Look, let's be honest—horror games usually want you to scream, but DON'T STOP SMILING, a rather twisted little title now revealed on Steam, demands exactly the opposite: a permanent grin.

Currently in development for a Q2 2026 release, this first-person horror experience hinges on a rather intrusive, yet undeniably clever mechanic. It uses your PC camera to monitor your actual facial expressions in real-time. The rule is simple enough to sound easy, yet it is utterly maddening: keep that smile plastered on your face, or the game ends immediately.

The setting? A prefectural high school in the Kyushu region, infamous for a past tragedy. You’ll be navigating shifting hallways trapped in a never-ending loop. You have to keep smiling even when the game throws disgust, guilt, or sheer terror your way. It is, frankly, a brilliantly sinister test of your nerves.

As you progress, the game demands more than just a grin. You might be forced to navigate with your eyes closed, or mimic chewing by opening and closing your mouth. There are even puzzles where you must perfectly replicate the expressions of others, forcing you to contort your face while your brain is busy screaming for you to stop.

The puzzles here aren't designed to give you a warm, fuzzy sense of achievement; they are engineered to apply psychological pressure. When you are forced to sacrifice another's life just to solve a puzzle, the ethical dilemma makes maintaining that smile an absolute nightmare. It is a cynical, effective piece of design.

The entire experience lasts between 45 and 60 minutes and, naturally, you will need a PC camera to play. DON'T STOP SMILING is slated for a Q2 release and will support Korean. Best of luck keeping your composure.