In the world of Indie titles, more and more IPs are slowly showing themselves, and Closer the Distance, published by Skybound Games, is certainly one to consider for Best Indie of the Year. It’s a game that doesn’t pull any punches and shows the different ways of coping with grief in an exceptional light.

Although there are a few hiccups along the way, Closer the Distance ensures that you get the full slice-of-life sim experience, with a unique setting that is complimented by its bleak, yet hopeful, atmosphere.

Coping Mechanisms, and Character Interactions

In games like this, the focus is all on the characters, particularly in the way they all interact with each other and the environment. Closer the Distance executes this incredibly well. Right off the bat, you’re thrown into the village of Yesterby, where tragedy has befallen a normal suburban family.

The opening scene sets the mood for how the rest of the game will play out, and this ultimately benefits the game in the long run. Throughout the game, we technically control Angela, a victim of a tragic incident, as we command the people she cared about through her.

This is where the voice acting and dialogue come into play, and it’s clear that it was written by someone who understands human emotions on a much deeper level.

All in all, this is Closer the Distance‘s greatest strength. Characters like Conny, Zek, Galya, Axel, and Pia all have different kinds of interactions with each other and even have development throughout the game’s story.

Simple Gameplay, but Powerful Decisions

As you progress through the narrative, you’re given more and more characters to control. At first, you’ll only be able to control Conny, Angie’s sister, as she can seemingly ‘communicate‘ or ‘hear‘ her. You pretty much have full control of the camera, which can be a bit janky at times, but overall, it’s solid enough that it doesn’t become a hindrance.

At times, it’s like watching a TV show, in which you can set your own camera angles. This is, once again, emphasized by the strong performances of each character. Although big games like Elden Ring are all the fuss lately, it’s nice to see Osmotic Studios and Skybound Games commit to a different game like this.

Each character has their own special tasks that they want to attend to. For example, one of the first tasks is that of Conny wanting to provide support for everyone in these trying times. The interface makes it easy to navigate between characters, and it’s fun to give different characters tasks simultaneously.

In fact, one of the most memorable moments of my playthrough was when I saw two characters that I tasked walking by one another in town. It’s a small thing, but it makes the world feel really lived in.

Though, it is a bit of a shame that the game doesn’t minimize the HUD during character interactions, as I personally really liked it when I could just focus on the characters and their emotions.

Another problem I encountered was when two interactions were happening simultaneously in one house. It was clearly a bug, and practically made both conversations for me meaningless, as I couldn’t focus on one in particular.

Presentation is Prioritized, and It Shows

Although the game may lack realistic visuals, once you get used to the art style, it’s hard to put the controller down. Yesterby feels like a real place, separated from the city and just a small community that helps each other out when times are tough.

Really, it’s a testament to the design of the map, which intricately weaves each point of interest with one another. This works in the game’s favor, as it means that the characters you’ll be controlling will ultimately feel like they’re inhabiting a rich space.

The animations are simple, but they get the job done of conveying the emotions that each character is feeling. Closer the Distance does do this much better than other games in the genre, but admittingly, the animations can be at times a bit over the top.

Osmotic Studios and Skybound Games have done it again. It’s clear that Closer the Distance had a set goal and vision in mind, and it truly feels like it lived up to that. It has a few rough edges, but pretty much all of that is offset by the excellent performances, the sturdy camera, lived-in world, and interesting interactions.

For all this and more, Closer the Distance is well-worth checking out if you want a more laid-back, fresh, and possibly relatable experience.

Closer the Distance – 8/10