Closer the Distance

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.