parts of Curly as a birthday cake. This act represents his desire to consume Curly’s qualities and erase his own feelings of inferiority.
• Anya’s Despair: Overwhelmed by isolation, her unplanned pregnancy, and Jimmy’s rejection, Anya locks herself away, unable to cope with the mounting pressures.
• Swansea’s Regression: Falling back into old habits, he becomes unpredictable. His protective instincts toward Dauki clash with his impaired judgment, leading to tragic consequences.
• Dauki’s Fate: Pressured by Jimmy to crawl through dangerous vents, Dauki sustains fatal injuries. His death signifies the loss of innocence aboard the Tulpar.

The Truth About the Crash

In a harrowing revelation, it’s unveiled that Jimmy orchestrated the crash, not Curly. Unable to face his responsibilities—both as a father-to-be and as a competent crew member—Jimmy sabotages the ship, attempting to erase his problems by ending it all. Curly, in a final act of heroism, tries to mitigate the damage, sacrificing himself to save the others.

The Final Hours

With most of the crew dead and Curly incapacitated, Jimmy’s grip on reality slips entirely. He constructs delusions to justify his actions, painting himself as a victim and hero. His internal monologue reveals a man incapable of accepting blame, consumed by envy and self-pity.

In a twisted attempt at redemption, Jimmy places Curly into a cryogenic pod, hoping to preserve him. However, the gesture is hollow, overshadowed by the horrors he’s inflicted.

Themes and Analysis

Mouthwashing delves deep into themes of:

• Responsibility vs. Blame: The game contrasts characters who take responsibility (Curly) with those who deflect it (Jimmy), showcasing the consequences of each path.
• Isolation and Mental Health: Prolonged isolation exacerbates underlying mental health issues, leading to paranoia, delusions, and breakdowns.
• Corporate Neglect: The Pony Express symbolizes companies that exploit workers, prioritizing profits over human lives, amplifying the crew’s sense of hopelessness.
• Jealousy and Inferiority: Jimmy’s envy of Curly’s achievements drives much of the conflict, highlighting how personal insecurities can lead to destructive actions.

Conclusion

“Mouthwashing” is a masterclass in storytelling within the horror genre. It doesn’t rely solely on jump scares or grotesque imagery but builds terror through the disintegration of its characters’ psyches. The game’s non-linear narrative keeps players engaged, slowly peeling back layers to reveal the true horror lying not in outer space, but within the human soul.

The tragic downfall of each character serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of accountability, the dangers of unchecked ambition, and the devastating effects of isolation. As players navigate this harrowing journey, they are compelled to reflect on the complexities of human nature and the thin line between sanity and madness.

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Have you played “Mouthwashing”? Share your thoughts and interpretations in the comments below.