I am always a little late when it comes to getting into new titles, but I’ve got another review for you guys! I recently finished the indie title Unpacking and I am really glad that I unpacked the game! HAHA, GET IT? XD
Anyway, I wasn’t expecting that game to be so short yet so very sweet but let’s talk more about that in my review! Here we go!
Unpacking – Story
One of the first things that I noticed about Unpacking is that it didn’t push an obvious plot in your face as soon as you start the game. At the beginning, the story is told through a series of photo albums and pictures, and you slowly figure out that you’re going through the life of the game’s main character through the living spaces you have to organize for them.
The story is subtle, and you feel a little bit more involved with the character every time they move houses, when you have to unpack and store their personal items and trinkets.
The charm of the story lies in the details, actually. You realize as you continue along the character’s lifetime, they carry with them significant pieces, whether it is a stuffed toy or a souvenir that they have collected through their travels.
The low-key way the story is told is unique and refreshing. There are some heartbreaks here and there but they’re not as heavy as RPGs, and eventually you do get to see the main character get a happy ending. Which is all that matters to me, really! XD
Gameplay & Features
Unpacking’s gameplay is very basic. You simply need to point and click your mouse to move the objects that you unpack from the main character’s moving boxes.
The interesting part about the gameplay here is that you don’t really see what’s inside the moving boxes, so you’ll have to find a space for each item. I particularly liked that you could interact with some of the items. Some clothes can be hung or folded, cabinet doors can be slid open, and drawers can also be pulled out so you have more space to put things into!
Every item you take out of the boxes belongs in a specific room and some of these go more in-depth wherein you have to place that item in a specific part of the room it’s supposed to be in.
The indie title doesn’t really have that many outstanding features except for the casual gameplay. There are several stages in the game, meaning the character moves to different living spaces several times in their lifetime. Each space provides its own challenge, whether it’s the many rooms of a large house or the small areas in tiny apartments.
Though I have to say, as someone who is used to hours and hours of gaming, I was a little disappointed that I completed all the rooms in as little as 3.5 hours of playing.
Unpacking – Visuals & Audio
For those who are fans of cutesy aesthetics, you will probably enjoy playing through Unpacking. I really appreciated that the art was done in 2D, giving it a nice warmth and reinforcing its charm.
The attention to detail is breathtaking to behold, especially if you can relate to some of the character’s personal items found in the game.
Though background music isn’t something I take good notice of, I realized that Unpacking’s soundtrack is pretty chill and calming. It pairs perfectly with the game, allowing you total zen and concentration when you’re organizing many items. None of the tracks felt disruptive and the sound effects retained the cuteness of the title, too. 🙂
Experience & Impressions
Aside from the ridiculously short gameplay, I honestly loved many things about Unpacking!
It caters to the innate neat freak inside me who sometimes feels like I need to clean something up, even if it’s just within a game. It’s very therapeutic and relaxing, so I’d recommend Unpacking for those who have a lot of stress in the real world, haha!
I’d rate this game a 7-8/10. The visuals matched well with the gameplay and it really dove deep into the definition of the cozy game genre. I’m taking away a few points because I only spent less than 3.5 hours playing and I truly don’t see the replayability of Unpacking, even if it’s just hunting for Steam achievements. XD
Unpacking is short but sweet, perfect for people looking for something relaxing to play when they feel like they want to organize something in their lives, even if it’s just in-game!
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