Unpacking is a very relaxed puzzle game that simulates unpacking a new home. While the game is story-driven, there are no real challenges in the way of time limits, etc. Players can spend as much time as they want finishing unpacking their homes – like in real life.
With only eight different levels (houses), the game can go quickly, with many players finishing it within a couple of hours. The game is available on PC, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox, with Xbox also featuring it in Xbox Game Pass, so if you’re a member, you can install it for free.
Understanding the goal of Unpacking
The goal of Unpacking is right there in the title. It is a game about unpacking and organizing your new home. Each level contains boxes that need to be unpacked. All of the various items in the boxes need to be placed in their proper locations to finish a level and move to the next one. While all this seems simple enough, the game can become tricky if you’re not sure what an item is or where it should go.
While many players enjoy this challenge as it’s the only challenge, some may prefer to enjoy a relaxing unpacking game. If this sounds like you, you can switch on the accessibility options in the setting menu. This will enable players to place items anywhere they want. Since this is an in-game setting, it doesn’t affect the achievements like a cheat or mod would, so you can still collect them.
5 Best tips to finish every level in Unpacking
Now that you have a basic understanding of the game, let’s look at how to finish every level in unpacking and the easiest ways to do this.
#1 Get all the Unpacking achievements
The only way to complete the game 100% is by getting all the achievements, including the hidden ones. Some achievements are apparent, such as getting one for every level you complete. However, other achievements are more difficult to get. Don’t worry; we’ll cover all the achievements and how to get them for each level later in this article.
#2 Don’t forget to follow the story in Unpacking
There is a storyline attached to the game. While you don’t have to follow the story to complete the eight levels, it can give you clues to some achievements and where to place certain items.
#3 Boxes can contain stray items
Most levels, except the first one, have multiple rooms, and each room contains three boxes to unpack. However, you’ll quickly notice that the boxes may contain stray items. So instead of trying to find a place for the toaster in the bedroom, you can move it to a more suitable room on the same level, such as a kitchen. You’ll have to move some of these stray items to other rooms to get all of the achievements.
#4 There is a right and wrong spot for every item
There is a right and wrong spot for everything if you are playing the game with the default settings. If you have the accessibility mode switched on, you can place items anywhere. You can place a microwave on the bedside table, and it would be right. However, when playing the game in its default, more challenging state, there is a suitable place for everything and part of your job is finding that perfect spot.
#5 If you’re unsure what an item is in Unpacking, hold it in different ways
This game features many nostalgic items from the 1990s, and sometimes it’s difficult to tell what they are. If you find it difficult to see more detail than just a bunch of pixels, try rotating the item to get a better idea of what it is. Sometimes a different angle can make all the difference.
Achievements to get to finish each level in Unpacking
To complete Unpacking 100%, you will need to get all the achievements. While you’ll get some achievements simply by playing the game, some of them might be more difficult and require specific interactions with various items found in the game. So, rather than picking up every item you just placed, here’s a handy guide to completing all the achievements for each level.
Level 1: 1997
Here are the achievements you can get in the first Unpacked level.
Rubix Cube
In one of the boxes you’re unpacking, you’ll find a Rubix cube. Before placing it in its final spot, interact with the Rubix cube until it is solved to get the ‘Solve a Puzzle’ achievement.
Camera
The camera is usually the last item in the box that needs to be unpacked. Once you place the old polaroid camera, you will receive the ‘Making Memories’ achievement.
Level 2: 2004
Here are the achievements you can get in the second Unpacked level.
Flushing all the toilets
This is the first level that will feature a toilet. You have to flush all the toilets throughout the game to achieve ‘Gotta Flush Em All.’
Artist model
While you’re busy unpacking, you’ll come across a wooden artist model. You’ll need to interact with this model until you get it into a dab position. Once in this position, you can place down the model to achieve the ‘Strike a Pose’ award.
Put the toaster in the bathtub
This is one of those achievements that makes no sense, and we wonder who the player was that first discovered it. By placing the toaster in the bathtub, you’ll get the ‘Electrical Hazard’ achievement.
Put the cookie jar on the top shelf
This is a fun achievement and a difficult one to discover without a helpful guide. While unpacking and organizing the kitchen, you’ll need to place the cookie jar on the top shelf to get the ‘A Sometimes Food’ achievement.
Level 3: 2007
Here are the achievements you can get in the third Unpacked level.
Flush the toilet
This level contains another toilet that you need to flush.
Put the green cap on the mannequin bust
While unpacking, you’ll come across a green cap. This green cap needs to be placed on the mannequin’s bust found in the dining room. You’ll see two busts on the top of the shelf, and one already has a pink wig on. By placing the cap on the empty head, you’ll achieve the ‘Hat on Head’ achievement.
Put the game cube in the TV cabinet and switch it on
In the living room, you’ll unpack a blue square-shaped gaming console. This console needs to be placed into the TV cabinet, and then you need to interact with it to switch it on. Doing this will unlock the ‘Game On’ achievement.
Level 4: 2010
Here are the achievements you can get in the fourth Unpacked level.
Flush the toilet
Again, you’ll find another toilet on this level. Flush it to work your way to the achievement.
Start the record player
You’ll also unpack the record player and should interact with it to switch it on. Once it’s on, you’ll receive the ‘Blast Some Tunes’ achievement.
Put all coffee-related items on the kitchen island
Once in the kitchen, you’ll need to put all the coffee-making items on the center island. This can be tricky as not all of the equipment is in the boxes. Some of them are already packed away in cupboards or on shelves, so you’ll have to check those. Once all six coffee-making items are on the island, you’ll receive the ‘Brew Some Coffee’ award.
Neatly arrange the underwear drawer
Next, you’ll have to head to the bedroom and open the closet. Then open the second drawer from the top, take out all the folded pairs of underwear, and place them on top of the chest of drawers. Now open the top drawer and add all the underwear so that they are neatly packed in one drawer to get the ‘Tidy Whities’ achievement.
Level 5: 2012
Here are the achievements you can get in the fifth Unpacked level.
Put the poster on the wall
In the starting bedroom, check the left door of the cupboard where the cassette tape holder is. Here you’ll see a rolled-up poster. Take the poster out and put it up on the wall. By doing this, you’ll achieve the ‘Rediscover Childhood’ award.
Level 6: 2013
Here are the achievements you can get in the sixth Unpacked level.
Flush the toilet
This level features another toilet that needs to be flushed as part of the achievement.
Unpack and set the time on the microwave
Unpack the microwave and place it on the counter next to the kitchen sink. Once placed, interact with it to set the time to the current time. By doing this, you’ll unlock the ‘12:00’ achievement.
Arrange fridge magnets on the side of the fridge
From the boxes, you’ll also unpack fridge magnets. Arrange them on the side of the fridge to form the equation 1+2=3 to unlock the ‘Brilliantly Solved’ achievement.
Level 7: 2015
Here are the achievements you can get in the seventh Unpacked level.
Flush the toilet
This level features another toilet that needs to be flushed as part of the achievement.
Put all the plants on the tables
You’ll see many different plants placed on the floor or on top of boxes in the rooms on this level. They all need to be moved to a table, counter or shelf. By doing this, you’ll achieve the ‘Green Thumb’ achievement.
Put the stuffed animals next to each other
Once you start unpacking the boxes in the bedroom, you’ll come across two stuffed animals, the pig, and the tiger. Place them next to each other on the bed to earn the achievement ‘Fuzzy Friends.’
Level 8: 2018
Here are the achievements you can get in the final Unpacked level.
Flush both toilets
This level has two bathrooms, both with a toilet that has to be flushed. You’ll be awarded the’ Gotta Flush Em All’ achievement by flushing these toilets (and all the toilets from previous levels).
Stack the blocks
You need to unpack and stack the building blocks in at least a five-block tower in the baby room. By stacking the blocks, you’ll unlock the achievement ‘Baby Builder.’ Once you’ve gotten the achievements on this level and finished packing out the rest of the house, you’ll finish the game and should have a 100% completion if you follow all these steps.
Become an Unpacking master
There you have it! You’re all set to complete every level in Unpacking and achieve all the goals. We hope you’re able to finally finish it and show off to your friends.
