Unpacking’s Dark Star Mode Revealed After Two Years

Two years after the release of the game Unpacking, fans are now discovering a previously hidden secret mode known as Dark Star. The mode has gained newfound attention after a TikTok video brought it back into the spotlight.

In Unpacking’s standard mode, players complete levels by unpacking items from boxes and placing them in appropriate locations. If an item is placed incorrectly, the game will highlight it with a red line, preventing players from completing the level. However, after completing the game in the regular mode, players can access Dark Star mode, where the objective is to place every item incorrectly, causing it to be highlighted in red. Once all items are misplaced, players are awarded a darkened star and can progress to the next level.

Developer Witch Beam had teased Dark Star as a secret mode prior to its official reveal, sharing a video of it as part of an April Fools’ Day post in 2022. According to Tim Dawson, a co-founder of Witch Beam, many people initially thought it was a hoax until they tried it for themselves.

Following its official reveal, content creators have been streaming their Dark Star runs, bringing more attention to the previously unknown mode. Fans have been expressing surprise at the discovery, with many stating that they were unaware of its existence despite completing the game multiple times.

Dawson mentioned that Dark Star mode provides players with new and challenging ways to engage with the game’s puzzles. Despite starting as a joke, the developers have come to appreciate it as an extension of the game, offering players an alternative way to experience Unpacking.

According to Dawson, the mode adds an element of surprise and personality to the game, contributing to the overall experience for players. He emphasized the importance of secrets in giving games a unique character, noting that they contribute to the sense that virtual worlds are more expansive than they seem.