I love animated games, hand-drawn games, and games in a particular cartoony style. So when Lost In Play dropped in our inbox, I was hooked. The art style, setting, and humor are all present and delivered so that even my daughter of almost three got some laughs (primarily since it features rubber ducks). Were you intrigued yet? Let’s dive in!
Lost In Play
Like ‘Happy Juice’ states;
Go on a feel-good adventure with a brother and sister as they explore dreamscapes and befriend magical creatures. Lost in their imagination, Toto and Gal must stick together and solve puzzles to journey back home. This whimsical puzzle adventure game will make you feel like you’re playing a cartoon!
And that’s the perfect summary. Lost in Play is a journey through childhood imagination with thoughtfully crafted puzzles and colorful characters. Play as a brother and sister duo on an adventure to find their way back home. Between reality and fantasy, the siblings explore the enchanted forest of a horned beast, start a rebellion in a goblin village, and help a team of frogs frees a sword from a stone. It’s Sunday cartoons all over again!
Freddi Fish x Adult Swim?
It all looks friendly and lovely, but there are some pretty dark undertones in the game, so be wary when you play this game with kids in the room. Let’s describe it as Freddi Fish for adults (with a touch of LSD on the side). Freddi Fish on Adult Swim? Something like that, I guess. The story is excellent and takes you through a whole scala of worlds and settings (but leaves room for interpretation). Unfortunately, some parts are scripted cut-scenes, which was a bummer on some features since they looked fabulous (Give us Lost In Play 2 already).
However, a significant aspect of Lost In Play (and a bummer on Freddi Fish, boo) is that the whole game is created without dialogue. Everything is communicated visually in a universal way, with some gibberish sounds to make up the dialogue between characters. No need for versatile translators – look at them go. But, hey, you can play cards with goblins, build a dragon, and teach a sheep how to fly. Oh, a catch yourself a chicken, sort of.
Artstyle
As I said, I loved the art style – it’s pleasing to the eyes and looks straight out of a very well-made television series. The developers themselves admitted that they based it on classic series like Gravity Falls, Hilda, and Over the Garden Wall. The characters all respond well; I noticed no lag or any input issues, and I enjoyed playing and watching through the story (even though it has no replay value).
Con(clusion)
I have just one con – you can finish the game in under two hours – which is way too short, and I want more. This leads me to the conclusion for this review. Lost In Play is basically what every puzzle and adventure gamer needs on their Nintendo Switch. It’s a perfect blend of whimsical humor and great gameplay, and it fits like a glove on the Nintendo Switch. The puzzles and the family-friendly storyline (ages six and above) are great. I want to shout the story from the rooftops, but that would spoil your fun; play this game already!
