Unpacking Reviews
Unpacking is undoubtedly a game as entertaining and relaxing, as stressful if they suffer from anxiety or some obsessive compulsive disorder related to order. I must also admit that it is not a game for everyone, since the lack of some kind of challenge, extra modes, or even a story with a more interesting presentation, may not be to everyone's liking.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Unpacking is proof that a pixel tells a thousand words. Through simple, zen gameplay and a startling attention to detail a story unfolds in this tiny, pixelated world in a way that just wouldn't have been possible in another medium. That's truly something special on its own – a wholly unique and original narrative experience – and the fact that it's wrapped up in an incredibly cathartic and tangible puzzle game makes it all the more praiseworthy. Witch Beam has something incredible on their hands with this one.
These little niggles aside, a stellar soundtrack from Jeff van Dyck helps to create a sense of calm and zen (that I can only maintain myself for one or two levels at time) as you continue to play voyeur and peek into the lives of the silent protagonist and their loved ones. The anxiety of moving prevents Unpacking from being something I would get stress relief from, but I nonetheless find myself returning again and again to continue its story.
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.
Unpacking is a wonderfully quaint experience that adds an extra punch to what it means to grow, change, and move on. Even if it could be a bit longer and more extensive, it justifies its place in my game library.
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 out lives, allowing us to reflect upon them and the transitions we go through along the way.
Unpacking is the perfect game to unwind with and provides unique and cosy storytelling through its simple point-and-click mechanics that will keep players wanting more.
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.
Unpacking is simple in concept but complex, interesting, and ultimately meditative in execution. Simply put, it's delightful.
Unpacking on Switch doesn't quite stick the landing of the zen experience it aspires to be, but if you can tolerate some frustrating interfaces and controls, this is still a game worth exploring. Just maybe consider playing it on PC since that experience should be much stronger without the control caveats.
Ultimately, though, the majority of the game’s value and impact comes from the three or so hours it will take you to play through for the first time, and for some people, what’s here is not going to be quite enough to leave you feeling completely satiated. For some, this will be a matter of the depressingly ever-present “monetary value versus amount of content on offer” question; for me, though, it was more about a sense of the game’s more artistic, narrative elements simply not quite feeling like they resolved in a completely satisfactory manner.
But, like I've said, those nifty puzzles are just the jumping-off point for what makes this such a remarkable, memorable experience. A clever game of unloading boxes would have been enough to make Unpacking worth playing, but it's the way it weaves its beautiful story through those puzzles that makes it truly sublime.
Little cute game with unpacking items in your new home.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
Unpacking is one of the best games of the year thanks to its magnificent idea: to tell the life of a person through their moves. Perfect in the playable and the sound, the story of Unpacking deserves to be lived.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Unpacking portrays the story of this character moving into new homes, and it is a short but intensely relaxing experience with a clever story.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Environmental storytelling in its extreme form.
Review in Russian | Read full review
You shouldn’t hesitate to pick up Unpacking. This is a true indie gem; a game that deserves to be celebrated for years, or even decades, to come. From the clever storytelling through objects to the incredible sound design imprinted into each and every item you pick up, every minute spent with this game is a joy. You’ll be invested from start to finish – and you won’t want it to end.
Unpacking is a wonderful gem from an independent team that tried something drastically different from their last game and succeeded in the execution. It manages to tell an emotional and intimate tale just by having you unpack objects over and over and that is to be commended. If you’re looking for a relaxing game to spend a few hours with that doesn’t ask a lot out of you then Unpacking is the game for you.
Unpacking is a simple and relaxing experience that manages to tell an engaging story with a beautiful message while delivering a surprisingly challenging puzzle game. It is a title you need to play if you are interested in indie games.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Unpacking is truly a unique game that has done something no other video game has done before by crafting such a tremendously relatable character out of nothing but the rather mundaneness of unpacking boxes.