One of the most unique games to come out of this year’s online PAX is Witch Beam’s Unpacking, a fittingly named game that tasks you with unpacking a bunch of boxes in various rooms at different points in time. It sounds like a literal chore, but it might be one of the most relaxing demos I’ve ever played.
To start, you’re dropped into a kid’s room with some boxes. Clicking a box opens it up, while subsequent clicks pull objects out of the box. Your job is to place these objects wherever you want until the boxes are all empty. Relaxing music plays as you decorate the room with an assortment of possessions, ranging from toys to kitchen appliances as time passes. I was surprised at how customizable each room was. You can really put things anywhere you want, and though you can’t progress if certain things aren’t in the right room (like having a toothbrush on your floor instead of the bathroom sink,) most objects can be placed wherever you think they look best.
“The simplicity of gameplay makes it an infinitely playable demo, as well as a game that never drains you or feels cumbersome to play.“
Unpacking is a remarkably therapeutic gaming experience, as it makes you feel at ease while you decorate your rooms. There’s no rush to do anything, and there’s plenty of freedom in how you choose to unpack things. Every time you play through the demo, you can try a new layout without the game ever becoming boring. The simplicity of gameplay makes it an infinitely playable demo, as well as a game that never drains you or feels cumbersome to play.
One impressive thing about Unpacking is the way it tells a story without any dialogue, text, or visible characters. Purely through examining the items in each box, you’re able to put together a basic story about the woman who you’re assumedly playing as. You can tell that she likes soccer and art and that she’s nostalgic for a few of the toys and belongings she had as a child. As the years go on and you get bigger residences, and you find yourself unpacking things like bras and hygiene products instead of toys and crayons. It’s a neat way to tell a story, as you could also just ignore it and have fun decorating if you so choose.
I’m excited for Unpacking’s full release next year, as I can’t wait to dive into more levels whenever I’m feeling mentally exhausted. If this sounds like it would be your cup of tea, you can check out the free Unpacking Demo on Steam until September 20th.
