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About What’s in the Box?
What’s in the Box? is a first-person simulator where you spend hours opening random containers, fixing broken junk, and flipping it for profit. Developed by PALINI, it launched in March 2026 on PC. The game drops you in a grimy industrial setting where every crate holds a mystery, sometimes a rusty wrench, sometimes a rare upgrade. The goal? Repair tools, boost your character’s skills, and slowly chip away at a life of financial freedom. It’s a slow-burn loop of buying, repairing, and selling, wrapped in a minimalist but oppressive atmosphere. Think of it as a spreadsheet simulator with a dash of existential dread.
Gameplay
You start with a small workshop and a few tools. Each session involves buying containers (priced based on risk) and prying them open with a crowbar. Inside, you’ll find broken items that need welding, grinding, or recalibration. Upgrades to your workbench and character skills reduce repair costs and increase item values. Selling repaired goods nets cash, which you reinvest into better containers or higher-tier tools. The cycle repeats, with randomness keeping things unpredictable. Controls are basic but functional, left-click to interact, right-click to inspect. The real grind comes from managing resources and prioritizing upgrades. Sessions rarely last more than 45 minutes, but the incremental progress demands frequent returns.
What Players Think
Community ratings are 8.2/10 on PlayPile and 4.3/5 on Steam. 62% of players finish the game, averaging 24 hours of playtime. Moods are split: 42% call it “relaxing,” 31% “satisfying,” but 27% label it “repetitive” or “boring.” Reviews highlight the slow burn, “It’s like watching grass grow, but with more spreadsheets,” one user wrote. Another praised the “zen rhythm of fixing things.” However, 18% of players quit before completion, citing a lack of variety. The 50 achievements (67% completion rate) focus on repair milestones and container-opening streaks. Critics note the game’s niche appeal but acknowledge its polished execution for fans of incremental systems.
PlayPile's Take
What’s in the Box? is a niche title for those who enjoy methodical, low-stakes progression. At $29.99, it’s reasonably priced for its core loop, though the repetitive nature may wear thin. If you’re patient and enjoy tracking numbers, this could be your cup of tea. Skip it if you crave action or narrative depth. The 50 achievements add a light goal structure, but don’t expect surprises. It’s a solid simulator with a specific vibe, just know going in that it’s less about excitement and more about grinding toward a vague sense of accomplishment.
Game Modes
Single player
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