GAME REVIEW | Unpacking
I remember playing this game when it first first released and it was on Game Pass. I played it for about an hour and absolutely loved it. So naturally, I never went back. Not because it wasn’t worth it, but because I felt like it was dangerous. Also, I hated how much I was into it and loved the organizing and unpacking aspects, when my real life house was in chaos like it always is. But I finally came back! So let’s check out this Unpacking review and see what I thought!
It’s been years since its release and I knew I wanted to give it another go. So as I mentioned in the most recent episode of Retro World Order, I’m in my Steam Deck era. Which made it a simple choice to pick it up on Steam. And just like all other games you grab on a whim during Steam sales, it just sat there for a few weeks. It wasn’t until the princess wanted to play a game and saw the bear on the art that I decided to turn it on and get back into it.
If you ever gamed with kids, I’m sure you know how this went. Me thinking that I was going to play anything was a far fetched hope. So instead of trying, I just sat her down and explained it to her. She got the hang of it super quick. At 6 years old, she’s sharp as a tack. It didn’t take long and before I knew it she was ADDICTED. Noticing her absolutely glued to the screen and not wanting to even blink, it was a bit worrying at first, not gonna lie. So I did what any caring father would do….
Downloaded it on her iPad so she can play it at any time!
As you can see, I played it alongside her on my Steam Deck and we were going level by level and it was a great time. Until of course, I had adult responsibilities and had to cook dinner. After that, I was done. She kept playing and next thing I knew she was waaaaaaaay ahead of me. Some days past and she wound up finishing it!
Wife was there and recorded a video because she saw credits and didn’t know what to make of it. So she explained that meant she finished it. She had such a look on her face that would make any gamer dad proud. A look of accomplishment and happiness. And even more so when she realized she finished it before I did.
This sparked a fire in me to go and complete it myself. Partly because I wanted to tell her I also finished it, since she kept telling me I needed to. But mostly, it was because she freaking beat a game and I didn’t?! My pride could not handle it. So it became my go to game to play whenever I had a chance.
And I finished it!
It was ok.
…..Just kidding, I loved it! It took me about 3 chapters to realize the story that was being told without saying a word. It was not a gripping masterpiece that made my eyes melt from its high resolution graphics, or a AAA release that made me pre-order it to get all the coolest cosmetics. But my goodness, the ride I went on just by unpacking all this girl’s stuff throughout the years.
How? I mean, it’s a story about you. It’s a story about how the years change you, but at the same time, how you stay the same. There’s a core to you that never falters in the face of adversity. The one immovable constant – yet ever-evolving – force in the universe is change. And as your life, your people, the entire world around you changes, so do you. But! Inside, there is a part of you that never changes. You always have a kid in you that is there, watching you grow, wondering what in the hell are you doing?! It’s crazy to think about but go ahead, close your eyes. Put yourself in a quiet space and you’ll connect with this kid again. Heck, it might do you some good.
Anyway, here’s where my beliefs are… I feel like this part of you that never changes, is something that you can project out of you and imprint it onto things. Things from your childhood. Toys you hang onto throughout your life, maybe a stuffed animal, or a favorite action figure. All it takes is looking at whatever it is to remember that part of you that is just inside under the surface, watching your progress as you grow older. Next thing you know, there you are. In your older age, cuddling an old stuffed animal, or playing with a beat up action figure, looking like a complete dork, but you feel a happiness that just cannot be replicated any other way.
This freaking game.
It nails that PERFECTLY.
You are going through the life of someone from when they were just a kid in 1997. And you go through numerous points in her life, all the way up to 2018.
21 years.
Over the span of 21 years, you’re following this girl and you are going through multiple stages of her life. From when she gets her first room as a child, to moving out and living with roommates, to moving in with a boyfriend, it’s all very clear once you start to pay attention.
You’re constantly going through boxes of games and books and movies, stuffed animals, trinkets from trips you’ve taken. And you start to see the same DVD’s, or the upgrade to Blu Ray, or new books in a collection.
When I first first started playing on Game Pass, I thought it was just an OCD simulator. I wasn’t really paying attention, I was really just trying to make a place for everything and wanted a pat on the head when I was done. I realized after playing a few chapters that it was the same person moving around and growing up. But I didn’t know to what extent it was going to go.
But thanks to the princess. My 6 year old, who was actually paying attention and noticing things throughout every chapter. Like the way those same few things kept showing up in every new house. “Look, it’s that pink bear again!” And how it must be the same girl with her stuff after she’s grown more and moved. “Why does she have so many bras?! Ew!” Her connection to what was happening outside of just unpacking things really showed me the power of this game.
How it’s so simple, and so easy to pick up and play, while still being capable of telling a story without saying a word.
How you can go through so many phases of your life and find yourself on an absolute roller coaster of change from childhood to adulthood. But you can still cling on to things that remind you of your youth. The stuff that causes clutter, that sits on a shelf and does nothing but overlook an evolving home with new technology and cheap build-it-yourself furniture. The simplest of objects that are worthless in price and will be easily thrown away by any stranger. It’s these same things that someone, somewhere – whether it be a growing woman who you’ve witnessed and helped unpack her things over 21 years, or just simply you – will treasure and hold for their entire lives.
A teddy bear that is your best friend as a child, and you keep and carry as you grow up, and then after so much are able to pass it on to your own child.
It’s magic.
And so is this game.
After writing this review, I was reminded so much about what is important. And how our connection to stuff is an integral part of who we are. I have made it a point to hold on to and put away all of the kids toys they used to play with. For when they get older, they’ll be able to take it with them and carry it along. I did this way before I played this game and I’m so happy I did.
On top of that, after writing this, I tracked down a physical copy of the game for the Switch. I don’t think any of us will play it anytime soon, but I’m excited to just have it here as I feel like it has earned a spot on my shelf for all time.