Rating: 8/10
This week, we played Unpacking, a zen puzzle game that perfectly embodies its name — we get to unpack boxes! In Unpacking, we live the life of the main character as we move into 8 rooms / houses throughout the character’s life. You use your mouse to open up the boxes, then click and drag each item to an open spot in the room. You can also click to open up drawers and cabinets to put items there.
Upon first playing, I thought it was completely up to us as to where each item went, so I was surprised when I finished pulling every item out of the boxes, and some of the items would then be highlighted red, which threw me for a loop. It was slightly stressful finding the correct location for the items that were “wrongly” placed, but I enjoyed the challenge of doing so. I also liked how the right location held meaning. It wasn’t just highlighted red because the book shouldn’t be placed on the floor, but the diary I placed on the shelf of books would also be highlighted and the correct location ended up being inside her desk drawer. This makes sense as diaries are typically hidden. I thought this was a cute touch, and it added depth to the gameplay, making it more than just mindless or simple unpacking.
I played the first two levels, her childhood bedroom and college dorm room. I did not expect it to go from moving into one tiny room to three (kitchen, bathroom, bedroom) so suddenly, and I can’t imagine what the next levels look like. Finishing my first room though made me feel very happy and accomplished 🙂
[before & after of the first finished room]
Gameplay aside, I loved the pixel art of the graphics. It reminded me of the old games I used to play as a kid, which made it feel very nostalgic and homey, further contributing to the coziness of the game. Another endearing aspect that I enjoyed was the photo album that showed the progression of the levels / rooms that the character has lived in as she grows up. Seeing the character start a new chapter of her life made the game feel much more personal. Along the same lines, I liked seeing how the items changed as she grew up. Comparing the above and below images, we can see less stuffed animals and more of a mature vibe. It felt like I was watching my child grow up lol :’)
[college dorm room, level 2]
Overall, this was a great game to play to unwind amidst midterms. It is nice to play something that wasn’t horror or death related for a change. Although I feel that the game may lose its appeal once you complete all of the levels. Still, I will definitely return to play the other levels because I want to see both how it progresses in difficulty and watch the character live her life out!
Your review of Unpacking really captures the charm and unique aspects of the game! I appreciate how you highlighted the meaningful placement of items, which adds an engaging layer of challenge and storytelling. The way you describe the progression from childhood bedroom to college dorm and beyond makes me eager to see how the character’s life unfolds. The nostalgic pixel art and the personal touch of the photo album are great touches that enhance the cozy, zen experience. It’s also refreshing to hear about a game that offers a relaxing break from more intense genres. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Hi Tracy,
I really enjoyed reading your blog post, and I’m glad the game made you feel satisfied and accomplished, because I also felt the same way! I think you would either like the game House Flipper in terms of just a decently mindless game related to cleaning/changing houses. Cool blog post!