Moving Houses

80%
Game Brain Score Based on 161 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Moving Houses Game Cover
Starting at $12.99Buy now
Get on Steam

"Moving Houses" is a physics-based game where players pack up a house for moving, with the option to be neat or cause chaos. The game offers casual, task-based gameplay with a runtime of approximately 3 hours for the main story and an additional 3 hours for completionists. Players can interact with household objects, pack them neatly, or throw them around, all while experiencing the satisfaction of checking items off a list.

  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

80%
Audience ScoreBased on 161 reviews
story12 positive mentions
gameplay6 negative mentions
  • The game offers a unique blend of cozy packing simulation and psychological horror, creating an engaging atmosphere that keeps players on edge.
  • The soundtrack, especially the end credits song, is highly praised and adds to the overall experience, making it memorable.
  • The story has intriguing twists and a deeper meaning that resonates with players, encouraging them to reflect on personal themes of moving on and facing one's demons.
  • The gameplay can become repetitive and tedious, particularly during the packing segments, which may detract from the overall enjoyment.
  • Some players experienced bugs and glitches that affected gameplay, leading to frustration and interruptions in the experience.
  • The pacing is uneven, with many players feeling that the most interesting elements of the game are back-loaded, occurring mostly in the last portion, which can make the initial hours feel drawn out.
  • story42 mentions

    The game's story is described as minimalistic and often vague, with some players appreciating its subtlety while others find it lacking depth and coherence. While there are moments of intrigue and personal connection, many reviewers feel that the narrative fails to engage fully, often feeling like an afterthought amidst the gameplay. Overall, the storytelling is seen as a mixed bag, with some enjoying the atmospheric hints and twists, while others are left wanting more substantial narrative content.

    • “I think the vague nature of the underlying story is done well as it's not all super apparent.”
    • “The story is completely unique, and the game is a rich experience even if you haven't read the book-- though I do find that there are some references (intentional or not) in the design of the game.”
    • “It's a cute packing game and a spooky game, but also a very personal story from the developer.”
    • “It feels like it's trying to tell a story that feels personal, but the presentation sometimes doesn't carry that through.”
    • “There were little scares here and there but after realizing there's no real story going on aside from 'oooohhhh I can't leave this house, I just come right back when I do,' it all falls apart.”
    • “I wanted to like this game, but both for the price (for an hour-long game with no replay value) and the minimal storyline, with almost no easter eggs to find at all, I just can't recommend it.”
  • gameplay27 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by a repetitive and mundane packing mechanic, which some players find enjoyable while others view it as tedious and lacking depth. Although the game introduces some interesting elements towards the end, many reviewers feel that the pacing suffers and the core loop does not provide enough variety or engagement to justify its price. Overall, it offers a short experience that may appeal to fans of simple routines and subtle horror, but it leaves much to be desired in terms of gameplay innovation and narrative integration.

    • “I found the packing gameplay super fun, as I love simple routine things like that!”
    • “The main game mode offers around an hour and a half of gameplay, and once you complete it, two additional modes unlock, adding even more value to the experience.”
    • “The gameplay loop is simple and easy to grasp but doesn't overstay its welcome - it's a short and sweet experience that approaches (but does not cross) the line between pleasant and tedious.”
    • “Still, the gameplay is essentially walking around and finding the shiny thing to progress, without providing much added story or context as to why you were doing so.”
    • “Honestly, more horror games could stand to have bits of systemic player expression and mechanical advancement like this, even if they're not parodies of other genres that rely on physical interactivity.”
    • “I was wondering if anything would change as a reward for the monotonous gameplay for sticking with it, but no, it's really just the same game again but more tedious.”
  • music16 mentions

    The music in the game has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many players praising the catchy and memorable theme and end credits songs that linger in their minds long after playing. The upbeat soundtrack complements the game's cozy aesthetic, although some noted that it can become repetitive over time. Overall, the sound design and music are seen as integral to the game's charm and enjoyment.

    • “The credits song is an absolute banger, I can't get it out of my head.”
    • “The soundtrack was peak!”
    • “The cheerful, upbeat soundtrack keeps things light, though after a while, you'll notice that it starts to repeat a little too often, almost as if something is gently urging you to keep moving... keep moving.”
    • “The sound design, art style, and music are very well put together and synergize well, but the game nails that surface level 'cozy game' aesthetic.”
    • “However, the theme song is catchy.”
  • atmosphere16 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its eerie and immersive qualities, effectively building tension and a sense of unease throughout the experience. Reviewers appreciate the focus on eldritch horror over cheap jump scares, noting that the atmosphere evolves as the game progresses, enhancing the overall impact of the horror elements. While some mention pacing issues, the general consensus is that the game successfully creates a captivating and chilling environment that keeps players engaged.

    • “Fantastically eerie atmosphere and well executed scares.”
    • “Intensely atmospheric - really nails the creepy vibes.”
    • “The best part of the game was the atmosphere that really changed as you kept playing - I felt chills at certain parts, not knowing what to expect next!”
    • “Less random jump scares and cheesy cuts to still images, more eldritch horror and atmosphere.”
    • “Short and sweet game, on your first playthrough the atmosphere and the way the horror aspects creep up are very impactful; the sense of unease as things ramp up is palpable.”
    • “The game starts off strong by building up a creepy atmosphere and keeping you on your toes for when the horror is going to kick in.”
  • grinding15 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being overly tedious and repetitive, with players expressing frustration over the lack of variation in tasks. While some find the initial gameplay relaxing, it quickly devolves into monotonous busywork that detracts from the overall experience. Many reviewers felt that the gameplay loop, although simple, fails to provide enough engaging content to justify the repetitive nature of moving and packing items.

    • “Here, though, it's actually just tedious busywork.”
    • “The problem in the items and process of moving remain tedious.”
    • “It starts off relaxing enough but doesn't offer enough variation and quickly becomes tedious.”
  • graphics10 mentions

    The graphics of the game are described as minimal yet effective in establishing mood, with strong lighting that enhances the atmosphere, particularly during evening scenes. While the art style and visuals are generally appreciated for their cozy aesthetic, some users noted inconsistencies, such as clashing stock footage and cheap visual elements that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the combination of beautiful visuals and sound design contributes to a familiar yet unsettling environment.

    • “The graphics are very minimal but they do a fine job of setting the stage, and the lighting and mood is generally quite good, especially as time passes and it gets to be later in the evening.”
    • “But on positive notes, I do enjoy the art style and visuals.”
    • “With beautiful, realistic visuals and great audio design, the game creates a world that feels familiar and deeply unsettling.”
    • “It's scuffed in some areas, not to mention the weird stock footage in flashbacks that completely clashed with the tone and art style of the game itself, and I didn't really feel like the $12 tag is worth it.”
    • “Moving houses is begging to be allowed to breathe with creeping dread and eerie atmosphere, but this desire is often let down by the inclusion of haunted house style cheap visuals and events.”
    • “The horrifying subject matter being portrayed with such fanciful cartoonish graphics and cheeriness really created an uncomfortable feeling that sticks with you.”
  • emotional3 mentions

    The game effectively blends emotional depth with a touch of spookiness, resonating well with players who appreciate indie titles that evoke feelings of nostalgia and melancholy. While some players noted moments of fear that detracted from their emotional experience, the desire for a more fleshed-out narrative suggests a strong connection to the game's themes and characters. Overall, the emotional undertones are a highlight, leaving players eager for future projects from the developers.

    • “Altogether, the game is fairly good, and I recommend it for anyone who likes an indie game with some emotional overtones and a little spooky vibe.”
    • “Whether it's to make it more faux-arcadey with even more ironic sweetness slathered over the pain of leaving or to have a genuinely heartfelt background story far more thoroughly hinted at through documents, more realistic pictures, environmental clues, etc., that's the absolute best kind of gripe you could get, because I genuinely want to see more of this team's work!”
  • replayability3 mentions

    The game offers limited replayability, primarily due to its short duration and minimal storyline, which leaves little incentive for players to revisit it. However, an extended mode unlocks additional content after completion, providing some incentive for replay. Overall, opinions on replayability are mixed, with some players feeling it falls short.

    • “I think it'll have some replayability.”
    • “I wanted to like this game, but both for the price (for an hour-long game with no replay value) and the minimal storyline, with almost no easter eggs to find at all (like no way to get into the treehouse at the back or on your roof), I just can't recommend it.”
    • “There is a bit of replayability with the extended mode after you beat the game, with more things to pack away.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a quirky narrator that adds a lighthearted tone, contrasting with the otherwise spooky elements. Players find the comedic moments, such as amusing stock footage and unexpected sound effects, to be more entertaining than frightening.

    • “None of the things we pick up to move out tell a story; there's 'oh no, a thing fell and there's a scary sound to accompany it' and little stock footage videos, which I found more funny than scary.”
    • “You’re accompanied by a quirky, funny narrator, making it feel like a lighthearted experience.”
  • stability1 mentions

    The game experiences several glitches that negatively impact its overall stability, making it difficult for players to enjoy the experience fully.

    • “There are a few glitches that make the game hard to play.”
    • “The game crashes frequently, which disrupts the overall experience.”
    • “I encountered several bugs that affected my progress and enjoyment.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Moving Houses

Videos

Similar Games

Game News