Developed by Witch Beam, Unpacking transforms a simple everyday task into a relaxing puzzle experience filled with meaningful details. Every object you unpack has a purpose, every room reflects a new stage of life, and every item quietly reveals something about the person you're helping to move.
It's one of those rare games that proves a compelling story doesn't always need dialogue. Sometimes, the belongings we choose to keep say far more than words ever could.
This review will focus on the game itself, covering its gameplay, storytelling, presentation and overall experience. If you're interested in why I switched from the Nintendo Switch version to Steam, you can also read my personal journey in my previous article.
Want to know why I ended up buying Unpacking twice? Check out my previous article, I Sold My Nintendo Switch Copy of Unpacking... Then Bought It Again on Steam , where I share my personal experience moving from Nintendo Switch to the Steam version.
Contents
What is Unpacking?
Released in 2021, Unpacking is a cosy indie puzzle game that revolves around a deceptively simple concept: unpacking boxes after moving into a new home. It follows the growth of a person, from university to getting a job and then starting a family. Rather than giving players traditional puzzles with scores or timers, the game requires you to find a place for every object, from books and clothes to kitchen utensils, toys and treasured keepsakes.
As each room gradually comes together, so does the story. Without a single line of spoken dialogue, Unpacking reveals different stages of the protagonist's life through the belongings they carry from one home to the next. Every photograph, stuffed toy and well-loved possession helps build an emotional narrative that feels surprisingly personal.
Although the gameplay is straightforward, the attention to detail and thoughtful environmental storytelling make it a memorable experience that stays with you long after the credits roll.
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| Each room represents a new chapter in the protagonist's life, with every object helping to tell their story. |
Available Platforms
Since its release, Unpacking has become available on several platforms, making it easy for players to enjoy the game whether they prefer playing on a PC or console.
🎮 Available Platforms
For this review, I played the Steam version on my Gigabyte Gaming A16. While the game is available across multiple platforms, my thoughts in this review are based on the PC experience.
A Story Told Without Words
One of Unpacking's greatest strengths is its storytelling without relying on dialogue or lengthy cutscenes: the game allows players to discover the protagonist's journey naturally through the objects they unpack.
As you move from one home to another, you'll notice familiar possessions reappearing, childhood keepsakes that are never thrown away, new hobbies being picked up and subtle changes that reflect different stages of life. These small details encourage players to pay attention, rewarding curiosity without ever forcing the narrative.
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| The story unfolds naturally through everyday belongings, allowing players to piece together the protagonist's life without a single spoken word. |
It's a refreshing approach that trusts players to interpret the story for themselves, making each chapter feel personal and meaningful.
About the Developer
Unpacking was developed by the Australian independent studio Witch Beam, a team known for creating thoughtful games with strong visual storytelling. Their attention to detail is evident throughout Unpacking, where even the smallest household item feels intentionally placed to support the game's narrative.
The result is a game that feels handcrafted from beginning to end, offering a relaxing experience that stands out in a genre often dominated by action and fast-paced gameplay.
Gameplay
The moment you begin your first level, it's easy to understand why Unpacking has become one of the most highly regarded cosy indie games in recent years. Its gameplay revolves around a simple premise: unpack every item from a collection of moving boxes and find a suitable place for each belonging within your new home.
While that may sound repetitive, the experience quickly becomes surprisingly engaging. Every room introduces different furniture layouts, new household items and personal belongings that gradually become more numerous as the protagonist moves through different stages of life.
Unlike traditional puzzle games, there are no timers counting down, enemies to avoid or scores to achieve. The game encourages you to slow down, think about where each object belongs and enjoy the quiet satisfaction of turning an empty room into a warm, lived-in space.
It's a gameplay loop that remains simple from beginning to end, yet never feels repetitive because every new chapter introduces a different home, different memories and new stories waiting to be discovered through everyday objects.
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| Each new home begins with stacks of moving boxes waiting to be unpacked, slowly transforming empty rooms into comfortable living spaces. |
Simple Gameplay, Surprisingly Rewarding
Although Unpacking is built around a single core mechanic, the experience never becomes monotonous. Every item feels intentionally chosen, encouraging you to think about how different belongings fit naturally within each room.
Kitchen utensils belong in cupboards, clothes are neatly stored in wardrobes, books find their place on shelves, while treasured keepsakes often deserve a more personal display. The game gives you plenty of freedom to organise spaces in your own way, allowing each completed room to feel uniquely yours.
Occasionally, you'll discover that certain objects can only be placed in specific locations. Rather than feeling restrictive, these moments reinforce the game's environmental storytelling by reflecting the protagonist's changing circumstances and living arrangements.
As more rooms become available, you'll gradually begin to recognise familiar belongings appearing again and again. These recurring items quietly remind you that every move represents another chapter in the same person's life, creating an emotional connection without relying on dialogue or lengthy cutscenes.
The more I played, the more I realised I wasn't rushing to finish each level. Instead, I found myself slowing down and carefully deciding where every item should go. Watching each room gradually come together was incredibly satisfying, and before long, I was unpacking boxes simply because I wanted to see what memories and belongings would appear next.
Mouse Controls Feel Incredibly Natural
For this review, I played Unpacking on Steam using a mouse, and it quickly became clear why this control method suits the game so well. Since almost every interaction involves clicking, dragging and rotating objects, the point-and-click controls feel intuitive almost immediately.
Picking up an item requires nothing more than a single click before dragging it into position. Rotating objects is equally effortless, making it easy to experiment with different layouts until everything feels just right. Because the controls are so responsive, they soon become second nature, allowing you to focus entirely on the experience rather than how to play.
The precision of a mouse also makes organising shelves, arranging books and decorating rooms particularly enjoyable. Small adjustments can be made in seconds, encouraging you to perfect each space without ever feeling frustrated.
If you've already read my previous article about moving from Nintendo Switch to Steam, you'll know that the mouse controls were one of the biggest reasons my opinion of the game changed so dramatically. Here, they simply allow the relaxing gameplay to shine without getting in the way. The point-and-click controls make moving, rotating and arranging objects feel effortless, allowing you to focus on creating a space that feels just right.
A Relaxing Experience From Beginning to End
One of Unpacking's greatest strengths is its ability to help players slow down. There are no time limits, performance ratings or penalties for taking your time. Whether you spend a few seconds placing an object or several minutes rearranging an entire bookshelf, the game patiently lets you play at your own pace.
This freedom creates an experience that feels genuinely relaxing. Every completed room provides a quiet sense of accomplishment, while the combination of thoughtful sound effects and gentle background music makes even the smallest interactions feel rewarding.
Rather than constantly introducing new mechanics, Unpacking refines its existing formula throughout the game. Each move presents a fresh environment, new (and familiar) belongings and subtle changes that keep the experience interesting without overwhelming the player. It's the kind of game that's easy to recommend to anyone looking for a peaceful escape after a long day.
Beautiful Pixel Art That Never Feels Outdated
Despite its simple appearance, Unpacking is a beautiful game. Every room is carefully crafted using detailed pixel art that manages to feel both nostalgic and modern at the same time. From tiny stationery items on a desk to the magnets on a refrigerator, every object has been thoughtfully designed and is immediately recognisable.
What impressed me most was the incredible attention to detail. Many everyday items have multiple variations, helping each home feel unique rather than repetitive. As the protagonist grows older, you'll also notice subtle changes in furniture, technology and decorations that quietly reflect different periods of their life.
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| Every object has been carefully illustrated, rewarding players who take the time to appreciate the game's incredible attention to detail. |
Performance on Steam
Throughout my playthrough, Unpacking performed flawlessly on Steam. Loading times were quick, gameplay remained smooth and I didn't encounter any crashes, graphical glitches or technical issues.
Since the game isn't graphically demanding, it should run comfortably on most modern PCs and laptops. On my Gigabyte Gaming A16, the experience was effortless, allowing me to simply focus on enjoying the game without worrying about performance.
Steam Cloud support is also a welcome addition, making it easy to continue your progress across different devices if needed. Combined with Steam Achievements, it provides a polished PC experience that feels complete.
Pros & Cons
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
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Who Should Buy Unpacking?
I would happily recommend Unpacking to anyone who enjoys cosy games, relaxing puzzle experiences or thoughtful storytelling. It's the perfect game to unwind with after a long day and offers something refreshingly different from more traditional puzzle games.
If you enjoy games such as A Little to the Left, PowerWash Simulator, Stardew Valley or other slow-paced indie titles, there's a very good chance you'll enjoy Unpacking as well.
On the other hand, players looking for fast-paced action, difficult puzzles or highly replayable gameplay may find the experience a little too short or too gentle.
Final Verdict
Unpacking is proof that great storytelling doesn't always require lengthy dialogue or cinematic cutscenes. Through nothing more than everyday belongings and carefully designed living spaces, it tells an emotional story that's both relatable and memorable.
Its relaxing gameplay, beautiful pixel art and thoughtful environmental storytelling combine to create one of the most unique indie games I've played. While its shorter length and limited replay value may not appeal to everyone, the overall experience left a lasting impression on me.
So, if you're looking for a game that encourages you to slow down, appreciate the little details and simply enjoy the process, Unpacking is well worth your time. It's a wonderful reminder that even the most ordinary moments in life can tell extraordinary stories.
Overall Rating
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Gameplay | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Storytelling | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Graphics | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Audio | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Replay Value | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Overall Rating | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Where to Buy
If you'd like to experience Unpacking for yourself, you can purchase it on Steam or pick up a Nintendo Switch copy using the links below.
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