Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 83 | 26 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 90% | 84 | 147 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 89% | 83 | 103 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Mar 11, 2025) · 103 reviews sampled · 98 total reviews in window · weighted 72.6 up / 9.1 down · computed 4h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (17)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 85
“In short, Closer the Distance is an emotionally charged game from start to finish. Not only will it entertain you, but it will also make you think carefully about every decision you make. The game offers a sensitive approach to the grief of losing a loved one, well-developed characters, and a richly populated town, making it an exceptional title in the simulation genre. It also strikes a balance between gameplay mechanics and storytelling, giving you plenty of time to reflect on the complexity of human relationships marked by loss. So whether you’re looking for a heartwarming journey or a compelling story, *Closer the Distance* delivers an unforgettable experience that will stay with you long after you’ve finished the game, which is why it’s a must-have for your library.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Closer The Distance is hard to play in the best way imaginable. It is emotional, raw, and familiar. This is a story we can all relate to and honestly, one that we can all benefit and learn from. The kind of story that breaks us, but in the process, hopefully, makes us better and stronger person in the process.”
read full review ↗ - 92
“Closer The Distance is a fantastic game told in a beautiful way. The gameplay adds to the story in a way that helps you understand how a tragedy can affect a whole town. Every character feels deliberate, as if they exist with a purpose in the story, feeling fleshed out with a history rather than existing just to be a character in the town. The sound and graphics add to the story, both being beautiful and making the world more unique and real.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“This grief management simulator is not for the faint of heart; be prepared for every agonizing minute of every day that follows death.”
read full review ↗ - 94
“Closer The Distance is a beautifully tragic narrative adventure that explores themes of loss, grief, and moving on. Controlling Angie, a young girl who has passed away, players influence the lives of her loved ones and help them navigate their grief. The game excels in its storytelling, visuals, and audio, providing an immersive and emotionally charged experience. While some characters may be unlikeable and the impact of choices could be more significant, the overall execution of the game's themes is masterful, making it a must-play for fans of narrative-driven games. The combination of a poignant story, engaging gameplay, and stunning presentation ensures that Closer The Distance leaves a lasting impression.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Closer the Distance is a touching story that will move you to tears. Closer the Distance deals with a heavy topic, which can also show us as players how to deal with grief. With a playing time of just under 15 hours, we get a beautiful slice-of-life adventure in the truest sense of the word, which even has a high replay value. We can recommend Closer the Distance, even if the subject matter is not necessarily for everyone.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Closer The Distance is a game that will make you feel. It reminds you of some of life’s saddest moments and grief, as well as about healing and the depth that a community can have. It may be rough going down like bitter medicine, but you’ll feel better in the end.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Closer The Distance surely is made with much care, with excellent acting and writing, and offers a heartfelt and open-ended premise. You might end up connecting yourself with the game while you heal broken connections, get insight into their history, and give them the strength to persevere through difficult times. If you like emotionally charged, story-driven experiences, you will surely love Closer The Distance.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“A gripping story, well-written dialog and incredibly beautiful background music ensure that Closer the Distance takes you on an emotional journey that will move you. The approximately 11 hours of game time fly by and invite you to take a second trip to Yesterby. The needs management feature is unfortunately quite superfluous, but that doesn't detract much from the game's great overall package. Just the thing for the next cozy autumn evening on the couch at home.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“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.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Closer The Distance is a unique life simulation game that challenges players with time management mechanics and an emotionally charged narrative. Set in the quaint village of Yesterby, you guide a family through the aftermath of a tragic loss, balancing their emotional and physical needs. With stunning visuals, exceptional voice acting, and a melancholic tone, this game offers a deeply immersive experience. While the time constraints and challenging objectives may be stressful for some, the game's replay value and narrative depth make it a must-play for fans of the genre.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Closer the Distance is a good narrative game that simulates themes of our daily lives through a heavy emotional component, as well as a somewhat confusing character management system that can result in the loss of important moments in the story.”
read full review ↗
Gaming Professors
Pixel Byte
GamesCreed
GameLuster
Game8
Try Hard Guides
NoobFeed
GamesFinest
VG247
Noisy Pixel
PSX Brasil…and 5 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Patch #1 releasedMar 11, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- Hotfix #1 now liveAug 7, 2024
- Development Update - Release Date & gamescomAug 22, 2023