Who actually enjoys moving? Almost nobody. It is an exhausting and chaotic process. However, it is surprising that many people invest their time and money in a video game that is literally about unpacking boxes and placing objects in different rooms in their new home. Is Unpacking just a relaxing organization game, or is there something deeper hidden underneath?
The title by developer Witch Beam is short and very peaceful. You can finish it in about three hours if you rush through, or around six hours if you take your time to observe every detail. It uses very simple point-and-click mechanics where you move items from one place to another. Although at first it seems like you can put things wherever you want, you soon realize that certain objects have to go in a specific spot to progress. I realize the great thing about this game is that it is so simple, anyone can play it, whether you are a master gamer or someone who has never picked up a controller.
What I find truly impressive about Unpacking is the story hidden behind it. Its storytelling is a good example of “show-don’t-tell”, a famous principle in cinema. If you want to communicate something, it is more effective to illustrate it than to explain it through dialogue. In video games, where you are focused on the action, illustration and visual storytelling become key tools to convey emotions directly.
Across eight chapters, you follow an anonymous young woman from her childhood bedroom all the way into her adult apartment. Without any dialogue or words, the game reveals her life circumstances, relationships, and personal growth. The passage of time is shown through small details, like a little pig plushie that has stayed with her through every single move since she was a kid. It is incredible how a game centered on room organization can tell almost an entire life story, showing how everyday objects can define a person.
The most striking moment for me is when she moves into her boyfriend’s apartment. The place is gray and cold, and it creates a crucial moment where you fully empathize with a character you have never even seen on screen. When you try to hang your university diploma on the wall, you realize her boyfriend has not left any space for it, and the game forces you to slide it under the bed instead. Not being able to take pride in your achievements in your own home is a really heavy emotional moment.
This moment impacts her identity. For the first time, the protagonist does not have a desk for her passion, drawing, forcing her to put her art tools in the kitchen. Beyond a potential critique of the housing market issues many face today, it reflects a tough personal period. Her café uniform suggests some professional struggles. But the confirmation that her partner was the real issue comes in the next chapter. When she moves back in with her parents, she puts a thumbtack right over her ex’s face in a photo.
Ultimately, I think Unpacking appeals to a huge audience. It is great for people who love keeping things organized, like me, for anyone looking for a cozy and relaxing experience, or for those who just like its aesthetic. In fact, at times it reminded me of those famous YouTube videos of the Lofi Girl studying in her room. It shares that same warm, peaceful vibe. In short, Unpacking is a brilliant demonstration of how video games can tell a mature, human story using nothing more than visual imagery and your own intuition.
Relevant info
Publisher: Humble Games
Developer: Witch Beam
Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
Release Date: November 2, 2021
Genres: Puzzle, Casual, Indie, Single-player
PEGI: 3
Pictures
Official cover from Wikipedia and gameplay screenshots from Unpacking (Witch Beam, 2021) via YouTube (Billy’s Cozy Quest), taken by the author.
