Bibliographic Information

Title: Unpacking

Developer: Witch Beam

Release Date: November 2, 2021

UPC: 819976029058*

Genre

Puzzle

Format

Video Game

Available Platforms

PC, Switch*, XBox One, Playstation, iOS, Android

Mode

Single-player

ESRB Rating

E – Everyone

Awards or Honors Include

• D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game (2022)
• Gayming Award for Best LBGTQ Indie Game (2022)
• Peabody Award Nominee (2023)

Game Summary

Unpacking is a first-person perspective game that opens in an empty bedroom with stacks of boxes on the floor. The player opens each box to reveal a variety of items that need to be placed in specific locations throughout the room. When all items are placed correctly, the game progresses in time to a new room or a dwelling with several rooms. There are 8 stages of the game, with 35 rooms in all, that cover 21 years of the character’s life. As the player unpacks items at each stage, they learn more intimate details of the character’s life and family.

*this post is based on the Switch version of the game

Developer Background

Witch Beam is a small independent game studio with just four employees based in Brisbane, Australia. They were founded in 2013 and have published just two games – Assault Android Cactus and Unpacking. They are currently working on a third project called Tempopo, a puzzle game about rescuing musical flowers (Witch Beam, n.d.).

Critical Evaluation

While Unpacking is categorized as a “puzzle” game by the developer, it can also be understood as a “zen” or “cozy” game. It’s very peaceful and meditative to simply focus on unpacking each box and essentially decorating the character’s home. It’s also strangely moving to get to know them through their belongings and environment. I did get frustrated a few times because there are NO instructions or help guides, and the illustration style of the game sometimes makes it hard to identify objects to understand where they should be placed. In those cases, I simply called my daughter, who has played through the game several times. Unpacking is a lovely, relaxing game that can be played for a gentle escape, or even to keep oneself busy while needing to listen to something like a presentation or audiobook.

Creative Use for a Library Program

Unpacking would be very easy to replicate in a library setting. A house plan could be drawn on a magnetic whiteboards, with images of domestic items placed on magnets. Youth could participate collaboratively in teams to go through their collection of magnetic items and place them in the correct spot on the board. Youth could even bring their own magnets to add flair or a personal touch to their team’s dwelling. Once teams are done “unpacking” their items and decorating their homes, they could share with the group as a whole.

Speed Round Talk

Unpacking takes the simple act of moving day and turns it into an artform as we help the main character decorate their various homes through time and ponder the question: what do our possessions tell the world about who we are and what we love?

Potential Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation

There may be some pushback over the inclusion of LGBTQ+ representation in the game, but it’s so mundane and low-stakes that would be hard to imagine.

Reason for Inclusion

While I think it’s good that many materials for today’s youth are asking big questions or starting hard conversations, I think it’s important for teens to have low-stakes entertainment options, too. As a game, Unpacking strikes a great balance of providing moments of zen while still encouraging understanding and empathy for the main character, both valuable qualities in entertainment for contemporary teens.

Buy items from the game!

Visit the Unpacking merch store.