The game, from Australian developer Witch Beam and available now for the Nintendo Switch, Xbox consoles and home computers, is peaceful in tone but deeply thoughtful in its presentation. This theme is explored in “Unpacking,” a beautifully restrained and relaxing game that on the surface is about the puzzle of organization. We’re constantly building the story of our lives, an evolving narrative that we live among and inside. And while I’m far from a hoarder, I understand the temptation to never let go of that high school love letter or pack of tarot cards, which can only truly have meaning when in the presence of the person who brought them into my world. If we’ve saved something, there’s likely some meaning to it. There’s a lot to unpack when it comes to the stories, the emotions and memories contained in the items we own and continue to hold onto. Don’t believe us? Ask famed relationship therapist Esther PerelĪn interview with Esther Perel - the psychotherapist behind the popular podcast “Where Should We Begin?” and now a game developer - turns into a therapy session. That’s a bit of a mess these days, so we’re going to skip it, since I know its disorganization is a metaphorical representation of how throughout 2021 I’ve let my own self-care slip a bit.Įntertainment & Arts Games are therapy. They’re the spirits of close friends, past partners or departed family members - mementos from those who touched my life and don’t deserve to be forgotten, even if they are still a part of my life. I like to keep some of those items close but out of sight, their presence somewhat ghostly. In the nightstand on my right is a rarely opened drawer filled with personal trinkets of the melancholic nostalgic sort, such as a pack of tarot cards left recently by someone dear to me as well as the photo booth pictures we took one night when I failed to look at the camera. It was one of the first plushies I remember having as a kid, and it moved with me through the years, only today it’s not for cuddling - it’s on display. Its head has been sewn on at least twice, and it used to make a bell-like noise. Combined with a great soundtrack and adorable visuals, Unpacking is surely worth revisiting from time to time, especially since it only takes around three hours to complete at most.As I write this in my home office, which in these late-pandemic, work-from-home days is simply my bed, I can look at the nightstand on the left and see on one of its open-slotted shelves a giant bumblebee. There are subtle story hints, tiny puzzles, and exciting achievements. When you scratch the surface, you realize how much care has been put into the game. The game is simple, yet calming and well-put together. The game turns a mundane activity, emptying moving boxes, into a meditative, zen experience. Updated September 28, 2022, by Doruk Kaptan: Unpacking is an excellent example of how there isn't a formula set in stone for games, and just like any other art form, breaking the mold can be a good thing. Released on November 2, 2021, Unpacking takes you through a journey from 1997 to the present day, and here are a few things to keep in mind as you launch the game. RELATED: Calming Video Games That Can Improve Your Mental HealthĪvailable on various platforms, Unpacking is a zen puzzle game that is bound to be enjoyable and captivating one way or another. Using the familiarity of pulling possessions out of boxes and moving into a new home, you get to enjoy the satisfaction of watching your space be filled up with your personal goods and watch your new place become a home. Unpacking is a game created by Witch Beam, an indie game development studio based in Brisbane, Australia.
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