Unpacking

Unpacking uses its simple, satisfying puzzle gameplay to tell a moving story about the things we take with us.

Unpacking has found a unique voice in how it has chosen to tell a story and for that deserves to be on everyone’s play list.

Unpacking transforms a tedious chore into a moving game. Moving someone's stuff makes that person come alive, even if you'll never meet her.

Unpacking is a puzzle game with fun and engaging narrative elements, exciting, capable of leaving much more than a videogame experience. A little surprise.

This is a small game, but its meaning and intent are large. Like any domestic drama, it tells us as much about our own lives, tastes and experiences as it does about the characters we are bonding with. One thing is certain: learning about the relationships this protagonist has with her possessions, her lovers and her family, and how they affect her, is one of the most profound and touching experiences I’ve ever had playing a video game.

Witch Beam fills with magic and originality a gameplay as simple as it is effective: open boxes, take objects and place them wherever possible. With a level structure that ends up being recursive, the game does not aim to surprise with its mechanics, but rather to serve as an open book adaptable to the tastes, preferences and even hobbies of each player. Bedroom, kitchen, bathroom... Memories, in short, that remain by our side despite the circumstances, despite the changes of residence that we have to make – even if some of them are against our will. Unpacking manages to make you participate in this complicated process of turning a house into a home. Visually beautiful, it is a clear example of the video game's unique capabilities.

Unpacking is real gem that deserves a wide audience. It is short, but the sheer love and care put into the entire game shines through at every turn and the careful balance achieved between freedom and restriction ensures satisfaction without frustration. Add in a wonderfully realised and intimate narrative that makes brilliant use of the values we place upon objects and you have an indie game that should find a place in your collection.

Unpacking is a relaxing and entertaining experience, that lasts long enough to still be fun by the end of it, and not become a chore in the process.

Unpacking is a very original title, and one that is a lot more than virtually unpacking boxes. The ebbs and flows of the story will make you want to see it through to the end, even when the lines between unpacking items and Unpacking (the game) start to blur.

As a game, Unpacking is limited to the simplest puzzle genre, without much difficulty. However, it is a storytelling wonder, accessible and very benevolent.