During the recent ID@Xbox Showcase, Skybound Games and Osmotic Studios (of Orwell series fame) announced Closer the Distance. Described as a slice-of-life sim, it’s about Angela, who has passed from a car accident. As a spirit, she watches over the people of Yesterby, influencing their behavior as they grieve. A release date wasn’t announced, but it’s coming soon to consoles and PC.
As you explore Angela’s relationships with different town members, you can learn about their moods, bring up a history of actions, and influence them to make certain decisions. For example, Conny may decide to speak to Galya to find out what’s going on with her, look for Zeke after he responds to the news, or do something to comfort everyone.
Your choices ultimately affect the story’s outcome, but empathy, a sense of community, grief and closure are the core themes. Stay tuned for more details on its release in the coming months.