Lost and Found Co. Review

The hidden object genre has been around for many decades and has existed even outside of digital titles, such as with the Where's Wally (known as Where’s Waldo in America) books from the 1980s. While it has changed throughout the years and become more complex, such as with the addition of visual novel–like features in detective titles, Bit Egg Inc. and Gamirror Games’ Lost and Found Co. weaved in much more.

The nearly-forgotten deity of war, Mei, stumbles onto a new idea of how to become renowned in the new era after an influencer accidentally drops a charm into the water. A nearby duck mistakes it for food and attempts to swallow it, promptly choking to near death, forcing the goddess to intervene.

The streamer is so grateful that it lights up an idea in Mei's mind: if she and the duck help people find their lost possessions, she will become beloved once again. And so the unsuspecting duck becomes her new intern... by force.  

With just the beginning introduction sequence, I was already smitten by the anime-like tone of the visual novel aspect. The colourful animation stands out in a world full of AI slop and brings Ducky and Mei to life in a way I didn't anticipate.

As someone who plays hidden object games semi-frequently, especially when I was younger, and finished many of the detective titles, I didn't expect much more than helping NPCs out. I didn't mind the prospect, but I was pleasantly surprised at the sheer in-depth gameplay in Lost and Found Co.!

The main story is delightful and fun, allowing players to watch as Ducky and Mei fight against the OK Corp takeover and grow their business together. There are silly and heartwarming moments in between the hidden-object segments, which stopped me from getting fatigue or brainfog from searching too much.

As the narrative unfolds, more gameplay features are unveiled. This includes Requests, which need to be completed to become more renowned and unlock the next bit of the main story; these special quests are set in a variety of vibrant and detail-oriented areas. What I appreciated the most about them was the fun themes that the team added — it feels like they unleashed their creativity, playing with different ideas.

I had a lot of fun completing the levels because of the constant change of theme. The quests would go from helping a kid stock up on yummy candies to a cute (and spoopy) cursed antique shop level, which featured haunted artefacts.

In each of the Requests, there are some side-quests that can be done, but they're all optional; this includes things like finding all the bugs or the toy mice in the level. I loved these because they added more gameplay without pressure.

Requests also come in different levels of challenge, and there are enough at any given time that players aren't forced to opt for the difficult ones. Those who enjoy no-pressure videogames can also look forward to using hints without any repercussions!

As the game progresses, players also unlock the ability to remodel and decorate Mei's shrine and Ducky's room. I didn't think this feature would have much to it, as the main focus is the hidden object elements, but I was pleasantly wrong.

As a lover of all things decorating, I was delightedly surprised at the quality-of-life features. As Ducky and Mei help NPCs, the game unlocks items that can be used to spruce up the room, many of them arriving via mysterious letters from "a big fan" of theirs.

Every item can be resized, rotated, and layered to make surprisingly complex setups, and I adored that many of them were mementoes from the various jobs completed throughout the narrative. It felt fulfilling to see the once-empty room fill up with Mei and Ducky's (and my) hard work! This also worked as a relaxing break from the hidden object gameplay.

No matter what I was doing, I couldn't help but be charmed by the passion and love that oozes out of Lost and Found Co.; the team's commitment to detail is evident across every level. Silly problems, immaculately wholesome art, and a polished gameplay experience made me fall in love.

I had been looking forward to the game for a long time, but it crushed every expectation I had. Bit Egg Inc. and Gamirror Games expertly built on the hidden object genre, and I will always want more Mei and Ducky adventures.

If you're even mildly interested in the game, I highly suggest picking it up. It has been one of the silliest and most fun experiences I've had gaming!

Lost and Found Co. will be available on the 6th of March on Steam.