Let’s kick off with Lost But Found by Rogue Duck Interactive. Since they both developed and published it, their vision shines through directly. I saw mixed user feedback praising its cute art style and quick sessions. For instance, one player said the hidden-object tasks feel fresh, while another found the callback feature buggy. As someone who loves tight mechanics, I noticed those bugs directly impact the flow.
When it comes to overall impressions, I dug how Rogue Duck built an item-tracking system. You sort, stack, and upgrade your desk, which creates a satisfying loop. A user even praised the stacking mechanic as “addictive.” However, glitches can erase items from the table. If Rogue Duck patches that flaw, collectors like me will be thrilled.
Moving on to the hidden-object element, it reminds me of Hidden Folks mixed with Papers, Please. Passengers stream in quickly, creating urgency. Moreover, the mix of honesty versus black-market temptation feels novel. Still, I wish Rogue Duck had provided clearer lore on why you must send daily cash home. That missing side story could hook players much deeper.
From a speedrunning view, the top-down controls stay simple. You drag items, punch numbers into the phone, then dial. Consequently, players clock task times to optimize desk layout. Yet the callback bugs break pacing. Fixing those issues would undoubtedly push record-breaking runs.
Speaking of mechanics, stacking items on a cramped table tests spatial planning. Furthermore, the notepad and phone add layers to decision-making. The choice to steal or stay honest influences both profits and upgrades. Therefore, it pushes the job simulator genre into new territory.
I tracked every upgrade. Rogue Duck said in an interview they designed each unlock to feel meaningful. The new security camera slows thieves, while the sale rack boosts black-market profit. I see parallels with Two Point Hospital’s upgrade tree.
On story and narrative, Rogue Duck built a simple hook: support your unseen family. But the daily cash demands balloon without context. Dialogue feels lightweight. A short developer blog teased future plot updates. I hope they expand character backstories.
You also meet a sneaky thief and a homeless tipster. Their short encounters add flavor. The thief sequence acts as a mini-timed challenge. I timed runs around it, but it needs clearer warning cues.
Visually, Lost But Found uses a bright, pixel-art palette. The top-down engine runs smoothly on PC. Colors pop against the grey terminal floor. Animations stay crisp even when dozens of items clutter your desk.
The art recalls Stardew Valley’s day view. Rogue Duck nailed readability. You spot a red purse or blue phone at a glance. On lower-end PCs, I saw frame dips when the table overflows. A future patch could optimize that.
The soundtrack loops a friendly, jazzy tune. It fits airport vibes. Some players called it repetitive. I’d like more track variety on busy days. Sound effects when handing items feel rewarding, though.
I agree. The ding of a correct item drop gives a nice feedback beat. It helps pace runs. Voice lines are minimal. You hear passenger requests as text only, which keeps files small but reduces immersion.
Characters drive your tasks. The officer—that’s you—stays silent. Passengers each have quick text blurbs. It works, but I want interviews with Rogue Duck on character art and diversity choices.
I cataloged every passenger request. They range from phones to teddy bears. No two days feel identical. That variety boosts replay for hunters like me.
The challenge level stays mild. Early days feel easy. Later, request volume spikes. Some users hit sudden difficulty leaps. An optional tutorial or slider could help new players.
For speedrunners, the main goal is to clear all queues before closing time. Without glitches, runs can hit under ten minutes. Bugs hurt consistency, though.
On replay value, you can chase full sticker collections, max out upgrades, or go fully honest versus fully corrupt. It reminds me of House Flipper meets Papers, Please for multiple endings.
I replayed seven days twice, chasing 100 percent scores on each upgrade tree. That kept me busy for hours.
I’d love a co-op mode. Imagine two officers teaming up. Rogue Duck said they’re exploring multiplayer. That could lift replay even more.
And timed challenges with leaderboards would nail the speedrun community.
Final thoughts: Lost But Found carves its niche in job sims. Rogue Duck Interactive blends hidden-object fun with management choices. It could rival Papers, Please with more narrative depth and fewer bugs. It stands out for its art, core mechanics, and moral choices.
If you crave thorough play, give it time for patches. The potential for deep collection runs shines through.
For casual explorers, it offers quick, cozy sessions. Keep an eye on updates about story expansions.
Speedrunners will love the tight controls once glitches clear. The theft minigame has leaderboard potential.
Looking for similar games to dive into? Try Papers, Please, a border inspector sim filled with moral choices and timed challenges. Fans of management sims will enjoy Two Point Hospital, a quirky hospital builder with deep upgrade systems, or House Flipper, where you renovate properties and manage every detail. For a lighter experience, Hidden Folks offers charming hand-drawn hidden-object puzzles, while Overcooked! 2 delivers chaotic co-op cooking fun that tests teamwork. Pick your favorite and start building your own unique world today!
