Environmental Storytelling: The Game

I am SHOCKED at the feelings that Unpacking made me feel simply by observing an invisible character's living spaces and figuring out how to fit her possessions (and her life) in there.

The game sounds absolutely amazing. A killer score informs the vibe of each transitionary period in the protag's life, but the sound design is the real star. Every item sounds different depending on where it's placed, and subconsciously gives weight to the simple choices of where to set things down.

It's a nice short game, so beat it before you read the following spoilery word vomit:

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- I am SO UPSET with invisible ex-boyfriend. THERE WAS NO SPACE FOR HER ART SUPPLIES, and the correct place for her degree certificate was BRUTAL
- While the protagonist exclusively had Nintendo hardware, the BF had a 360. Maybe that was the real indicator that they weren't going to work out
- When I saw the lower back medication patches I was like "aww poor baby" but when I saw the WALKING STICK/CANE I was immediately upset. Hasn't she suffered enough?!?
- The song at the end sure was... something. Like the rest of the game, the music is fantastic! But the lyrics felt like someone performing an original composition at a Junior High Talent show.
- Love that the childhood drawings became characters in a published book! But do all the extra copies mean it didn't sell very well??? Or are they just extras and it's the new "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie"??? PLEASE LET HER SUCCEED

Reviewed on May 27, 2022


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