A sudden tragedy or loss can be jarring, devastating to a family or community. It’s equally hard when people know something terrible is going to happen, even if they have time to prepare emotionally. Yet when something you took for granted isn’t there anymore, it creates a mix of emotions and reactions that are complex and tormenting at times.
Closer the Distance is a game that deals with these issues, letting you play through a mixture of a narrative adventure and a sim game. It’s deeply nuanced and very original.Â
Let’s start by saying that the writing and storytelling found in Closer the Distance are right at the top of the tree. There is some beautifully written dialogue and monologues, as well as complex and deeply human characters. In fact, it comes with a story that glides sadly around, picking up mini-stories to create a living, breathing amazing piece of narrative.
It is all set in the fictional village of Yesterby, as you get to meet all the residents and how they cope with a tragedy, as answers are required. It reminds me at times of Dylan Thomas’ Under Milk Wood, running a melodic and unorthodox feel to it like that play where we are voyeurs of people’s lives, peeking through windows and observing the events unfold.
Angie has gone. She passed away in an accident and we find ourselves following her sister and family, hearing the news, dealing with their grief. Angie is still there in spirit form, talking to her sister or us. In fact, we play as Angie (or Angela) in reality, guiding her close relatives and friends, helping them to find some peace. How does this happen?
Well, the gameplay has a similar feel to The Sims, where each of the people you meet and control at times all have a list of wants and needs. For example, in the beginning, you take control of Angie’s sister, Connie. She will have a task list to complete by talking to certain people. If you listen to them carefully you can help them and change the story. Swapping characters could happen when there is a special event taking place, as a storytelling event determines the path of the narrative.
Some characters have certain needs, but all are different; one character needs to exercise, another needs to find some focus like knitting, another should spend time watching some TV. Some of the tasks you have along the way are time-dependent so could be missed if you’re not on the ball or choose to focus elsewhere. And that means that Closer the Distance is not always a simple premise, and if you’re not in the mood for a story or narrative then it might not hold much for you.
Get in the mood though and you’ll discover that time can be paused for you to swap around and make decisions. It also can be fast-forwarded, as you skip moments should you be sure there is nothing more to take in. It’s an interesting and intriguing setup, but I do feel that Closer the Distance will require multiple playthroughs to get the full feel of the game.
Visually, the game is delightful. The move from interior to exterior is faultless, whilst the detail in how the place is set up is amazing. Each house has its own personality that reflects the owner of the home and the design and decoration fast become storytellers within themselves. It does a great job with all the character and exterior lighting and the village itself.
And frankly, the sound is amazing – a beautiful and haunting soundtrack playing out at times. It is also fully voiced by an amazing cast that give the characters life and heart. I challenge you to play Closer the Distance and not be a little tearful at times.
Closer the Distance is an important game for storytellers. The main narrative is strong and full of heart, as a community looks to deal with the loss of one person that affects so many different lives, with many permutations. I like the minimal gameplay elements, the delving into and out of different characters to find out what they need. But I also understand that others may well struggle with the format, especially in the early stages as it’s tricky to get into mechanics; when it clicks though, it clicks big time.
If you want to take in a thoughtful journey, one that focuses on how we move through grief then please give Closer the Distance a go.
