The level that best illustrates this, in my opinion, is the 2010 level, where the woman moves into (what I presume to be) a man’s apartment. If there’s one thing that Unpacking masters, its subtlety. It was so lovely to take this trip down memory lane in terms of gadgets from yesteryear, a heartwarming experience for anyone who once cherished these things as well. Moving on through the years saw the evolution of tech, from gigantic computer monitors to sleek laptops, from the gameboy to the 3DS, and everything in between. It was such a joy to start off in 1997 and unpack very beloved items, such as a tamagotchi, a gameboy, and a purple diary with a lock on it - all belongings that I owned at that age. Since Unpacking moves through the years, beginning with 1997 and moving towards today’s date, there are a lot of items that will be familiar to those who grew up in this era. Something about the calming sleepiness of it all was so relaxing and so ethereal, I felt like I was in a dream! And that music? Delightfully sweet chiptunes that strongly reminded me of the magical soundtrack in Kirby’s Dreamland. It’s not just the insane level of detail, from the patterns in the wood to labels on bottles, but the use of color to express interior design preferences, lighting, and even aging on items through the years. The aesthetics are absolutely glorious - obviously the pixel art speaks for itself, but I’ll go ahead and gush about it anyway. Left click picks up and releases an item, while right click rotates it (where possible). And while this person never appears on screen or says a word, we get to know her - and her loved ones - intimately through her belongings.Ĭontrols are simple and intuitive, as it’s all point and click. Through the years and stages in her life, she unpacks her same things into new places, finding homes for every little knick knack in every nook and cranny. Unpacking takes players through the ages - beginning in 1997, a young girl is excited to unpack her belongings in her new room in 2004, she unpacks her stuff into her new college dorm. Described on its Steam page as “part block-fitting puzzle, part home decoration,” Unpacking is a one-of-a-kind experience that players won’t want to put down. Although it’s only a 3 – 6 hour journey at most, those few hours are filled with subtle hints that allow you to not only feel what the main character is going through but reminisce about similar milestones in your own life.
There’s just something about Unpacking that is immediately delightful that one can’t help but want to get their hands on it straight away.ĭeveloped by Witch Beam and published by Humble Games, Unpacking is a cute yet nuanced story of a woman’s life told through… well, unpacking. Even the game’s community manager, Victoria Tran ( Among Us), volunteered for the position just so she could play Unpacking early. I took one look at it 2 years ago and promptly emailed the dev team, begging to be added to the press list. Unpacking is one of those games that will make you believe in love at first sight. Don’t fret, you’ll get to hear just as much life drama.Unpacking Review: Unboxing memories, one belonging at a time Oh, and if you get a kick out of it, then be sure gimme a call, because I’m legitimately moving house this week and I could use the help. It is available now on PC, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. Unpacking launches on PlayStation tomorrow, May 10. A game where the very title is equally as reflective of its narrative philosophy. Unpacking has much more to offer than the simple shifting of furniture. Players also found its underlying themes of life and the many changes that find us - intentional or otherwise - suitably affecting. Unpacking won a bevy of plaudits from both critics and fans, who were won over by its satisfying, zen-like gameplay, fun, retro visuals, and a neat score from composer Jeff van Dyck. As you instill your design skills in each room, you’ll experience an intimate and dramatic story, told through the art of relocation.
Announced by Humble Games, Unpacking will launch on PS4/PS5 as soon as tomorrow, May 10.įor those who never checked out Witch Beam’s quirky release, Unpacking tasks the player with unloading boxfuls of items within a variety of confined areas, best-fitting furniture, decorations, plants, and other possessions in a snug and aesthetically pleasing fashion. If you’re a PlayStation-owning Doctor of Ergonomics, then you’ll be stoked to hear that one of the most compelling and engaging indie hits of 2021, Unpacking, is getting ready to move in on a console near you soon.