The psychedelic horror point-and-click adventure Happy Game is currently free, 100% free to keep, for Windows—for a limited time only, as part of a Epic Store’s giveaway! Normally priced at US$13.13, this is a great chance to grab it for zero.
Happy Game is an indie horror adventure where a young boy must traverse three progressively more nightmarish dreamscapes in order to be happy again. It was developed by Amanita Design and originally released on October 28, 2021.
Among its many unique elements, the game features no clear narrative and focuses instead on mood and disturbing themes, brought to life through grotesque, surreal visuals inspired by dreams and nightmares. Subliminal imagery suggests troubled aspects of the boy’s home life, and the entire experience is laced with intentional dark humor.
Published by Amanita Design itself, Happy Game is available for Windows, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android. It was generally well-received by critics and holds thousands of “Very Positive” reviews on Steam, while sitting at 3 out of 5 stars on GOG—at least at the time of this post.
You can get the game here! There’s also a free demo version of the title here!
Trailer
Gameplay
Happy Game is an adventure game that recalls Amanita Design’s previous titles, but with a dark and grotesque twist. It follows a young child trapped in a vivid and disturbing nightmare, split into three main sequences—each one representing the search for a stolen object of emotional value: a soccer ball, a plush bunny, and a dog. These items lead the protagonist through distinct and increasingly macabre worlds, each with its own challenges and psychedelic visuals. Throughout the nightmares, the player also witnesses flashbacks from the boy’s past.
Gameplay blends exploration with environmental puzzle-solving. There is no intelligible dialogue or traditional inventory system; instead, progress depends entirely on experimenting with the environment: pulling, rotating, dragging, or pushing objects—often through trial and error—until something reacts or transforms. Small visual cues may offer hints, but the game demands attention to detail and a willingness to embrace the bizarre.
Unlike Amanita’s previous games, which avoided explicit violence, Happy Game fully embraces horror: dismemberment, blood, deformed creatures, unsettling soundscapes, and flashing visuals form the backdrop of each level. Amidst it all, a sinister figure with a red grin and glowing eyes haunts the boy during key sequences.
Controls are hybrid: the player moves the character using the directional input, but interactions are handled via a cursor—the boy often responds like a passive or haunted observer, reinforcing the sense of helplessness common in nightmares. Some sequences require quick action to avoid death, but the game offers frequent checkpoints and a level select option from the main menu.
Despite the oppressive atmosphere, puzzle difficulty ranges from light to moderate, making it approachable even for those unfamiliar with the genre. One of the most memorable stages features a giant, evil bunny, pushing the surrealism to the extreme. There is also an alternation between soft music and dark tracks, a style similar to that of The Binding of Isaac.
Happy Game offers an average playtime of about 2.5 hours and runs smoothly on the Nintendo Switch, both in handheld mode and docked. It’s a short, intense, and strange experience—well-suited for players looking for something offbeat and unafraid to explore disturbing psychological themes.
About the game
A little boy falls asleep to a horrible nightmare. Can you make him happy again?
- Brand new psychedelic horror adventure from the creators of Botanicula and CHUCHEL.
- Endure and escape three unforgettable nightmares.
- Solve deeply disturbing puzzles in (not so) charming environments.
- Deal with suspicious smiley faces and pink bunnies.
- Creepy songs and screeches from the Czech freakfolk band DVA.
Developer’s description of the content
Some people may experience discomfort or seizures when exposed to flashing lights, so if you are sensitive to flashing imagery, blood, or violence, please take the necessary precautions before playing. Happy Game essentially consists of the above-mentioned content.
In addition, the game features various fantasy characters involved in absurd, cartoonish violence. You’ll often see blood on the floor (on a good day), but you may also witness the decapitation of cute little bunnies and much more. Completely uncensored.
Note: Happy Game isn’t all that happy.
Screenshots
More info and adventure
Overview
- GET Happy Game HERE - Download link(s) or store's listing.
- Size: 747 MB
- License: Commercial
- Operational systems: Windows and Mac
- Developer(s) and/or publisher(s): Amanita Design
- Categories: Adventure
- Added by: Valewson