[Review] Relocating with the PlayStation 5

Absolutely! Let’s dive into this wild world of moving houses, but, like, not literally moving the house. That’d be insane. So I’m talking about the game “Moving Houses” by eastasiasoft and Gordon Little. You pack stuff, like your entire life squashed into boxes. Who knew organizing chaos could be fun? Or maybe it’s just my thing. Anyway, here goes my take on it.

You ever have that moment where you’re like, "I should pack up my stuff," but then you just binge-watch a show instead? Well, Moving Houses forces you to face that particular brand of procrastination, without actually having to pack. Thank the gaming gods for small mercies—or maybe not because it gets freakishly real.

So, you kick things off with what seems like a laid-back task, just shoving things into boxes, right? Wrong. At first, it’s all fun and games—yeah, good ol’ Normal Mode, just easing you in. Then comes Extra Packing Mode, like, “Surprise! You’re not done yet!” And there’s this Cut Content Mode. Why it’s called that? No clue, but it’s the extras you didn’t think you needed.

Now, the controls. Oh boy. Picture trying to dial back a rotary phone, while blindfolded, underwater. The insane precision they expect with the analog sticks versus using a mouse—yeah, you heard me—might have you tossing your controller. Almost did myself. Forks and spoons playing hide and seek in drawers like they own the place, seriously?

And then there’s the jog of shame between the house and the truck. You’d think after a while they’d install a conveyor belt or something. You lug huge items individually, and they catch on corners like bad ’80s leg warmers. You don’t even notice half the time until you’re retracing your very tired steps.

But let’s talk vibes! This game throws curveballs, little mysteries about why you’re even moving. Spoiler: it might not just be about needing more closet space. The DualSense vibrations that simulate a heartbeat—why do I find this oddly comforting or unsettling? Maybe both. Oh, and the music! It’s good enough that I didn’t mute it, so there’s that.

Trophies! You collect them like stickers on a suitcase (that you’re probably packing for another move). Shiny Platinum anyone? It’s not tough, but you’ll need a few extended coffee breaks.

The final verdict? If you crave a storyline that unfolds like a well-kept family recipe, and you tolerate frustrating controls like a seasoned gamer—this might just be your jam. And hey, if you snag the game for $12.99, you can play it on both PS4 and PS5. Cross-buy, let’s go!

End scene. Hope you didn’t lose any boxes.

Does it sound like a ramble? Great. That’s how it’s supposed to be! Enjoy unpacking the game. Or don’t. Your choice.