Lost in Play is a 2D point-and-click puzzle game developed by Happy Juice Games and published by Joystick Ventures. You play as siblings Gal and Toto, who somehow get lost in their imagination and must work together to return home. Throughout your adventure, you’ll come across mysterious characters, unique puzzles, and mini-games to keep you entertained. Although the title lasts only 2-to-4 hours, players can expect a charming and entertaining experience well worth the price of admission.
Lost in Play features traditional point-and-click gameplay. Players can expect to collect items, chat with NPCs, and solve puzzles. With Lost in Play being a family-friendly game, the majority of the gameplay is beyond simple. There’s no need to look up a guide or pixel hunt as traversing is organic and items are easily discoverable. If for some reason players get stuck, there is a hint system to fall back on – guiding you back to your journey.
The same can be said for the puzzles, which are immensely fun. I grew up playing Putt-Putt and Pajama Sam games and found the same joy and nostalgia when playing Lost in Play.There’s a healthy variety of puzzles ranging from fixing an alarm clock to cornering a piece in checkers. This may be simplistic for some, but I found the puzzles to be a breath of fresh air. I never felt frustrated or lost when completing puzzles, which was refreshing as other titles in the genre can leave players stumped for hours on end.
From the beginning, I was attached to the story. The plot isn’t deep or subliminal; rather, it feels like the story of a Saturday morning cartoon. The idea of having siblings allowing their imaginations to run wild and finding joy in each other’s company is simply wholesome and fun. Having the characters communicate with this Simlish gibberish language only added to the overall charm. I genuinely laughed and smiled with every cut scene, and I was only disappointed when it all came to an end.
I loved the visual design in Lost in Play. It clearly takes its cartoon inspiration from shows like Steven Universe and Gravity Falls. It complements the childhood-like plot and feels as if you’re playing a cartoon in real time. The same can be said with the audio design as both the soundtrack and sound effects are eccentric and zany. The developers leaned heavily into the cartoon theme and nailed it in every department.
Lost in Play is a surprise indie gem that provides a wholesome and awesome experience throughout. It’s fun, nostalgic, and filled to the brim with charm. Although the gameplay and puzzles are intentionally simplistic, it doesn’t negatively impact the title whatsoever. Everything from the story to the puzzles is organic and truly makes Lost in Play a must-play for fans of the genre and those who loved the Humongous Entertainment library.
Lost in Play is available now on Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam and GOG for $19.99.
Watch the Review in 3 Minutes for Lost in Play.
