I grew up in a military family, which means I moved a lot. Then I joined the Navy and moved even more. I figured once I was a civilian, things would calm down. Nope, I have moved 5 times in the last 10 years. Let me tell you, nothing is fun about moving. The packing, unpacking, moving large furniture through a 2nd floor window hoping that nobody gets crushed. Well somehow Team 17 has figured out a way to make moving fun. Moving Out is the newest addition to their catalog, and just like the Overcooked series it is full of multiplayer mayhem.
You take on the role of a Furniture Arrangement & Relocation Technician, or FART for short. You and up to 3 of your friends are tasking with grabbing people’s possessions and tossing them in the moving truck. The quicker you get the job done, the better your score. Your clients all have insurance, so if you break something (or everything) there is nothing to worry about. Work your way through the story levels to become a Certified FART and get even tougher challenges.
There are over a dozen story missions that will need to be completed multiple times. The 1st run through is for your time, but it also unlocks 3 bonus objectives. The more gold level times you get, the more Memory missions you will unlock. The level objectives range from breaking windows, not breaking windows, loading things in a certain order, to moving a pet, or riding a crocodile. The more bonus objectives you complete, the more coins you earn, and the more Arcade games you unlock. These are special challenge levels that usually involve only 1 piece of furniture, but you must carry it through an obstacle course.
Gameplay is simple. The items that need to be moved flash. Run over to them, pick them up, and get them to the truck the fastest way you can. You are even able to toss items. This game is geared for 2 to 4 players, playing local co-op, but you can play solo. If you play with multiple players, some items will require 2 people to move and to throw. These same items will be moveable in solo play, but don’t expect to be able to throw a fridge or bed. The number of items and time allotted are also adjusted depending on the number of players.
The graphics are bright and colorful. There are tons of characters to pic from, so even if you have 4 people playing, you won’t have to duplicate avatars. Each level has a unique design feature that will have you trying new ways of moving the furniture. There is even a Boss fight to deal with. The story is a bit silly, but it is a great laugh. Even the dialogue between missions will have you laughing. The soundtrack and soundscape are lively and upbeat. There are even a wide variety of crash and banging samples.
Moving Out is a great addition to any collection. Available now on XB1, PS4, PC and Nintendo Switch with a price tag of about $25 you will get hours of entertainment from the title. If you have Game Pass on Xbox, the title has been added for you to play whenever you want. A great way to laugh and play with friends and family when they are over, or test your skills solo.
