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Moving Houses is a deceptive little title that shouldn’t be taken on face value. The action unfolds slowly, and things aren’t as they seem. Furthermore, there is a horror and psychological twist that some may find uncomfortable. However, if you can accept the sinister edge, you’ll enjoy a short but strange experience.
This physics-based adventure was developed by Gordon Little and published by Eastasiasoft Limited. It is a first-person single-player game that has some light puzzling moments. Yet, it is the eerie edge that gets you talking. The house shifts and alters as the true meaning of the plot begins to literally haunt you.
Moving Houses tells an odd story.
A game about loading a moving vehicle shouldn’t be creepy. After all, the art of loading boxes and moving them is enough to bore you to tears. However, the developer has done a nice job of mixing things up while keeping you second-guessing.
On paper, Moving Houses is about grabbing some items and loading them into a moving truck. Yet, once you scratch the surface, you realise there is more that meets the eye. The game delivers a heartfelt message of trauma and loss. Moreover, it highlights that moving on is painful and tough and much harder than expected.
Touching mechanics.
The developer leans heavily on some clichéd fundamentals. Moving furniture, shifting items, and sinister sounds make up the well-trodden elements. However, once you cut through the classic moments, Moving Houses begins to shine.
As you move from room to room, you realise that new memories and areas come to the fore. Furthermore, cinematic highlights painful and long-forgotten memories. This storytelling was brilliantly deliberate and blunt. What’s more, it shifts the story and the emotions from a relaxing packing endeavour to something much more chilling.
Moving Houses has some nice touches.
Though Moving Houses isn’t perfect, the eye for detail is great. Each household item is nicely presented, and I like the ever-shifting environment. Additionally, the introduction of a ghostly figure was fantastic. As the game evolves, things become darker and more unusual. Furthermore, the pacing was spot on, and things rarely outstay their welcome.
The atmospheric audio sends chills down your spine. Though music isn’t a key factor, there are a few dated tracks to add depth to the story. Instead, the audio is dominated by uncomfortable sounds and deafening silence. This combination creates a suspenseful and cutting atmosphere that is tough to forget.
Clumsy controls.
Moving Houses should have been simple to play. Yes, the fundamentals are easy to master, but the wayward controls create unnecessary frustration. Things rarely go to plan as you throw items into packing boxes or the back of the van. This wouldn’t be so bad, but the cursor highlights your intended throwing direction and sends items wherever it likes. Consequently, this was annoying, frustrating, and lacking in polish.
There are 3 game modes to test and keep you coming back for more. I won’t be pushing to return as 1 playthrough was enough. However, if you wish to test your packing skills or witness some uncut gameplay, you can.
Moving Houses was wonderfully uncomfortable.
The mixture of relaxing gameplay and sinister undercurrents was amazing. Furthermore, the minor changes to the house keep you on your toes. Though Moving Houses relies on some clichéd mechanics, they work well throughout. Accordingly, I enjoyed this touching and occasionally weird title and recommend buying it here! Can you pack up your life and move on? Grab some boxes, shift some goods, and hope that your memories don’t haunt you.
