Closer the Distance review: A bittersweet tale of a town in mourning that’s as sincere as it is refreshing
Closer the Distance is a unique and touching story told in the style of The Sims, where you decide what happens.
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Image credit:Osmotic Studio
My first rendezvous with Closer the Distance was back during June’s Steam Next Fest , where I spent an hour exploring the quiet town of Yesterby and getting to know an array of distinct, authentic characters as they all deal with a heart-wrenching tragedy; one of their dear inhabitants — a friend and relative — passing away.
It’s an understandably solemn start, and one that saw me keen to carve out space to breathe once my time with the demo came to an end. But I was desperate to jump back in and get to know Yesterby — and its delightfully human cast — despite the pressure of this dour starting point. I was keen to see what impact I could have on their story, considering this short, slice-of-life simulation game is all about what you can do to repair relationships and mend this struggling coastal town.
The way in which this plays out is refreshing; it’s beautiful, vibrant, and despite the saddening subject matter, there is something magically understated about it. When you first step foot in Yesterby, you’re presented with this The Sims -inspired way of controlling and observing characters that is cross-pollinated with the deeply personal storytelling of Life is Strange .
You can get a real good look at the townsfolks’ lives and delve deeper into their heads; you have access to their whims, desires, relationships, and more, but you can only take control of (and manipulate) a select few consequential elements of it all. This is where Angela, our main character, comes in.
Those who work in glass houses. |Image credit:Osmotic Studios
Angela (or Angie, if you’re familiar) is the heart of Yesterby and, sadly, our time in the scenic town starts with her passing. Sister to Conny, the first character we gain control of, it soon becomes clear that Angie’s presence is still felt around Yesterby; so much so that she can commune with those closest to her, help them to move on and find peace again. This is where you, the player, comes in, as the one ultimately acting as Angela; dictating the actions and future of these inhabitants in an attempt to help them remember why they came to Yesterby in the first place.
Of the 13 characters that come to live in Yesterby, you gain the ability to control five of them; Angie’s sister Conny, her boyfriend Zek, her best friend River, her doctor and godmother Galya, and the mysterious musician, Laul. And while taking on the responsibilities of these characters (and helping them find happiness) again might seem straight-forward, Closer the Distance reminds you, regularly, that mourning — and making life-changing decisions — is never easy.
Can you feel the Life is Strange influence? |Image credit:Osmotic Studios
You ultimately have to decide what these characters want, and what is most important to them as they work through their grief. And, just like in real life, their wants and needs will sometimes comes at the expense of others. Take Galya, for example, who is so desperate to help Angie’s family find normality again, running herself ragged cleaning up the local cemetery and chapel to help grieving mother, Pia.
Gayla is so dedicated to the cause that she can wind up neglecting her own family in the process and losing sight of herself. It’s important to find balance for many of these characters; a way in which they can support each other while not losing touch with what’s most important to them.
Zek is another example. He wants to leave town, despite his dad’s disapproval. Or River, who’s father desperately wants to revive Yesterby with a showboat despite nearly everyone in the town hating the idea. There’s also Conny, Angie’s sister, attempting to breathe life into the wilting connections between her family and friends, but which she can only do with their reciprocation.
Amidst all inter-personal jostling, you can check in on any character at any time without missing any important moments. By the end of thge game, you will not just be familiar with the characters you have control of, but everyone else you meet. You’ll be in step with their personal rituals, keenly aware of when they wake up, when they socialise, when they take a little moment to themselves to breathe through the pain.
Henrietta, an elderly woman who lives by the beach, naps and goes fishing everyday. There’s Eli, a young boy who doesn’t understand why everyone is being ‘weird’ right now, and Melville, a carpenter who’s past turmoil is coming to the surface amidst Yesterby’s current troubles. It becomes clear that everyone could use a friend, and it’s up to you — and those you can take control of — to bring about these changes.
Better lake than never. |Image credit:Osmotic Studios
As a result, Closer the Distance requires strategizing and careful planning, as well as a lot of listening, if you wish to mend the many broken hearts that are trying to heal themselves in Yesterby. Don’t let this put you off, though. You won’t need a pen and paper to hand. In fact, get some snacks and make yourself comfortable for this story; the most important thing to do in Yesterby, I’ve found, is listen.
With your judgements set aside and your ears open, it has this magical effect on you; it is so deeply bitter-sweet throughout, making you smile while tugging at your heartstrings in the same breath. It’s deeply thoughtful, with honest dialogue and emotive storytelling that will have you constantly questioning what the ‘right’ thing to do is. If there even is one.
At times, I wished I could reach into my screen and hug these wonderful characters and tell them that it’ll be okay, but as the whimsical musician that is Laul — a character who is so desperate to help this town he is unfamiliar with — later kept reminding me, this isn’t always the most helpful thing you can be doing. It often felt like Laul was a reminder that I should really be putting my own desperation to help and what that might look like aside in favor of listening to the needs and wants of the characters in front of you.
You’re bound to make mistakes with such an emotionally-driven narrative at play, but with some hope from beyond the grave in Closer the Distance, you can help Yesterby move on. And if you had as wonderful a time as I did and are wondering how you can do things differently, there’s nothing stopping you from going back in time and trying to pick up the pieces all over again.
Closer the Distance comes to Steam, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S on August 2, 2024 . This review was conducted on code provided by the publisher, and on the PC version of the game.
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Life is Strange meets The Sims in deeply moving Steam Next Fest demo for Closer the Distance
Closer the Distance is an emotional simulation game that tells the tale of a beautiful town amidst a terrible tragedy.
Image credit:Osmotic Studios
It’s not often that a game - well, a Steam Next Fest demo - has such a profound impact on you that you need to take a breather afterwards. But then again, maybe I’m just not used to playing the type of game that Closer the Distance is. A cross-pollination of two genres, simulation and storytelling, Closer the Distance has, so far, set itself up to be something very special.
From the get go, Closer the Distance has a beautiful soundtrack and a solemn tone. Developed by Osmotic Studios, the developers invite you into the sleepy town of Yesterby, where tragedy has struck and the whole community is feeling the effects of it. This tragedy takes the form of an accident involving Angela, a girl who is described as having been the heart of the community, and it’s plain to see that the loss of her is shaping up to be the straw that broke the camel’s back for some of the people of Yesterby; this is a town in crisis and in conflict, but it need not be like that.
Image credit:Osmotic Studios
Taking on the role of Angie - from beyond the dead - it’s up to you to influence the decisions of Yesterby’s remaining inhabitants in an attempt to heal the community and restore some form of happiness to the town once again. This is where the simulation aspect comes in; starting with Angie’s sister, Conny, who can hear Angie’s insight from beyond the grave, you can determine what course of action people take. Will Conny do some sewing today to help distract her from her sister’s passing? What about a family friend, Galya? Will she help Angie’s father dig his daughter’s grave and tend to his farm, or will she leave him to it? And later in the demo, we unlock Angie’s partner, Zek, who must decide what type of headstone to carve for his lover. It’s all very somber.
As your controllable characters complete their tasks and tend to their needs, you can also spy on what other characters across the town are doing, in true The Sims style. Sometimes they’re reading books, gardening, and watching TV. Lots of typical stuff. Other times, you see Pia - Angie’s mother - mourning her daughter while everyone else in Yesterby sleeps, or taking long, middle of the night walks to ease her grieving. Closer the Distance is very thoughtful and real, displaying a whole range of sincere emotions and reactions that accompany loss.
Image credit:Osmotic Studios
And, well, with the aid of Angie’s voice, a responsibility is placed upon Conny to bring the town together again. While simple at first, there’s a level of strategy required in Closer the Distance. There’s only a certain amount of time to complete some actions, and these actions can determine the feelings of other characters; this gets increasingly complicated as you unlock and manage more characters. Fortunately, there is a pause function, and the game makes sure that you never miss out on important moments of dialogue by notifying you when events are unfolding. Your choices can develop relationships, and while I didn’t experience this in the demo, I imagine that you can damage them, too.
The main goal of Closer the Distance is to endeavor to do what you can to help this community heal, and I imagine it won’t be easy. After all, navigating grief - and people’s experiences of it - is fluid and, well, there is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes down to it. Closer the Distance certainly displays that in its brief opening, and it’s easy to make mistakes - especially when emotions are high - so I can see that happening plenty here, and that’s part of the hook. You so desperately want to help this town by the time you’re done with the demo, and I can’t wait to see how the story of Yesterby unfolds with Angie’s aid.
Don’t get me wrong, by the time I’d finished the demo, I was also eager to give my emotions a break from just how bittersweet Closer the Distance is. But that’s a testament to what Osmotic Studios has achieved so far here; a game that feels physically distinct from others while borrowing elements from The Sims, Life is Strange , and more, while also being incredibly sincere in its story. And its inclusivity!
Closer the Distance was previewed on PC with a demo code provided by the publisher. It is expected to release during 2024 on PC via Steam , PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One.
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