The Berlin Apartment Preview

Living in a very rebuild-happy society, I’ve seldom stopped to think how many inhabitants, events, and decades a building has seen. Some houses may have even been around during pivotal moments in history, and you’d never know! Having awoken this strange thought, I was excited to jump into The Berlin Apartment, where the age of one domicile is lived out.

The game takes place in a German apartment that handyman Malik and his daughter, Dilara, are tasked with refurbishing. As they move through the house and do their work, they uncover bits and pieces of its previous inhabitants. With each new discovery, the player gets to live through the distinct moments of time. For example, a few bits of broken pottery may remind Malik of the previous inhabitant from 1968, Kolja, whose perspective we would then take control of.

Each era played in is slightly different, featuring slightly alternate game mechanics and goals. For example, playing as Kolja would revolve around performing his daily tasks and possibly help him break out of his strict routines, whereas an earlier era has the player controlling an elderly gentleman packing for an upcoming trip and having to suss out where his lucky shoes are.

I was very impressed by how the game managed to make the same space feel new and fresh in each era, even though the blueprint is mostly the same throughout the years. Each rendition of the apartment is painstakingly detailed, showing off the quirks, lifestyles, and contemporary worries of those living there.

Based on the little I was able to play, I wishlisted the game. Without spoiling, there are a lot of interesting tales left for The Berlin Apartment to tell, and the setting itself is not an example of humanity at its finest, that's for sure. Regardless, the game seems to find beauty in these trying times, which I appreciate.

If you’re looking for a contemplative, moving experience to play through, The Berlin Apartment is definitely one to look out for. I get the feeling it won't be the longest game to play through, but I think it will leave an impression.