Originally a Google Stadia exclusive, an upgraded version of Get Packed is coming to other platforms as Get Packed: Fully Loaded. In the vein of couch co-op titles like Overcooked and Tools Up!, Moonshine Studios’ has made a game of chaos, (mostly) inadvertent destruction and comedy. Like these other games, Get Packed can also be played solo, but it’s much more fun with other people.
Stadia users will receive an upgrade to Get Packed for free, while this expanded version will be released on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Steam. CBR was able to go hands-on with the game on PC ahead of its release, and while it can be awkward to play with keyboard and in online mode, it’s still a great experience — one that was definitely made for controllers and couch co-op.
The general goal of most modes is to get as many items safely into the moving truck as possible within a time limit, though there are also goals that involve earning points or money. Players will earn money by completing tasks, though there are deductions for damaged and destroyed goods. Certain items are worth more (like beloved pet cats), while others are so worthless clients won’t care if you leave them in traffic (like throw pillows).
Big items like beds or bathtubs are trickier to move, as their weight slows you down, and others are so light they swing around wildly, causing you to smash objects on your way out. Luckily, there is a way to pack most objects into a box so long as your character is holding them correctly, which can be tricky with the flailing. Players shouldn’t feel limited to what’s in the building though, as anything can go in the truck with enough determination. Forklifts, lemonade stands, toilets, streetlights, secret government tech — just cram it in and haul it off.
Getting items to the moving truck isn’t always easy. In many levels, there is some obstacle in the way, usually a busy road, which can cause destruction as well as bodily harm. Large items are especially hard to get across without being packed — we’ve seen what happens to a sectional sofa when it gets hit by a car. Luckily, clients will still accept the pieces as a horrible form of “some assembly required.” Other items may simply explode entirely, becoming unsalvageable debris.
Getting items onto the truck can be difficult too, and not just because it’s a game of Tetris. Objects often get towed behind characters, which means they’ll be entering the truck first and may become stuck behind objects. Trying to walk or jump out can end up knocking items out, and attempting to place them in more correctly takes up time. It makes packing a bit of a nuisance, but it feels good to get things in properly. Overall, Get Packing‘s gameplay is fun, but a bit tricky because of the physics.
Get Packed also has a Campaign Mode. It tells a story about a town that is being taken over a giant salt conglomerate with plans to transform it into a mega mall/business park. The company is forcing the townspeople out of their homes and, in the wake of this, a group of friends decides to make a quick buck by forming a moving company. While they aren’t exactly heroes, it’s somewhat refreshing to hear a different tale than the expected one. Surprisingly for a game like this where chaotic gameplay is the focus, the story actually has some twists and turns — and even a heist. It definitely gets a little wild, and that’ reflected in later levels.
Campaign Mode is the default mode where up to four players come together to get the job done and try their best to reach that three-star perfection. Even through this is a co-op mode, there is still room for a little competition since, in the end, players are ranked by the worth of items they loaded into the truck.
There are additional little awards in the form of stickers for things like breaking the most items, packing the most boxes and getting trapped on the truck when it’s hauling away a load of items. Speaking of awards, there are a number of costumes, stickers and characters to unlock by just playing the game or aiming for some difficult challenges. This is the perfect way to keep more hardcore players coming back since Get Packed is short but sweet.
Get Packing has other modes too. Versus is exactly what it sounds like: a mode where two or more players (locally or online) compete to earn the most money. It’s missing some mechanics from the campaign, but that’s because there are other ways to mess with opponents like tackling them into the road and stealing things from their truck. This mode can get a boring quickly, however, since there’s a limit to the number of things you can do, and levels are more or less unencumbered by outside trouble.
On the other hand, Destruction Mode offers a good time where players can simply indulge in trashing things. Instead of earning money, the goal here is to cause a much damage as possible. Tear apart a store, set off fireworks indoors, push cars into on-coming traffic and watch them explode — nothing is off limits. This mode is perfect for when players are winding down and just want to go wild. Unfortunately, on the Steam version at least, this mode is only available online, which means no couch co-op.
Overall, Get Packed: Fully Loaded is a colorful and chaotic game that is best played with a few friends. It has some flaws, like getting trapped behind items on a truck or some items being easily damaged, but these are minor. It’s not a long game either, so if you’re looking for something to go hard on, you’ll find it a bit simple unless aiming for full completion. However, as a casual game to play during a get together or on a Friday night online, it’s a good time likely to yield some good laughs swinging around cats, avoiding blowing things up (or not) and more.
Get Packed: Fully Loaded is available now for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Steam and Google Stadia. Review copies were provided by the publisher.
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