Snapshot Review: ‘Closer the Distance,’ Further from loneliness

There are a galaxy of Indie games devoted to introspective emotions. You could be forgiven for passing by some, if you’re anticipating a twee, superficial experience. Speaking as someone who consumes melancholic media like a Hot Ones contest devours chicken wings, Closer is the Distance, made by Osmosis Games (of the previous title Orwell) and produced by Skybound Games, will definitely meet the expectations of anyone who needs a feels trip.

The very last day

The game opens one evening, with game protagonist Conny and her family being visited by the police. Her sister, Angela, went out earlier in the day; it’s getting late, and she’s still not home. The cops bring bad news: there was an accident, Angela didn’t make it. From beyond the grave, you guide Conny as she, and eventually several other characters, finds closure and healing.

Angela’s home town of Yesterby is already reeling from a previous bereavement, in addition to the struggling town’s economic needs, and the characters are all reacting in their own way: anger, despair, frustration. Each character has a series of needs to be met (for example, Connie requires solitude), and a series of mini objectives that you can meet or ignore, though the burden of failing someone falls on your conscience.

Moving forwards

Every day Conny or the other characters you control fulfill the needs of both themselves and the people around them. Important events happen, but Closer the Distance’s conceit is that time only moves forwards, and while you can bounce between several perspectives, time can’t be rewound. You miss an important interaction, it’s lost forever. You need to make choices about who you help, which will close off opportunities to help others.

The characters are engaging (I restarted my first playthrough because I believed I wasn’t doing a good enough job helping her) and make me want to do my best. Gameplay can be vexing at times: I wouldn’t say that Closer the Distance tutorializes its gameplay well, so make sure you click adventurously.

Graphically, the game operates as selecting between various characters as they go about their lives (if you’re not careful, they’ll wander away before they accomplish anything). Once you juice up the personality aspect they need, you’ll be able to assist them accomplishing their tasks. Given the progressive time mechanic, you need to really keep on eye on your characters, lest things expire before they’re ready to do anything–and you can’t do everything.

One town, five characters

All in all, Closer the Distance is a game based on exploring the relationships and needs of others. The plot is difficult to predict, given there are several characters with desires that profoundly impact the community. It keeps you on your toes, since you’re not sure if you’re guiding the characters towards their destiny or defeat.

Closer the Distance is one of the year’s most unique and moving games, and well worth your time.

Closer the Distance is available via Steam, Xbox, and Nintendo. This review is based on the Xbox version.