Closer the Distance

 PC
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. GLHF on Sports Illustrated
    Aug 6, 2024
    70
    Despite tackling so many sensitive topics, Closer the Distance never feels out of its depth and shows a surprisingly well-rounded understanding of human nature. Angie might push Conny to be the one who helps others, but her friends in the village have her needs in mind as well. And sometimes they don’t, because sometimes, people just suck. How you deal with that is up to you, and the way you do or don’t resolve the village’s issues will have lasting effects on the people who live there. There’s plenty of replay value, but like with Spiritfarer, I don’t think this is a game I can ever play again.
  2. GAMINGbible
    Aug 1, 2024
    60
    The close-knit community and setting made the grief feel all the more suffocating and as the player, you try your hardest to inject hope back into the world. Whether that means bringing fading relationships back to life, giving someone a purpose again or just being the quiet presence that somebody needs. Despite my issues, I believe Closer the Distance is a title that should be experienced for yourself as your story may turn out different to mine.
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  1. Polygon
    Sep 9, 2024
    Closer the Distance is so good at replicating grief that I couldn’t keep playing it. It’s taken me several weeks to praise its virtues, let alone continue the game itself, because its subject matter is so true to the life experience of grieving. And that’s not a bad thing — in fact, I think it’s one of the most impressive parts of the game, and one of the most profound. Because it’s a reminder that grief doesn’t happen in a line. I’ll likely return to the game to keep up with Yesterby in a few weeks, once I’ve further processed the deaths in my real life and in the game. It’ll likely keep teaching me things about how to support others in times of strife. I expect it to bring me to reflective, melancholy tears again, both as I play it and as it creeps up in my memory when grieving becomes a part of my day-to-day once again.