HappyFunland is a virtual reality game that transports you to a theme park of the same name an adult, dark parody of Disneyworld. Far from being a magical place for children, this abandoned park hides secrets, dark humor, and an atmosphere that’s as grotesque as it is intriguing.
You play as a nameless protagonist who accepts a random job found in the newspaper. The task seems simple: record what’s happening inside the park, which has been shut down since the 1970s due to mysterious incidents. Upon arrival, you meet a young man who explains the situation including how he lost his legs to a crocodile attack and hands you a camera you must wear on your head before escorting you to the entrance.
Once inside, the real adventure begins. You’ll explore a disturbing version of a Disneyland-inspired park, filled with twisted attractions and nightmarish animatronics. Some areas parody classics like It’s a Small World and Pirates of the Caribbean, but with a far more macabre twist.
From the start, you’re given two main objectives: destroy 80 “Grizzly Mouse” figures and complete a mini-golf challenge. The first is optional, but the second is essential to progress. You even receive a scorecard, just like in a real golf course though I admit I hit the ball more than a dozen times on my first attempt. Beyond that, you must also survive the rogue animatronics that roam the park. The game provides tools such as a golf club, a flashlight, and a camera to defend yourself.
HappyFunland leans heavily into adult content, filled with references to alcohol, drugs, and sex. Its dark humor is evident in absurd details like a condom machine disguised as a kid-friendly balloon dispenser, complete with a colorful sign encouraging “children” to take one to “blow.” These touches reinforce the game’s satire of the rumors and urban legends that have surrounded Disney and its creator for decades.
Technically, the game falls short in several areas. It’s quite short around four to five hours and comes with noticeable issues: clipping through objects, overly simplistic combat (you can flail your hand wildly to win most fights), and the lack of a proper pause function. Despite this, the experience remains surprisingly enjoyable. The attractions are creative, the atmosphere is unique, and the humor keeps the journey entertaining from start to finish.
Knowing that HappyFunland was designed, directed, written, and developed by a single person makes the final result even more impressive. It’s far from perfect, but it stands out as one of the most eccentric and twisted VR experiences available.
Final Score: 4/5 – Good
A clever, dark satire with plenty of charm, though held back by its short runtime and technical flaws.
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