Rarely does a game (like the Steam Next Fest demo) leave such a profound impact on you that you need to take a break after playing it. But then again, maybe I’m just not used to playing that kind of Closer distance Yes. Closer the Distance is a fusion of the two genres, simulation and storytelling, and so far it has become a very special game.
From the outset, Closer the Distance has a beautiful soundtrack and a solemn tone. Developed by Osmotic Studios, the developers invite you into the sleepy town of Yesterby, where a tragedy has struck and the entire community has been affected. This tragedy has occurred in the form of an accident involving Angela, a girl described as the heart of the community, and it is clear that her passing will be the straw that breaks the camel’s back for some in Yesterby; the town is in crisis and conflict, but it shouldn’t be this way.
Taking on the role of Angie – who comes from beyond death – you need to influence the decisions of Yesterby’s remaining residents in an attempt to heal the community and restore some form of happiness to the town once again. This is where the simulation aspect comes into play; starting with Angie’s sister Conny, who gets to hear Angie’s insights from beyond the grave, you get to decide what actions people take. Will Conny do some sewing today to distract herself from her worries about her sister’s death? What about family friend Galya? Will she help Angie’s father dig his daughter’s grave and tend to his farm, or will she leave him alone? Later in the demo, we unlocked Angie’s partner Zek, who had to decide what kind of tombstone to carve for his loved one. It was all very serious.
As your character completes tasks and attends to their needs, you can also peek in on what other characters in the town are doing, in true Sims style. Sometimes they’re reading, gardening, and watching TV. Lots of typical stuff. Other times, you’ll see Pia – Angie’s mother – mourning her daughter while everyone else in Yesterby is asleep, or taking long walks in the middle of the night to ease her grief. Closer the Distance is incredibly thoughtful and authentic, showcasing a range of genuine emotions and reactions that come with loss.
And, with the help of Angie’s voice, it’s up to Connie to bring the town back together. While it starts out simple, there’s a degree of strategy required in Closer Distance. You only have a certain amount of time to complete certain actions, and those actions can determine how other characters feel; this becomes increasingly complex as you unlock and manage more characters. Fortunately, there’s a pause feature, and the game makes sure you don’t miss important moments of conversation by notifying you as events unfold. Your choices can grow relationships, and while I didn’t get to experience that in my demo, I imagine you can also destroy them.
The main goal of Closer the Distance is to do what you can to help this community recover, and I imagine that won’t be easy. After all, navigating grief – and people’s experience of grief – is constantly changing, and, ultimately, there’s no “one size fits all” approach. Closer the Distance does show this in its brief opening, and it’s easy to make mistakes – especially when emotions are running high – so I can see that happening a lot here, and that’s part of the game’s appeal. By the time you finish the demo, you’ll be really motivated to help this town, and I can’t wait to see how Yesterby’s story unfolds with Angie’s help.
Don’t get me wrong, by the time I finished the demo, I was eager to let go of the bittersweet feeling of Closer the Distance. But it’s a testament to what Osmotic Studios has accomplished so far; a game that feels distinct from other games while borrowing elements from The Sims, Life is Strange, and more, and whose storytelling is incredibly sincere. And it’s inclusive!
Closer the Distance has been previewed on PC with a demo code provided by the publisher. The game is expected to be released on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One in 2024.
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