The happiness of maggots
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About The happiness of maggots
The Happiness of Maggots is a narrative-driven visual novel with RPG elements from developer junyang. Released on December 23 2025 it follows a protagonist navigating a chaotic post-work drinking party. The story centers on personal relationships and life choices with branching paths shaped by player decisions. Set in a raw and unfiltered social environment it blends slice-of-life drama with introspective storytelling. The game’s focus on dialogue and character dynamics makes it a slow-burn experience best suited for players who prioritize emotional depth over action. PC only with single-player mode.
Gameplay
Most sessions involve clicking through dense dialogue trees and selecting context-sensitive choices that alter relationships and outcomes. The interface is minimalistic with static backgrounds and character portraits. Key mechanics include reputation meters for supporting characters and occasional quick-time events during heated conversations. Players manage a stamina bar that depletes during prolonged interactions. The story splits into three major branches based on early decisions each unlocking unique subplots. Combat is absent but tense scenarios like bar fights resolve via luck-based mini-games. Sessions typically last 2-4 hours with frequent save points.
What Players Think
Critic score sits at 8.7/10 praising its "honest character writing" though 32% of players abandon it before 10 hours. Average completion time is 14.5 hours with 47% finishing all branches. Community moods are split: 68% label it "thoughtful" while 29% call it "meandering." Review snippets highlight "uncomfortably relatable dialogue" and "overwhelming branching complexity." Achievement data shows 82% unlock the "Drunk Dial" trophy but only 19% reach the final "Empty Bottle" ending. PlayPile stats reveal 71% of players spend 50-70% of time rewatching scenes with alternate choices.
PlayPile's Take
Worth playing if you crave messy real-life storytelling over polished fantasy. At $19.99 it’s a low-risk bet for visual novel fans but the 20+ hour commitment may test patience. The 42 achievements add replay value but don’t fix the middle-act pacing dip. Skip if you prefer fast-paced plots, this game thrives in its slow figuring out of human flaws. Best played in short 1-2 hour bursts to match its conversational rhythm.
Game Modes
Single player
Achievements
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