Getting into gaming can be intimidating in 2021 with the huge array of options when it comes to choosing a console or going with a PC. And as game graphics become more and more advanced, game engines demand more from consoles and computers, requiring a heavy-duty graphics card like the Nvidia RTX 4090 just to render the game. But not all 2021 releases come with these roadblocks — new release Unpacking is an accessible game that doesn't sacrifice art or story.
Unpacking by developer Witch Beam is a relaxing puzzle game combined with a sentimental life story. Players move from home to home with the protagonist and unpack her things from boxes while fitting and organizing her possessions into her new surroundings. The game is simple and engaging in a way that veteran and newbie gamers alike can enjoy without jumping through any hoops.
Easy Point of Entry Into Gaming
One of the most accessible things about Unpacking is its system requirements. Particularly, that it doesn't require anything special. For new gamers, investing in a console or gaming PC is a huge financial commitment to a hobby they may only be exploring. Unpacking is able to run on Windows 7 and macOS 10, and only requires a single gigabyte of space, allowing players without high-tech gaming rigs to try it out, and it only requires the left and right mouse buttons, keeping players from having to learn elaborate controls. It also sits at a fairly low price point of $20, which is a much smaller ask than the $60+ price tags of AAA games. It's also available right now on Xbox Game Pass, which can be a great tool for new gamers looking to try a lot of different games and find what they love.
Story Quality
A setback for small, easy-to-run games is that sacrifices often need to be made in order to minimize the file size and strain on a device. Unpacking does an excellent job of not sacrificing interesting visuals, great music, and a full story, leading to its success among players and critics. There is no spoken dialogue in the game, and the story is instead told through objects. Yearbooks, wall art, clothing, and knick-knacks all reveal details about Unpacking's protagonist; players learn when she graduated high school and college, they see souvenirs from places she's traveled, and they also notice when an item doesn't join the journey from one place to the next. This storytelling is simple but deliberate and makes the game feel full of life and personality even when there are no people ever shown.
The art is mostly static images of rooms that you only view from one angle, but the developers focused instead on the movement of the objects being unpacked. Clothing can be folded and unfolded, books can be stacked or propped upright, and drawers and cabinets can be opened and closed. While there is little happening in the setting, players' ability to manipulate Unpacking's settings keeps the visuals from feeling stiff. The soundtrack is also simple and repetitive, but its quiet, relaxing melody fits perfectly with the game's zen approach. And the sound design doesn't stop at the music — items make different sounds when interacting with different surfaces, creating the feeling that players are really setting things down.
Unpacking is simple, short, and easy to get into, creating an experience that's new-gamer or non-gamer friendly, but it doesn't sacrifice important aspects to be a fun and interesting game. In taking a well-crafted story and adding a freestyle puzzle aspect, it still feels like a game and provides a sense of accomplishment when a level is complete but avoids a steep learning curve or intense requirements. For those interested in getting into gaming, Unpacking might be the perfect option.
Unpacking is available now on PC, Switch, and Xbox.