Unpacking: A Story in Every Box
A zen puzzle game that delivers a poignant tale through tidiness.
last updated Nov 29, 2023
It's like a sip of a rich hot cocoa - short, sweet, and leaves you warm inside.
The Art of Virtual Tidiness
For those who find solace in the meticulous alignment of socks and the strategic positioning of books, 'Unpacking' is a digital haven. Its gameplay is a therapeutic blend of block-fitting puzzles and interior design - a Marie Kondo-esque journey through cardboard boxes. While some may call it a glorified digital nesting exercise, the cathartic satisfaction of placing a dragon plushie just so cannot be understated. It's all about creating order out of chaos, one pixel-perfect object at a time. And the best part? No real-life mess to clean up afterward. As you sort through relics of a life, each object becomes a narrative breadcrumb, leading you on a journey through the unspoken story of their owner.
Pixelated Auditory Pleasure
When it comes to audio, 'Unpacking' croons a lullaby that makes even the most annoying of squeaky pens sound like a sweet serenade. The soundtrack is a subtle, yet effective mood setter, much like the scent of a lavender candle while sinking into a bubble bath. It complements the gameplay with a zen-like aura, ensuring a placid puzzle-solving experience. The sound of cardboard flaps and the soft thunk of items being placed wrap around your eardrums like aural bubble wrap, giving off snapped pops of satisfaction. If ASMR had a game, it would probably feel a lot like this.
A Visual Unpacking Experience
In the graphics department, 'Unpacking' is the digital equivalent of flipping through a well-loved picture book. You're treated to a cozy feast for the eyes, without any performance hiccups to interrupt your unwinding session. The game's pixel art style is candidly unassuming yet surprisingly expressive, managing to paint an intimate portrait with each room arrangement. It is a performance artist in its own right, running smoother than a dolphin's noggin and managing to keep the charm in check without succumbing to the chaos that can be a hoarder's moving day.
Details Matter in Digital Decluttering
Speaking of intimate portraits, the game does a stellar job at showing and not telling. You piece together the life of the silent protagonist through mementos and trinkets, with each chapter (or level, if you will) sprouting new tidbits of their evolving narrative. While the story flourished without a single word uttered, it left us wanting to flip to the next page, only to realize the book was rather short. It's the 'snack' of video games - delightful, but only briefly sates the gaming appetite.
STEAM RATING
Developer
Witch Beam
Publisher
Humble Games
Release Date
November 01, 2021
The Final Assessment
Despite its brevity, 'Unpacking' manages to chart a remarkable journey with heartwarming pixeled treasures. It's like a sip of a rich hot cocoa - short, sweet, and leaves you warm inside. While the game lacks in length and the price tag might be seen as steep for the content offered, it makes up for it in charm and the velvety smooth bliss of an organized living space. If you're yearning for a touch of order and a spell of tranquility in your gaming diet, 'Unpacking' delivers a cozy package. If an organized drawer tickles your fancy more than a chaotic gunfight, keep this one snugly in your wishlist until the next sale rolls by.
