“Unpacking” your inner perfectionist with this comfy game

WITH most students currently on their school break or working summer jobs and internships, taking a break is essential, whether you’re plagued with an endless list of tasks or idly looking for something to do with all the time on your hands.

Taking care of yourself is for everyone—from people who have the time to leisurely play, to people who need to take time off of a busy schedule.

Self-care involves unwinding and giving yourself a break. Sometimes people need a sense of control when it comes to their lives. Some people spend time cleaning, and others go through their personal items, but sometimes, people are too tired to do any of that.

What better way to relax and satisfy those needs, than through a game that lets you do both at the same time?

“Unpacking” is a Zen puzzle game about unpacking life. Its mechanics involve the player going through different milestones, unpacking personal items while moving into a college dorm room, a partner’s apartment, a house with their friends, and finally a home of their own.

It is a puzzle game where its pieces do not need to perfectly fit to tell a story. As you progress, you get clues about the life that you’re unraveling, building a relationship with the character as you go along the way. It gives you the feeling that you’re helping a loved one move in.

A Redditor with the handle @Kaze_no_Klonoa commented on the game’s item restriction, a feature that stops you from placing certain items in places they shouldn’t be, and how it plays a part in the storytelling aspect.

“I think the biggest highlight of this game was how the item restriction led to some clever narrative reveals about the character’s life,” the Redditor said.

The subtle storytelling of the game through hoarded personal items is similar to how we Filipinos unlock memories from mom’s old collectible cups from a fast-food chain. It unlocks fond memories when a forgotten stuffed toy at the back of your closet reminds you of your childhood that you will now cherish as you continue on with the story.

How to play

“As you fill them (rooms) with possessions, you’re really uncovering clues: art supplies indicate a creative type, while controllers and board games show what they like to do in their free time. Postcards, photos, and souvenirs hint at a love of travel and a close-knit group of friends,” SARAHTHEBEEF said in their review on “Unpacking” in SEA IGN.

“Unpacking” is the perfect game for you to rest comfortably, where there are no timers or scores to keep you on your toes. It gives a calming experience of organizing items to your preference and showing the character’s personality with items they just can’t get rid of. You are even given a merit for putting items in the oddest place in the home that will surely entice gamers who enjoy looking for easter eggs.

Jade Ivy wrote in “For the Punks:” I wish I had bought this game sooner. The art, attention to detail, and story were amazing. This game typically takes four to five hours to complete, and this is something you can play multiple times, finding new ways to fit everything.”

“Unpacking” is more than just a puzzle game where you organize items to your liking. It’s a story of your character’s life as they get to experience new hobbies, move in with friends and partners, and feel nostalgic about their childhood bedroom. It helps you discover things about yourself as your character does as well.

From being particular with organizing dishes by height to forcing yourself to place peculiar items in the last remaining spaces because of the little room you have left: it is comfort within your reach.

Developed and released in 2021 by Witch Beam, an indie game development studio, the game has achieved multiple recognition from awards throughout 2021 to 2023. The most notable being Game of the Year in 2021 from the Australian Game Developer Awards and Eurogamer 2021, EE Game of the Year from BAFTA Game Awards 2022, and Indie Game of the Year from the NME Awards 2022.

“Unpacking” is currently 50 percent off until July 11 for GOG, July 12 for Steam, and July 15 for Nintendo Switch. The game is also available to download on Xbox One, PlayStation, Apple Store, Google Play, and Humble Store.

With reports from Catherine Jules C. Juvida