Moving Out 2 – Chaotic Furniture Physics Perfected

Team17's Moving Out 2 elevates the furniture-moving simulator with online cross-play, intricate level design, and hilarious physics chaos. Rated 8.1/10, it's the gold standard co-op party game.

Game Info

Developer
SMG Studio, DevM Games
Publisher
Team17
Release Date
August 15, 2023
Genre
Party, Puzzle, Simulation, Strategy
Platforms
Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X

Verdict

8 /10

Moving Out 2 is the definitive cooperative physics-puzzle experience, combining hilarious chaos with impeccable level design and groundbreaking cross-platform play.

Pros

  • Online cross-play is seamlessly implemented across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch
  • Physics-based puzzle design offers fresh alternative to reflex-dependent party games
  • Difficulty scaling through level design rather than artificial speed increases
  • Excellent accessibility options including Assist Mode that removes punishing mechanics
  • Local co-op remains superior to Overcooked for intimate friend groups
  • Charming artstyle and humorous character design drive engagement
  • Strong post-launch cosmetic support maintains community interest

Cons

  • Campaign length at 11 hours main story feels short for $29.99 pricing
  • Solo play becomes increasingly tedious after World 1; designed primarily for cooperation
  • Latter levels spike dramatically in difficulty; some groups may hit frustration walls
  • Limited narrative depth; minimal story integration despite worldbuilding
  • Nintendo Switch performance dips below 30fps during intense 4-player scenarios
  • Competitive modes absent; purely cooperative design excludes versus players

Performance Notes

Moving Out 2 achieves locked 60fps on modern PC hardware with minimal load. PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X offer 4K@60fps (Performance) and 1440p@120fps (Quality) modes; loading times measure under 2 seconds. Nintendo Switch delivers 1080p docked and 720p handheld at 30fps with occasional frame drops during intense 4-player moments.

Moving Out 2 refines the physics-based cooperative puzzle concept into its definitive form, introducing online play and cross-platform cooperation to a series previously limited to couch gaming. Developed by SMG Studio and DevM Games, this August 2023 release demonstrates remarkable understanding of cooperative game design, scaling difficulty through environmental mechanics rather than artificial challenge spikes. Players control Furniture Arrangement and Relocation Technicians (F.A.R.Ts) moving objects through increasingly absurd levels filled with teleporters, time limits, and one-way doors. This review examines how Moving Out 2 becomes the finest cooperative physics-puzzle experience available, suitable for casual players and experienced co-op veterans alike.

How to Play Moving Out 2

Moving Out 2 tasks players with physically moving furniture from one location to another against environmental obstacles and time pressure. The game uses simplified physics—objects maintain weight and momentum—requiring coordination and spatial reasoning. Players push, carry, and throw objects through levels increasingly populated with hazards that punish traditional movement patterns.

  1. Controls – Simple gamepad controls: move, grab, throw, and interact with environment. Dual Mover Mode allows single controller for two characters via remapped buttons; learning curve is minimal for traditional play.
  2. Progression – Five-star level completion system: 1-star for moving required furniture, 2-star for time completion, 3+ stars for bonus challenges (move objects without breaking, complete with minimum items thrown, etc.). Later islands unlock through cumulative stars.
  3. Combat and Mechanics – Core loop involves path-planning around obstacles, managing momentum to avoid bouncing furniture off platforms, and coordinating with teammates to carry oversized objects. Environmental hazards include conveyor belts, teleporters, lava pits, ice floors, and portal mazes that force creative approaches.
  4. Tips – Communicate with teammates; many levels require simultaneous button presses or synchronized movement. Break furniture tactically; some levels grade harshly for excess breakage. Solo play is possible but significantly harder; co-op is the intended experience.

Who Should Play Moving Out 2

Moving Out 2 serves casual co-op audiences, party gamers, and players seeking non-violent cooperative challenges. The game’s accessibility options, ranging difficulty, and split-pad control schemes make it ideal for mixed-skill groups. Online play opens the game to long-distance friend groups previously excluded by couch-only limitations.

  • Co-op Party Gamers – If you enjoyed Overcooked or Tools Up!, Moving Out 2’s physics-based approach offers fresh puzzle mechanics without kitchen-timer pressure. Excellent for weekend gatherings.
  • Remote Friends – Online cross-play finally allows long-distance cooperation; Team17’s cross-platform implementation is seamless across PC, console, and Switch versions.
  • Casual Players – Assist Mode removes time limits, breaks furniture freely, and eliminates fail-states; perfect for learning mechanics without punishment. No progression gating between Assist and Normal modes.
  • Skip If – You strongly prefer competitive gameplay; Moving Out 2 has zero versus modes. Solo experience feels tedious due to level design optimized for 2-4 players; single-player feasibility decreases after World 1.

Moving Out 2 Platform Performance

Moving Out 2 maintains consistent performance across six platforms, prioritizing smoothness over visual fidelity. The artstyle, while charming, contains minimal detail, allowing optimization headroom. Cross-play synchronization remains flawless despite platform disparity; latency is barely perceptible in actual play.

Platform Resolution FPS Notes
PC (Recommended) 1080p+ 60 Stable 60fps on modern rigs; high-end hardware hits 120fps easily
PlayStation 5 4K/1440p 60/120 Performance (4K@60) and Quality (1440p@120) modes; loading times under 2 seconds
Xbox Series X 4K/1440p 60/120 Performance (4K@60) and Quality (1440p@120) modes; identical PS5 performance
Nintendo Switch 1080p/720p 30 Docked 1080p, handheld 720p; occasional frame dips in dense levels with 4 players

Moving Out 2 System Requirements

Moving Out 2 remains lightweight, operating smoothly on modest PC hardware. The Unity engine and simple visual style allow minimum specs from 2010-era components. Recommended specs ensure consistent 1080p 60fps; high-end rigs achieve 1440p or 4K at 120fps with minimal effort.

Component Minimum Recommended
OS Windows 10 64-bit Windows 10/11 64-bit
CPU Intel Core i3-550 or AMD Phenom II X4 965 Intel Core i5-2300 or AMD FX-6350
GPU GeForce GTS 450 (1GB) or HD 5770 GeForce GTX 660 (2GB) or HD 7850
RAM 4 GB 8 GB
Storage 2 GB SSD recommended 4 GB SSD

Similar Games to Moving Out 2

Moving Out 2 occupies a unique niche within cooperative puzzle games, blending physics simulation with party-game accessibility. The physics-based approach distinguishes it from time-management games like Overcooked, creating distinct design philosophy. Several games approach similar cooperation-through-challenge but from different mechanical angles.

  • Overcooked 2 – Kitchen coordination simulator; emphasizes efficiency and rapid inputs; four-player chaos but time pressure replaces physics complexity; 15-20 hours including DLC.
  • Tools Up! – Room customization cooperation; similar physics-based throwing mechanic; renovation theme instead of furniture; shorter 8-hour campaign.
  • Pushing Buttons – Abstract physics puzzles with cooperative mechanics; minimalist presentation; focuses purely on puzzle-solving without narrative or progression layers.
  • Unravel Two – Yarn-based co-op platformer; physics-based movement with emotional narrative; single-player option available, unlike Moving Out 2’s co-op focus.

Moving Out 2 vs Competitors

Moving Out 2’s competitive advantage lies in physics-based mechanics and online cross-play innovation. Overcooked dominates party-game market share, but Moving Out 2 offers distinct gameplay appeal. This comparison emphasizes mechanical and feature differentiation rather than quality hierarchy; each game excels in different cooperative contexts.

Feature Moving Out 2 Overcooked 2 Tools Up!
Price $29.99 $34.99 $19.99
Playtime (Main) 11 hours 12 hours 8 hours
Online Co-op Yes (Cross-play) Yes (platform limited) Yes
Metacritic 78 82 75

Moving Out 2 Story and World

Moving Out 2 abandons traditional narrative in favor of worldbuilding through level design and visual themes. The sequel transports F.A.R.Ts beyond Packmore, introducing interdimensional portals leading to surreal environments: underwater bases, jungle temples, candy factories, and abstract geometric spaces. Each world maintains consistent aesthetic design while escalating environmental complexity through new mechanics—teleporters, one-way doors, time-limited passages, destructible barriers—that force tactical thinking rather than pure reflex speed. Environmental storytelling occurs through visual detail; a level flooded with lava might feature ash and obsidian architecture, immediately communicating hazard properties. Boss encounters exist as culminating levels featuring unique challenges like moving sentient furniture or navigating dimension-shifting rooms. This approach prioritizes cooperative problem-solving experience over exposition.

Moving Out 2 Multiplayer and Online

Moving Out 2 introduces online cooperative play to the series, fundamentally expanding accessibility for geographically dispersed friend groups. Cross-platform functionality ensures console, PC, and Switch players compete without partition. Latency handling remains impressive; the physics-based gameplay tolerates minor network inconsistencies better than reflex-dependent games.

  • Local Co-op (Couch) – Up to four players on single console with split-screen or shared camera; pause-capable; controller splitting via Dual Mover Mode allows shared pad operation.
  • Online Co-op – 2-4 players across any platform via Team17 cross-play infrastructure; matchmaking supports invite systems and public sessions; latency rarely noticeable.
  • Cross-Play Support – PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X, and Switch all interconnect; crossover play creates seamless experience regardless of hardware.
  • Ranking and Progression – No competitive leaderboards; progression tied to cumulative stars; shared progress across local and online play.

Moving Out 2 DLC and Expansions

Team17’s post-launch support for Moving Out 2 focuses on cosmetic content and seasonal additions rather than gameplay expansion. The F.A.R.Tastic Four Pack represents the primary DLC offering, providing character customization options without mechanical changes.

  • F.A.R.Tastic Four Pack – Four character skins (Chum, Bastion, Hootacris, Cera Tops); $9.99 standalone or bundled with certain pre-orders; purely cosmetic; no gameplay advantage.
  • Seasonal Updates – Regular cosmetic additions tied to real-world events (holidays, special themes); free cosmetics in some seasons; paid cosmetic packs optional.
  • Balance Patches – Ongoing level difficulty adjustments; accessibility improvements; performance optimizations; no paywall for gameplay updates.
  • Future Roadmap – Team17 has hinted at potential future expansions with new worlds/mechanics; no formal announcements as of December 2025.

Moving Out 2 Community and Support

Moving Out 2 maintains active communities across official and grassroots platforms, driven by cooperative gameplay and accessibility advocacy. Team17’s developer communication remains consistent; SMG Studio responds to player feedback regarding balance and accessibility on social channels.

  • Official Team17 Community – Forums at team17.com host developer posts regarding updates and known issues; moderate traffic but reliable support responses.
  • Reddit and Discord – /r/MovingOut reaches 50K+ subscribers; dedicated Discord servers exceed 30K active members discussing strategies, cosmetic showcases, and accessibility features.
  • Accessibility Focus – Community heavily emphasizes assist modes; threads dedicated to colorblind-friendly cosmetics and input rebinding; developers actively respond to accessibility requests.
  • Updates and Support – Regular patches address balance, add cosmetics, and improve performance; no player-hostile monetization; cosmetic-only paid content maintains goodwill.