Unpacking

87%
Game Brain Score Based on 37,152 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • emotional
Unpacking Game Cover
Unpacking is a satisfying, gorgeous and unexpectedly emotional dive into moving house and the importance of our possessions. This game simply must be played.
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"Unpacking" is a zen-like moving simulation game where players unpack and organize possessions of a character across eight different moves. The game encourages players to pay attention to details and tells a story through the items that are unpacked. It's a calming and introspective experience that allows players to appreciate the little things in life.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Android
  • Cloud
  • Linux
  • Mobile Platform
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
  • Xbox Game Pass
  • x_box_cloud_gaming
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

87%
Audience ScoreBased on 37,152 reviews
story5,181 positive mentions
grinding90 negative mentions
  • story12,463 mentions

    The story in "Unpacking" is celebrated for its masterful environmental storytelling, allowing players to piece together the life of a young woman through her belongings as she moves through various stages of life. While the narrative is subtle and unfolds without dialogue, it effectively conveys themes of growth, love, and personal identity, resonating deeply with players. However, many reviewers express a desire for additional storylines or content, as the game is relatively short, typically taking around 3-5 hours to complete.

    • “The story is phenomenal and how it's told is so unique.”
    • “I loved piecing together the story of this girl's life through her various living spaces and collection of belongings throughout the years.”
    • “Unpacking is a masterclass in storytelling through gameplay.”
    • “I wish there were more storylines and more rooms to decorate!”
    • “I was disappointed so i just want to say i really think that the developer(s) should make different story lines that have different people, relationships, family's, etc. maybe even add little things like stories crossing every once in a while.”
    • “The story is short and there isn't much to do after finishing the main story line.”
  • music2,814 mentions

    The music in "Unpacking" is widely praised for its calming and soothing qualities, enhancing the game's relaxing atmosphere and contributing to its emotional storytelling. Many players appreciate the nostalgic and gentle soundtrack, which complements the pixel art and gameplay, although some note that the music can become repetitive over time. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant highlight, with the end credits song often eliciting strong emotional responses from players.

    • “The music is soothing and the story is sweet of her moving out, finding her footing and even finding love, along with starting a family.”
    • “The music complements the gameplay perfectly, adding to the overall relaxing vibe.”
    • “The soundtrack is amazing, the graphics are great, and the story behind it is phenomenal!”
    • “The same one/two songs play over and over, and I eventually had to shut the music off so I could focus.”
    • “While I think the pixel art in the game is outstanding and a highlight in the indie scene, I was very disappointed in the music.”
    • “The music was okay - definitely not obtrusive or annoying, but not great enough to really want to hum along to or anything.”
  • emotional2,565 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Unpacking" is widely praised for its heartfelt storytelling and ability to evoke strong feelings through minimalist gameplay. Players report experiencing a range of emotions, from joy to sadness, as they unpack items that reveal the life journey of the protagonist, often leading to tears by the end. The game's art, music, and subtle narrative create a cozy and therapeutic experience, making it a memorable and touching adventure for many.

    • “I am currently going through a pretty rough depressive episode, and playing unpacking has made me feel like being hugged by a best friend, or stepping into a warm bath - so cozy and lovely overall <3”
    • “The story is understated but deeply touching.”
    • “The ending just warmed my heart with the two women and a baby, made me feel all happy and even made me cry a little how how beautiful the game was!”
    • “It'll replace your life; I cried a bit.”
  • gameplay2,337 mentions

    The gameplay of "Unpacking" is characterized by its simple yet engaging mechanics, where players unpack and organize items in various living spaces. While the gameplay is relaxing and offers a unique storytelling experience through environmental cues, many reviewers feel that the overall duration of 2-5 hours does not justify the $20 price tag, leading to concerns about its replayability and value for money. Despite these criticisms, the game is praised for its charming art style, soothing soundtrack, and the emotional depth conveyed through its minimalist gameplay.

    • “I think it has a perfect blend of calming gameplay and subtle storytelling, offering a peaceful yet engaging experience that allows you to stay present and mindful of your surroundings.”
    • “The gameplay is satisfying and the story is endearing and heartwarming, but the length and price are incredibly out of touch.”
    • “The gameplay is relaxing, and though the process of unpacking is repetitive in as far as clicking and dragging items across a screen, it is made engaging both by the variety of items, the changing locations, and the background story.”
    • “Yes it is fun, yes it is relaxing, but for 2 hours of gameplay it's just not worth it.”
    • “The gameplay felt like a chore, it didn't feel worth it.”
    • “For the price it's at, I was expecting the gameplay to be at least 8+ hours.”
  • graphics2,246 mentions

    The graphics of "Unpacking" are widely praised for their charming pixel art style, which creates a cozy and aesthetically pleasing atmosphere. Players appreciate the attention to detail in the visuals, which effectively contribute to the game's subtle storytelling and emotional depth. While the graphics are generally well-received, some users noted occasional difficulties in identifying certain items due to the pixelated design, but overall, the visuals enhance the relaxing and satisfying gameplay experience.

    • “The graphics are very clean and smooth, and it's fun to follow the character's life and see them growing!”
    • “The art style is bright and cute and endearing, it does an amazing job telling a small story through purely showing instead of telling, and it's relaxing as hell.”
    • “The graphics are adorable and I can spend hours on this game.”
    • “The pixel graphics also made it so that sometimes it was very difficult to figure out what an item was and where it should go.”
    • “In addition, the game would be better if the graphics were not pixelated.”
    • “If there is one complaint I have it is that due to the pixel art style it can be rather hard to figure out what certain items actually are, for example a kitchen spray looking like a toilet spray or a door mat looking like basically anything rectangular, and sometimes exactly where the game wants you to place something.”
  • replayability960 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players noting that while it offers some enjoyment in rearranging items and hunting for achievements, the overall experience is limited due to its short playtime of around 3-5 hours and a singular storyline. Some players find it relaxing and return to it for casual play, while others feel it lacks substantial replay value, especially given the price point. Overall, it seems best enjoyed on sale, as the replayability largely hinges on personal enjoyment of the organizing mechanics rather than varied gameplay.

    • “It's cozy, cute, chill, and has infinite replay value!”
    • “The game also has a lot of replay value, as in my first playthrough I could not 100% the game and also missed things that I look forward to in my future playthroughs.”
    • “It's very relaxing and it tends to go by fast, but the replay value is a bit eh.”
    • “The replayability isn't that fun as it's only 1 storyline you have 3 saves for.”
    • “I finished the game in about 3 1/2 hours and, at least in my opinion, this game has little to no replay value.”
    • “The only downside is there obviously isn't much replayability to it; another reason to buy it on sale.”
  • atmosphere221 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its calming and cozy qualities, enhanced by beautiful pixel art, soothing music, and thoughtful sound design. Players appreciate the therapeutic experience it offers, making it an ideal choice for relaxation and unwinding. The subtle storytelling woven into the atmosphere adds depth, creating a unique and immersive environment that resonates with players.

    • “The game offers an incredibly relaxing atmosphere and together with its cute visuals, it draws you in.”
    • “The atmosphere is incredibly relaxing and the visuals are beautiful.”
    • “The pixel art style, paired with soothing color palettes, creates a calming atmosphere.”
    • “This frustration really takes away (in my opinion) from the relaxing atmosphere the game is trying to foster with the art style and soundtrack (which are very enjoyable!).”
    • “The move back to mom and dad's house after a breakup is honestly extremely relatable through atmosphere and music choices.”
    • “You aren't graded on your aesthetic or coherent organization so you could just shove things where they fit, but the atmosphere and the overall tone of the game makes it feel that you should be kind and make it reasonable for the person that will be living there.”
  • humor164 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised, with players enjoying the funny achievements and quirky scenarios, such as placing a toaster in a bathtub or flushing toilets for rewards. Many found the game's lighthearted approach to unpacking and organizing items both amusing and relatable, often leading to laughter during gameplay. Overall, the developers' sense of humor shines through in the game's design, making it a delightful experience for players looking for a fun and relaxing time.

    • “One of the achievements I got made me burst out laughing.”
    • “It's fun to get lost in it for a little while, and the achievements—some of which are quite funny—are a nice touch :) would recommend!”
    • “Some of the achievements are hilarious, and I enjoyed watching the protagonist's life unfold.”
  • grinding158 mentions

    The reviews consistently highlight that grinding in the game can be excessively tedious, often requiring significant time investment that some players liken to needing a "second life." While the initial gameplay may be enjoyable, many users report that it becomes monotonous and feels more like a chore, particularly in later levels. Overall, the game offers a mix of fun and frustration, with a strong emphasis on the repetitive nature of its tasks.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding!”
    • “Time for grinding will be required.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “My only complaint about the game is that it gets boring and tedious fast; once you finish the story mode, there isn't much else you can do.”
    • “This game has nice art but it costs too much and becomes incredibly tedious and frustrating towards the end, as the main character ends up hoarding so much stuff that you just end up having to dump everything on any available surface and hope that it's in the right place.”
    • “The gameplay to me in the end felt more 'boring' and 'tedious' than 'relaxing'.”
  • stability41 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is generally praised, with many users reporting no significant bugs or glitches, leading to a smooth gameplay experience. However, some players noted occasional issues with item placement and minor glitches, suggesting that while the game is mostly stable, there are moments of inconsistency. Despite these minor concerns, the majority of reviews highlight a well-made and polished experience.

    • “No bugs, no glitches, no crashes, and no stress whatsoever.”
    • “I 100% recommend this game; no bugs, no glitches, just runs smoothly!”
    • “Found no bugs and no glitches yet; the game is very well made and programmed.”
    • “And also not really relaxing unfortunately, sometimes placing items feels really buggy and things you have placed before can't be placed the same way again after a small change.”
    • “That said, it's buggy as hell.”
    • “The game offers some nice graphics and environments, although some ugly glitches here and there, it is pleasant all the same and has a really great aesthetic.”
  • monetization22 mentions

    The monetization of the game has drawn mixed reactions, with some players feeling it is overpriced for the limited content (approximately three hours of gameplay) and expressing disappointment over the lack of future updates or workshop support. While the absence of ads is appreciated compared to mobile counterparts, many reviewers perceive the game as a cash grab, particularly criticizing the marketing tactics that promised more than what was delivered. Overall, the game's pricing and perceived exploitation of its themes have led to a lack of recommendation from several players.

    • “This game is like that game on mobile where you can organize rooms with boxes, but this has a story and no ads!”
    • “Also, I have to say, I think it's a little annoying that the devs teased 'big announcements' that just ended up being ads for new merch or just announcing that the game is coming to another platform.”
    • “Overall, the issues I had with the game are simply why I can't recommend it. Virtually all the advertisements I saw told me it was a relaxing game about a family moving in and unpacking boxes and being able to place items wherever you want, which is what you get, except items have to be placed in certain locations and not where you want to put them. Otherwise, you're blocked from progression. The asking price is too high, even on sale, for a whopping 3 hours of gameplay, and confirmation from the devs that the game won't be receiving any workshop support or future updates was truly disappointing.”
    • “I bought the game trying to escape from other cleaning/decorating/unpacking games, thinking I'd get more content in one of these types of games by paying $20 than just simply going to my phone and suffering through ads while not paying a cent.”
  • optimization16 mentions

    Overall, the game is praised for its smooth performance and well-crafted mechanics, with users reporting no significant bugs or glitches. It runs effectively on various systems, including high-quality settings on Macs, making it a relaxing and enjoyable experience. Minor issues, such as a layering glitch, are noted but do not detract from the overall positive impression of optimization.

    • “The game runs smoothly and the mechanics are easy to understand.”
    • “This game is wonderful... the graphics are great and it runs smoothly on my Mac at high quality.”
    • “I 100% recommend this game; no bugs, no glitches, just runs smoothly!”
  • character development14 mentions

    The character development in the game is highly praised for its depth and creativity, utilizing environmental storytelling and object interactions to convey growth without direct dialogue or character interaction. Reviewers highlight the intimate and rewarding experience of uncovering character arcs through careful observation, with some rating it a perfect 10/10. Overall, the integration of art and design significantly enhances the character development, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “This game is incredibly intimate, and I am so impressed with the way the developers were able to communicate growth and character development so well without dialogue or visible character interaction.”
    • “Who would have thought you could have such character development in a game where you don't directly meet anyone!”
    • “This game is incredibly intimate and I am so impressed with the way the developers were able to communicate growth and character development so well without dialogue or visible character interaction.”
    • “The character development through different objects over time rewards a careful and curious eye.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

81% average critic score

Buy Unpacking

Play time

4hMedian play time
6hAverage play time
4hMain story
4hCompletionist
3-5hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 785 analyzed playthroughs

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