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Geek Review: Moving Out

For anyone who had moved at some point of their lives, the act of relocating heavy boxes and bulky furniture is both an art and a science. How should you load the van? Which items go into what boxes? How many times will we get into an argument by the time this entire ordeal is over?

Well, if resource management of this type is up your alley, then Moving Out is exactly all about these emotions and more.

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Developed by SMG Studio, and published by Team 17, Moving Out is just another title you need to add to your Switch library if you’re sick and tired of Overcooked 1 & 2.

Featuring a total of 30 levels of complete and a ridiculous plot, Moving Out has players moving various items from one location to the moving truck. While players don’t really have to bother how gentle they handle the furniture, stacking the moving truck to fit in every single item becomes part Jenga, part Tetris. 

At some point, you’d realize that the bulky bed and sofas always need to go into the back of the truck first but to do so means having to smash through windows and tossing unwanted items aside. With a timer counting down how long it takes to move everything, a single level will be revisited multiple times to get the best scores and complete hidden objectives.

Given how Moving Out’s release is kinda apt in April 2020, most folks might be stuck indoors itching to play a game together. If you’re the type of family which bickers a good bit and is able to laugh it off, Moving Out is the perfect title for a night of fun!

PIVOT!

Getting through that narrow doorway with a L-shaped sofa is just one of the many ‘obstacles’ players will need to navigate in game. As the levels evolve, one needs to figure out the best way to move heavy objects (which need at least 2 players to carry each time) while avoiding the level’s hazards.

Peppered with plenty of references from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Frogger, Ghostbusters, and Super Mario. No prizes when guessing what the developers were influenced by. 

These inspiring titles sadly only go so far to elevate Moving Out from its base gameplay. The later part of the game becomes quite a crawl as players wait for timed hazards to get into position before they are able take the next step.

From a fast paced action to Mega Man esque level navigation, Moving Out slows down the pace quite a fair bit given how thin its mechanics turn out eventually. Apart from moving objects, throwing them around, there’s little else one can do to speed up the process when disappearing platforms are hampering the gameplay speed.

First In, Last Out

Taking at least 12 hours to complete all levels and attaining the minimum Bronze score, Moving Out is truly best played with friends. It’s essential to have that extra pair of hands in order to get the fastest times but not the best idea to complete hidden objectives.

More players in the level means more opportunities to screw things up. For example, if an objective calls for no windows to be broken, it’s wiser to complete the level solo as one gingerly navigates around breakables to score the extra medal.

The reward for completing extra objectives and getting the best times? More cut scenes and a challenge mode which exacerbate how frustrating the controls for Moving Out can be.

Physics Is Not As It Seems

When playing multiplayer, most of us might be equipped with a single joycon which means players will be spending a lot of time cramped around the controller leading to unforced errors.

Carrying a TV together with a friend speeds up the transport by a great deal but it gives players a whole new level of inertia which is challenging for non-gamers to brake and course correct before slamming into an hazard.

While this source of pain might be funny the first time, the frustration can mount especially if you’re gunning for the best times.

If you can help it, be sure to head into the option menu before starting to tweak the controls to make Moving Out a much more enjoyable experience.

However, if you’re still not able to complete levels with your friends or household serenity is at stake, make sure to turn on Access Mode to garner maximum pleasure out of the game.

With a more generous timer, slower hazards, and an overall more forgivable gameplay, Moving Out easily corrects the issues which made Overcooked a frustrating game for players new to gaming.

Be warned, the hit box of items still remains large, so getting that rectangular shaped bed through a doorway might result in an impasse. Given the frenetic nature of the game, be prepared for a good deal of thumbstick wriggling to dislodge the bed from the door frame.

In a time where gaming can bring us together instead of tearing us apart, Moving Out gives players the sense of accomplishment in being able to clear level after level and feel good about themselves. Once they have attained a level of competence, feel free to remove the training wheels and get good. Being on Access Mode doesn’t seem to impact unlocks in any way so feel free to turn it on to give casual players a good time.

Closing the Truck

As players rush towards the moving truck with the last item in hand, beating the timer by just a hair, the room breaks out in a loud cheer. This sensation is something Moving Out is easily able to invoke. As many of us might be stuck indoors, Moving Out gives players a good level of accomplishment. In a time where many might be feeling a tad helpless and accepting what they can do about the situation. While the game might be thin on mechanics, it’s definitely packed full of fun for the whole family.

GEEK REVIEW SCORE

Summary

Taking a stressful real life situation and making it into a game? Moving Out certainly has nailed the experience and we wish there could be more to it.

Overall
7.5/10
7.5/10
  • Gameplay - 7/10
    7/10
  • Story - 7/10
    7/10
  • Presentation - 8/10
    8/10
  • Value - 8/10
    8/10
User Review
0 (0 votes)