X
- Witch Beam
- Witch Beam
- Witch Beam
- Witch Beam
Unpacking
Released On: Nov 2, 2021
84
7.7
Where to Buy
Where to Buy
All Platforms
View All Platforms
Metascore
Generally favorable
Based on 27 Critic Reviews
84
85% Positive
23 Reviews
23 Reviews
7% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally favorable
Based on 27 Critic Reviews
84
85% Positive
23 Reviews
23 Reviews
7% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Unpacking captured and recalled that messy abundance of emotions precisely. It’s a special game. It drew me in, it pushed me away. It was a chore at times. But its thematic strength and effectiveness in conveying that is incredible. Unpacking is a remarkable piece of work that elegantly evokes the ebbs and flows of life. A game that evokes a very special brand of nostalgia that is yours, and no-one else’s.
Captivating, relaxing, cathartic, Unpacking turns a strenuous exercise in real life into a magnificent experience. Undoing the boxes at each stage of the main character's life provides a nice sense of accomplishment. Not in the layout itself, although it's always rewarding to pull off a Tetris with your possessions, but in understanding where the developers of Witch Beam are taking us and how. Without saying a word, delicately, with devastating attention to detail and a sublime atmosphere, the game tells us a very true story, which we easily cling to. The story of an invisible and mute virtual person whom we are happy to accompany and who, in the end, perhaps knows a lot more than we think about our own life.
User Score
Generally favorable
Based on 83 User Ratings
7.7
67% Positive
56 Ratings
56 Ratings
28% Mixed
23 Ratings
23 Ratings
5% Negative
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
User Score
Generally favorable
Based on 83 User Ratings
7.7
67% Positive
56 Ratings
56 Ratings
28% Mixed
23 Ratings
23 Ratings
5% Negative
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
A wonderfully chill and meditative experience. Finding more about the main character as you organize their belongings provided just enough interest to keep you engaged throughout its short play time without overwhelming the relaxed atmosphere.
Report
PC
This indie gem guides through an emotional-nostalgic trip of personal
history, relaxed and with a few small puzzles.
Unpacking has a simple presentation with some thought-provoking moments for players who are willing to immerse themselves in the experience. The story is straightforward, yet the method by which the player engages with it is so novel that it feels grander than it truly is. It’s a shame the abrupt ending left a bittersweet taste in my mouth. However, for a title designed to be played in one sitting, it manages to pack many different emotions into its short runtime, and utilize its medium so creatively that it has become one of my favorite games of the year.
Unpacking is a delightful and charming puzzle game, one that perfectly takes a chore such as moving and perfectly shows how it can highlight the most important parts of our lives, allowing us to reflect upon them and the transitions we go through along the way. It helps that it also has terrific gameplay built around trying to find space by rearranging items as if they were blocks, all while telling a captivating story through each small bit taken out of each box. It’s an impressive little package that you’ll want to dive into.
Unpacking is a game about making a space your own, taking space up, and making space for others. Each of the game’s levels is a loveable snapshot of believable modern human life. Brisbane-based developer Witch Beam have made a delightful game that I know fans of Aussie indies have been looking forward to for a long time. It isn’t just a fantasy where I’m more organised than in my real life, it’s a relaxing, stress-free experience that I will definitely revisit.
Do you remember what you saw in this game? The unboxing will be no less for me than the last superhero movie I watched. Maybe I'll remember her the next time I move, or maybe even grin. I enjoyed the short time I spent with Unpacking and hope there will be more in the future.
One of my favourite games from 2021, it doesn't become boring as other relaxing games and i think that making us guess what's happening in the life of the protagonist only by showing us her stuff is amazing! The final actually made me tear up! It really is wholesome. Its doesnt last more than 6 hours so you can pass it in just one day.
Report
PC
It's a beautiful game telling a story of a life, or part of it at least, through items and locations. You notice, as with each moving, some items disappear, others are added, some of them stay but their condition changes, etc.
The pixel art in this game is one of the best I have seen. Of course, one could argue that the game is limited in its scope, but in this case, it is definitely quality over quantity. Music is similarly very pleasant.
It is a great title to just lose a couple hours in when you need to relax, listen to some great instrumentals, and click at couple things to take your mind off of more stressful stuff.
Unfortunately, it is not completely without blemishes. For a self described "zen game", some of the item placement requirements are a bit stringent and there is not tips, or anything of the sort, and if you don't know all of the items present, you will sometimes struggle. Some of them are pretty non-descript, others are things that not everyone uses and the devs kinda expect that you do, which can lead to unnecessary annoyance or frustration. Fortunately, there aren't many such things.
Furthermore, the devs decided to make a very specific statement about halfway into the game, and it also feels a bit shoehorned and out of nowhere, so if you are averse to topics regarding certain lifestyles, you should probably avoid this game. Whatever your opinion on the topic which I will not spoil or discuss, calling your product a "zen game" while intentionally creating content that will spark controversy, makes you a bit of a liar.
Considering the limited to nonexistent re-playability and limited amount of content - even with how high quality it is, the game is overpriced and I'd not recommend buying it unless it's about 50% off at least.
Report
PC
This game is actually really solid and an overall fun time. It's relaxing for the most part but gets lowkey stressful as you advance through the levels. Not a game I ever thought I'd enjoy, but I did. I loved it. My girlfriend adores it, as well.
The only thing stopping me from giving it an 8+ is this: there are multiple items throughout the game that the game wants you to put in a very specific spot. Some of them make sense, but others really didn't. I felt like the game took away certain freedoms when it really didn't need to. It didn't take me out of the experience, but it happened enough that I noticed and didn't like that aspect of it.
Other than that; I highly recommend giving this game a go. It'll surprise you.
Report
PC
Summary Unpacking is a zen puzzle game about the familiar experience of pulling possessions out of boxes and fitting them into a new home. Part block-fitting puzzle, part home decoration, you are invited to create a satisfying living space while learning clues about the life you’re unpacking.
Platforms:
- PC
- Nintendo Switch
- Xbox One
- PlayStation 5
- PlayStation 4
- iOS (iPhone/iPad)
Initial Release Date: Nov 2, 2021
Developer:
- Witch Beam
Publisher: Witch Beam
Genres:
