Lost in Play Review (Kain_Highwind)
Lost in Play is a title I've had my eye on. Getting more into point-and-click titles, I found the art style charming. The characters looked to expressive. How the story just seemed like two kids getting lost with adventure. A tale of whimsy and imagination. And while that is there, this title sadly falls flat.
The music I think it was quite nice, but the star of the show is the visuals. The two main characters are expressive and standout. You can immediately tell each of their personalities simply by looking at them. As you make your way further through the game, each area feels unique in it's own way. Why the visuals are such an important aspect to the title is because of one thing: imagination. You really feel like you're exploring with the two and apart of their 'world'. How it pulls you in and makes you forget that all of this is just the two just having fun together outside. The visuals really hold the experience.
The story is not really anything to write home about, but that's okay. Two kids completely being taken in by their imaginative play and needing to get back home. It's short, sweet, and simple. And sometimes, that's okay as you explore the world being crafted.
The gameplay is the thing which pulls the game down. It's a point-and-click, but I find myself wanting more charm from what those games can offer. What is here is nice, but the game makes me want more. The puzzles are rather simple and don't allow the player to really look at that they have. There is no examining the items you get for thoughts from the characters. You can talk with characters, but there is no dialogue. It's scripted, usually telling you what the character needs to move on.
Lastly, there are 15 chapters, but it really makes the whole experience feel more shallow. The reason are the levels are all fairly small. Each section is made for simple puzzle solving. The visuals and whimsy beckon you to explore the world these kids are playing in. And yet the game doesn't want you to explore. The game puts you in small spaces where it's hard to get yourself stuck. The puzzles are simple and leave you wanting, even near the end of the game. Everything just feels more flat when the game invites you in for so much more.
Lost in Play is not bad. I wouldn't recommend it for a starter point-and-click, but would say it would be good for someone who knows the genre and doesn't mind something light. But the price just doesn't justify it. For $20, it's a game that needs makes me yearn for something more. I wanted more interactions with items, or at least commentary to hear the main character's thoughts some more. Hear them talk about the world, talk to the characters. The game just leaves me wanting. If you are interested, I would say pick it up once it's on sale. However, there are other titles for the same price which don't leave me with the feeling of dissatisfaction. Not bad, but something that is close to being something special.