This writer remembers seeing indie title We Happy Few for the first time at Microsoft’s E3 conference, some time ago now. It was the sardonic setting and plot that caught my eye: an alternate 1960s England where everyone is forced to take mind-altering happy pills. On point!
Since then it’s spent most of its time as a Steam “Early Access” title, with developer Compulsion Games receiving lots of enthusiastic feedback from the gaming community.
Luckily for keen followers of We Happy Few then, Gearbox is now set to publish a physical release on the 13th April for PS4, Xbox One and PC. To justify the higher price, we’ll be playing a full-length story campaign consisting of three playable characters and more than 250 unique encounters.
Compulsion Games’ Guillaume Provos said:
“Our team was humbled by the initial public reception to We Happy Few, and delighted to have this chance to make it bigger. Gearbox believed in us from the very beginning, and we think this partnership will make it possible to create the game that our community expects.”
The regular edition of We Happy Few will be priced at $59.99. However, if you bought the game on Steam Early Access or the Xbox One Game Preview Programme, you’ll get the full game for free. A nice move.
Pre-order from the Microsoft Store, Steam, GOG, or the Humble Store, and you’ll get access to the alpha. The alpha build that’s already out has just received a final, major update called “Life in Technicolour”. It improves the UI amongst other things.
There’s also a $149.99 limited edition ‘We Happy Few Collector’s Set’ that includes a replica Bobby mask, “You Look Smashing” Lamp, a vinyl soundtrack, and a Joy alarm clock. Perfect if you really, really like the game. Although it’s worth mentioning you don’t get a copy in this edition. Quite bizarre.
Here’s hoping the extra time spent in development, and backing from Gearbox will ensure that the game Compulsion Games has created is as good as that initial, joyful, premise.