Closer The Distance Review (PS5) – Developer Osmotic Studio and publisher Skybound Games have answered the question that has been plaguing humankind since its inception – what if The Sims dealt with grief and mental health problems?
Yeah, okay, you can’t create the characters in Closer The Distance as they’re already set out for you, but the way interactions are carried out in this so-called “slice of life sim” convey, will draw you into its cast of characters in a unique and relatable way that’s rarely if ever been explored in video games before.
The question is then, would you want to listen into the conversations and dialogues of these afflicted souls, or will they bore you like an overlong church sermon?
Closer The Distance Review (PS5) — Hitting Closer To Home
Coming Together In A Crisis
Coming together after tragedy has befallen the quaint little township of Yesterby, the folks of this quiet little berg are struggling to contend with loss, and you play the role of an active listener.
Taking in stories, uncovering memories and conversational secrets, and generally getting to know these people as though they were curious and friendly neighbours who live in your street.
The main character is Angela, who is deceased after becoming victimized in horrible car accident, and can now summon the power of unity and healing from beyond the grave. Instead of spooking town residents and giving them a case of the heebie-jeebies, she helps them by addressing their concerns and guides them to move forward from their overwhelming state of pain and despite the tragic circumstances related to her own death.
This narrative setup is very unique and provides a meticulous and effective contextual backbone by lacing together the unfortunate events of the premise into the inner workings of the gameplay.
As Angela, you can rove around the entirety of Yesterby and check on each resident and what they’re up to by clicking on their Guess Who-like faces on the HUD. You can switch between characters at any time and have them perform actions relative to their goals and desires. You can also watch them move from place-to-place in real time as they journey to help one of their brethren heal from whatever it is that’s keeping them down.
Although you’ve got a pleasing overview of your surrounding and can interact with the characters and uncover their stories, there’s a gnawing detachment to it all. You can peak into the lives of the residents, but without a proper introduction to who they are and what they do, all you’re left with is threadbare characterization.
You know they’re grief-stricken and struggling as a community of people who represent Yesterby, but there’s not enough of a thorough introduction to each character to give you any reason to care deeply about their plights, though if you listen in, you can divulge a healthy amount pertaining to their struggles and inner anguishes.
While surveying each of the characters and keeping an eye on their well-being, you’ll notice a handful of meters on the left-side menu. These meters illustrate how satisfied or unsatisfied a resident is with their personal predicaments in each of the categories displayed, and every character has their own requirements to satisfy.
For example, Axel has a set of wishes and needs pertaining to sleep, occupation, uplift, hunger and remembrance, and his mood and interactions will change depending on the state of these desires and necessities.
Playing With People’s Emotions
Plenty of intrigue lies inside of Closer The Distance, and it’s a pleasant hallmark of the game’s ability to connect with players when you’re given the opportunity to delve deeper into the characters and their psychological states.
The fact each character has their own set of wishes, desires and objectives to fulfill makes them feel like individuals with a purpose to work and heal the community of Yesterby as a whole, which is where the real depth and substance comes alive in this slice of life sim.
One of the most beautiful and relatable aspects of Closer The Distance, is that it’s a game about healing and coming together in a time of crisis.
It’s a game that reminds us that we’re not alone in our suffering and that there are people around us who can allow us to feel wanted and accepted in our darkest hours. In this vein, Closer The Distance channels the powerful connective vibes of Life is Strange, but does so in a unique and community-driven way that gives it its own special uplifting essence.
The flip-side of all this beautiful harmony and coming together is that the story is one-note and usually dreary. This is of course understandable due to the context of the story, yet the sadness rarely gives way to funny stories, anecdotes and reminiscences.
Mourning shouldn’t always be about coping, it should be about healing and celebrating life, and Closer The Distance could’ve done with a brighter side to itself beyond all the persistent morbidity.
The Wounds of the Healing Process
Closer The Distance is held back somewhat by choppiness and uncleanliness. The frame rate chugs with the same uneasiness as a pub regular reaching the end of their latest stupor.
It’s not a good-looking game neither, but this can easily be forgiven as one should not judge the video game by its unimpressive graphics and textures, but more on its heart and the messages it conveys and meaningfulness it displays.
Fast-forwarding time is slow and isn’t worth messing about with, though usually certain characters will display a big exclamation mark next to their picture, so that you can see what they’re doing and what interactions they’re having, granting you immediate insights and a steady sense of progression.
Replay value is a possible indulgence once you’ve done your job in Yesterby because there a litany of interactions and tidbits to unearth.
Whether you’ll want to traipse back through Closer The Distance is questionable, but there is some merriment in a return trip, though you might find the characters a bit too flat to stick around for a second go-around.
Closer But No Cigar?
You may not have expected it, but Closer The Distance is a relatable and worthwhile life sim with a heavy heart and a warming and healing core. The story informs the gameplay in a unique and insightful way as you go about bringing a grieving community closer together by checking in on them and ensuring their needs are being met.
Sure it’s a bit clunky, jagged, and maybe too dreary at times, but there are few other experiences that can bring you closer to a community of lamenting people than Closer The Distance.
If all you’re after is a simple and sorrowful game about healing a group of dejected souls, then this one will fit the bill nicely.
Closer The Distance is now available on PS5.