Unpacking (video game)

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Unpacking is a 2021 puzzle video game by Australian studio Witch Beam, published by Humble Bundle. It’s available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation 4/5, iOS, and Android. It released on PC, Switch, and Xbox One on November 2, 2021; PS4 and PS5 on May 10, 2022; and iOS/Android on August 24, 2023. Physical editions were published by Limited Run Games in 2022.

Gameplay and story
In each stage, named after the year it takes place (1997, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2018), you unpack a woman’s belongings from boxes into a new home. You must fit items into the rooms, learning about the protagonist through her possessions. Some items have fixed places to complete the stage. Across all homes, there are 35 rooms.

Development
Witch Beam, based in Brisbane, Australia, is an independent studio known for Assault Android Cactus (2015). Unpacking began from a personal idea by Wren Brier in 2018 while she lived with co-director Tim Dawson; production started in 2019 after participating in Sweden’s Stugan accelerator. The game is mostly wordless, letting players learn the story through objects. It was designed with accessibility in mind and includes numerous sound effects (over 14,000 foley sounds).

Reception and awards
Unpacking received generally favorable reviews and many praise for its storytelling and accessibility. It won two BAFTA Games Awards, a D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game, and Eurogamer’s Game of the Year. It also earned IGDA Global Industry Awards for 2D Animation and 2D Environment Art, and was listed among the best games of 2021 by several outlets.

Clones and legacy
In January 2022, a clone called Unpacking Master appeared on iOS and Android, drawing criticism for copying mechanics and later facing removal from the App Store and Google Play. Witch Beam said the clone was not their game. SayGames apologized and was criticized for aggressive marketing. In December 2024, Wren Brier noted additional clones on the Nintendo eShop marketed as DLC for the original game.