Lost in Play

Lost in Play is a point-and-click adventure game that immerses players in the boundless realm of childhood imagination. Developed by the Israeli studio Happy Juice Games and published by Joystick Ventures, the game was first released on August 10, 2022, for macOS, Nintendo Switch, and Windows. It has since become available on Android, iOS, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. The game follows the adventures of a brother and sister, Toto and Gal, as they navigate a fantastical world born from their make-believe, striving to find their way back home. The narrative of Lost in Play unfolds not through dialogue or text, but through its vibrant, cartoon-style visuals and gameplay. This design choice makes the game universally accessible, as characters communicate through a charming gibberish, gestures, and pictorial symbols. The story is a feel-good adventure that has been compared to nostalgic animated television shows like *Gravity Falls*, *Hilda*, and *Over the Garden Wall*. As Toto and Gal journey through their imagined landscapes, they encounter an array of magical and magnificent creatures, from quirky goblins to a royal toad. Their quest involves exploring dreamscapes, starting a rebellion in a goblin village, and even helping a team of frogs free a sword from a stone. Gameplay in Lost in Play is a modern take on the classic point-and-click adventure. Players guide the siblings through a series of distinct episodes, each presenting a new environment with its own set of puzzles to solve. The game features over 30 unique puzzles and mini-games that are thoughtfully integrated into the narrative. These challenges range from environmental puzzles and fetch quests to more distinct mini-games like playing cards with goblins or constructing a flying machine. The puzzles are designed to be logical and intuitive, avoiding outlandish solutions that can sometimes plague the genre. For players who do get stuck, a generous hint system is available to provide a nudge in the right direction without giving away the solution entirely. The development of Lost in Play was a three-and-a-half-year endeavor by Happy Juice Games, a studio founded by Yuval Markovich, Oren Rubin, and Alon Simon. For the Tel Aviv-based studio, this was their debut title. The founders, who have backgrounds in animation and mobile game development, aimed to create a game that celebrated children's imagination with a strong focus on art and animation. Their previous work on "The Office Quest" informed their approach to creating an accessible and engaging adventure game. The game's art style is a deliberate homage to the cartoons the developers grew up with, and the characters of Toto and Gal were even based on the children of one of the designers. Initially self-funded, the project later received the financial backing of the newly formed publisher Joystick Ventures, which allowed the studio to expand and complete the game. Upon its release, Lost in Play was met with overwhelmingly positive reviews. Critics and players alike lauded its gorgeous, hand-crafted animation and whimsical art style, often describing it as playing a cartoon. The game's wholesome story, charming characters, and creative puzzles were also frequently highlighted as strong points. While some reviewers noted the game's relatively short length of around four to five hours, the general consensus was that the experience was a joyful and delightful one. The game's sound design, including its zany, cartoonish sound effects and well-delivered gibberish voice acting, also received praise for enhancing the immersive and playful atmosphere. The game's success has been recognized with several accolades, including being named the Best iPad Game of 2023 by Apple and receiving an Apple Design Award for Innovation in 2024. It was also nominated for awards at the 38th Golden Joystick Awards and the 26th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards.