High Smileson has you hanging out with snails, aliens, and other chill creatures, clicking places in the artwork to find calming stories hidden within.
The game’s aim is to relax you by having you spend some time with the main character, our pink hoodie wearing protagonist. Strange things seem to happen to them quite often, like being offered the symbol for Pi when they’re hungry, or hanging out with a crocodile wearing one sock (as below). It’s relentlessly goofy in its events, and a lot of surreal things just sort of happen. You roll with it, though, just savoring the simple happiness and delightful surprises that each day can bring if you’re a bit curious about it. I mean, how often do you get to go out for food with aliens these days?
To that end, a lot of the game involves clicking around the environments to see what will progress the story, or help you unveil new tales. You’re also looking for High Snailson, who tends to be lurking somewhere nearby. So, while you’re clicking to find your snail buddy, you’re likely to find some other adventure along the way. All the while, the game wants to teach you to relax and roll with things a bit more, and to be open to the strangeness that can come to you if you’re open to it.
While I don’t think I’m quite in a position to be as calm about things as the gang in High Smileson, I appreciated having a space that just rewarded me for being open to silliness in every moment in my day. I like that it gave me a realm where my worries aren’t so bad, and even a search for a missing friend can be a time to open myself up to the absurd splendors that life puts in front of you.
High Smileson is available now on Steam.
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