Quick Thoughts
Unpacking is one of those games that sounds really simple when you explain it, but it ends up being a lot more charming once you actually play it. You are mostly just taking items out of boxes and placing them around different rooms, but the game makes that feel calming and satisfying instead of boring.
I liked how quiet the game was. It does not rush you or throw loads of mechanics at you. You just unpack things, organise the rooms and slowly notice little details about the person you are following through each stage of their life.
What I Liked
I really liked the relaxing feel of the game. The music, sound effects and slower pace make it very easy to sit back and play without thinking too hard. It feels like the kind of game you can play when you want something calm.
I also liked how the story is told through objects instead of dialogue. You learn about the character through what they own, what they keep, what changes between rooms and what follows them through the years. It is a nice way of showing someone growing up without needing to explain everything directly.
The little details are probably my favourite part. Seeing the same items return later, finding new places for them, and watching the rooms slowly feel more personal made the game feel cosy. It makes you think about how much someone’s stuff can say about them.
What I Did Not Like
There is not a lot I disliked, but the game is quite short. Once you know what happens and where most items go, it loses a lot of the surprise. It feels more like a one time experience than something I would replay often.
Some item placements could also be a little annoying. There were times where I knew roughly where something should go, but the game wanted it in a more specific spot. That could make the ending of a level drag a little when only one or two items were stopping me from moving on.
Completion Thoughts
Getting 100% was not too difficult overall. Most of the game is simple to finish and a lot of achievements are easy once you know what to look for. It is definitely one of the easier games I have completed.
Some achievements needed certain actions or object placements, so I did have to pay more attention instead of just unpacking everything normally. It was not stressful though, and it still matched the calm feeling of the game.
Compared to other 100% games, this one was more relaxing than painful. It was short, simple and did not make me feel like I was grinding for ages.
Final Thoughts
Overall I really liked Unpacking. It is simple, cosy and surprisingly emotional in a quiet way. It does not need a huge story or loads of dialogue because the items and rooms do most of the work.
I would recommend it to anyone who likes relaxing games, organising things or smaller story games. It is not something I would replay a lot, but I am glad I played it and completed it.