![]() The main character writes, “Thank you for joining me on this journey” on the final page of the scrapbook next to a photo of her, her partner and their newborn baby watching the sunset. Lastly, in 2018, you help the couple move into their first home, complete with a nursery for their baby. Additionally, our protagonist has received a lot of awards for her artwork, each of which is displayed in her office, revealing that she’s had quite a successful career. Their decor goes together beautifully, the space livened up by plants and adorable figurines. In 2015, she’s still at the same apartment and this time, you’re helping her girlfriend move in. In 2013, you help the protagonist move into her own apartment, complete with a great office for her to make art and plenty of wall space to proudly showcase her diploma. You may not know her name but you know that she’s going through a rough patch and you’re rooting for her to get out of it and, lucky for you, Unpacking gives her just that. Sometimes all it takes is the location of a diploma to tell someone everything they need to know about what a character is dealing with. Unpacking proves that a story game doesn’t need to provide players with immense levels of detail for them to connect with a character. All of this speaks to how effective the storytelling is, no matter how minimal it may be. It’s moments like these that bring you even closer to the main character, allowing you to empathize with her as she goes through these transitional and, at times, tumultuous periods in her life. A hard life lesson has clearly been learned. The next level, taking place in 2012, sees her moving back home, taking up residence in her childhood bedroom once again. She writes, “Barely managed to fit in here!” in the scrapbook and despite the exclamation point, the note feels half-hearted. ![]() You’re given no choice but to store it under the bed, where it rests sadly next to some dumbbells. However, as players unpack the 2010 level, they’re emotionally struck by the specific placement of one particular item. Among many other things in the apartment, the posters on the wall cannot be moved by players, which leaves no room for the main character’s diploma. It’s immediately apparent that their styles clash - her typically bright assortment of items stick out like a sore thumb among his black and gray home decor. “We wanted to use the movies, books and games as another way to say something about the person that owns them! So for the main character, we tried to think about what she would be into or what would have felt like ‘required ownership’ … Where it got really interesting was when other characters’ possessions were present - we got to try to describe their hobbies, tastes and interests too, as another way to suggest how they might match, compliment or clash with the central character,” said Tim Dawson, the technical director for Unpacking.ĭawson’s point about other characters’ items is especially evident in the 2010 level, which features our protagonist moving in with her boyfriend who doesn’t seem very open to sharing his space. Players paying extra attention might even notice that she’s been collecting a fantasy series in hardback that expands as the years go by. She’s a creative, with plenty of artwork scattered around her desk alongside colorful marker packs and a drawing tablet. She’s got an affinity for video games - they’re a constant from move to move, seemingly just as essential to her as cookware and toiletries. Some details about her life and interests can be uncovered by taking a closer look at her current dwelling place or what you’re unpacking. Why wouldn’t you display that photo? Did something happen between you and the person in the picture? While you won’t ever get an explicit answer, you’ll likely draw your own conclusions based on your own life experiences.Ĭlearly, there’s a lot of mystery surrounding the protagonist, as you never get to directly interact with her. Moments like these make you question why our main character wants things this way. But every now and then, it’s something you wouldn’t expect, like a photograph that needs to be tucked inside a drawer instead of pinned on a bulletin board. ![]() Typically, it’s something small like a cookie jar belonging higher up on a shelf instead of being left out on the counter. You unpack various objects, placing them where you believe they go once all of the boxes are completely empty at the end of the level, any items placed where they do not belong will glow red. ![]() The gameplay itself is simple and easy to get the hang of. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |