‘Closer’ review: A bittersweet story of a grieving town is both heartfelt and refreshing

I first encountered Closer the Distance during Steam Next Fest in June, when I spent an hour exploring the quiet town of Yesterby and meeting a series of unique and authentic characters, all of whom were experiencing a heartbreaking tragedy: the death of one of their dear residents – a friend and relative.

It’s understandably a serious start, and after my demo was over, I was eager to take some time to breathe. But despite the stress of this dull start, I was eager to get back into Yesterby and get to know it and its delightfully human cast. I was eager to see what impact I could have on their story, because this short, close-to-life sim is all about what you can do to repair relationships and save this troubled coastal town.

The game’s presentation is refreshing; it’s beautiful, vibrant, and despite its sad subject matter, there’s something magically understated about it. When you first step into Yesterby, you’re greeted by this The Sims-inspired way of controlling and observing your characters, blended with the deeply personal storytelling of Life is Strange.

You get to really get into the lives of the townspeople and get to know their minds; you get to know their whims, desires, relationships, and more, but you can only control (and manipulate) a few important elements of them. That’s where our protagonist, Angela, comes in.

Angela (or Angie, if you’re familiar) was the heart and soul of Yesterby, and sadly, our time in this picturesque town begins with her passing. She was the sister of Connie, the first character we took control of, and it doesn’t take long for us to discover that Angie’s presence is still around Yesterby; so much so that she can communicate with those closest to them, helping them to move on and find peace again. It’s you, the player, who ultimately plays as Angela; who decides the actions and future of these residents, trying to help them remember why they came to Yesterby in the first place.

Of the 13 characters that populate Yesterby, you take control of five: Angie’s sister Conny, her boyfriend Zek, her best friend River, her doctor and godmother Galya, and the mysterious musician Laul. While it might seem simple enough to take on the responsibility of these characters again (and help them find happiness), Closer the Distance regularly reminds you that mourning—and making life-changing decisions—is never easy.

You ultimately have to decide what these characters want and what’s most important to them as they work through their grief. And, just like in real life, their wishes and needs sometimes come at the expense of others. Take Galya, for example, who is so eager to help Angie’s family get back to normal that she keeps herself busy, cleaning local cemeteries and churches to help grieving mother Pia.

Gellar gets so caught up in her career that she ends up neglecting her family and losing herself in it. It’s important for many of these characters to find a balance; a way that they can support each other while not losing sight of what’s most important to them.

Another example is Zeke. He wants to leave town, despite his father’s objections. Or River, whose father is desperate to revitalize Yesterby with a yacht, even though almost everyone in town hates the idea. Or Angie’s sister Connie, who tries to breathe life into the withering ties between her family and friends, but she can only do so by relying on their return.

During interpersonal conflicts, you can check in on any character at any time without missing any important moments. By the end of the game, you will be familiar not only with the character you control, but also with everyone else you meet. You will be in tune with their personal habits, acutely aware of when they wake up, when they socialize, and when they take a moment to breathe to ease the pain.

There’s Henrietta, an old woman who lives by the sea, spending her days napping and fishing. There’s Eli, a young boy who doesn’t understand why everyone is so “weird” right now, and Melville, a carpenter whose turbulent past surfaces in the midst of Yesterby’s current predicament. It’s clear that everyone needs friends, and it’s up to you — and those you can control — to make these changes happen.

So if you want to mend the broken hearts that are trying to heal themselves in Yesterby, Closer the Distance requires strategy and careful planning, as well as a lot of listening. Don’t let that discourage you, though. You don’t need to have a pen and paper handy. In fact, grab some snacks and make yourself comfortable to read this story; I found the most important thing in Yesterby is just listening.

It does wonders to you when you let go of your judgement and open your heart; it’s bittersweet from beginning to end, making you smile while tugging at your heartstrings. It’s thoughtful, sincere dialogue, moving narrative, and will have you constantly questioning what the “right” thing to do is. If there is one.

There were times when I wanted to reach out to the screen, hug these lovable characters, and tell them that everything was going to be okay, but as the whimsical musician Laul—a character so eager to help this unfamiliar town—would later remind me, that’s not always the most helpful thing you can do. Laul often felt like a reminder that I really should put aside my own desperation and the possibility of helping, and instead listen to the needs and desires of the characters in front of you.

In a narrative this emotionally driven, you’re bound to make mistakes, but with some hope from beyond the grave in Closer the Distance, you can help Yesterby keep moving forward. If you’re like me and have a great time and wonder what you would have done differently, there’s nothing stopping you from going back and picking it all up again.

Closer the Distance is now available on Steam, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S August 2, 2024. This review was conducted on code provided by the publisher and the PC version of the game.