They say that a walk outside is all you need to put your worried mind at ease. But what if that much-needed stroll grows into an adventure from the comfort of your hometown in the Philippines, with nothing but lost items and sentiments from townsfolk guiding your way?
This is the bittersweet fate that the universe bestows upon you in the upcoming video game Lost & Found. If you ever find yourself longing for the simple yet fun-filled nostalgia of summer in the early 2000s, then this feel-good multimedia narrative will help you relive it all, right from the four corners of your screen.
Photo: Indie Games Hub/YouTube
Lost & Found goes beyond the stress-free nature of your usual cozy video game. It captures the essence of a Filipino’s everyday life in the province—tranquil, warm, and slow-paced with ample space to breathe, just like the neighborhoods that greet you whenever you visit for the summer. The game’s trailer is also teeming with bits and pieces of surroundings that hit close to home.
No matter where you made your fondest memories growing up, you’ll always find a home in the streets of Lost & Found. Even its Filipino creator Kurt Reodica, also known as ShaggyBearGames, believes so.
If you’re as stoked as we are to play Lost & Found, then look no further. Here’s what you should know about the upcoming video game and the stories that brought it to fruition:
A Normal Walk Around Your Local Neighborhood—or Is It?
If there’s anything Lost & Found wants you to know, it’s that you don’t always have to travel miles away from home for unforgettable adventures. Some of them are already within walking distance—just like the life of our reliable protagonist.
Lost & Found follows Rico, a laid-off artist who returns to his hometown in Luisiana, Laguna, in hopes of a fresh start. But upon realizing that the run-down rural area is nothing like he remembers, he strives to regain his familiarity with it by working at the town’s Lost and Found office.
A journey of reflection and new connections (with a sprinkle of mystery) awaits Rico as he brings lost belongings from his headquarters back to their rightful owners. It’s nothing too complicated at first. But not every citizen of Luisiana will tell the truth, so it’s up to you to help Rico find clues and pinpoint lies among his neighbors.
Every valuable item in Lost & Found carries a meaningful piece of a character’s life. Delivering them to the wrong people will lead to major consequences that’ll change the fates of Rico and the town he used to call home.
We All Have Stories Worth Sharing
View this post on Instagram
Kurt used mixed animation to bring Lost & Found to life. Quirky residents roam around the game’s quaint Laguna neighborhood in various shapes, sizes, colors, and art styles, emphasizing how Filipinos foster communities that welcome people from all walks of life.
Rico’s daily routine introduces players to more of the town’s quirky characters. They all pay homage to Kurt’s vibrant childhood in the Philippines, which he mostly spent watching cartoons like Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends, Dexter’s Laboratory, and The Amazing World of Gumball, to name a few.
Sure enough, Kurt approached Lost & Found with the same amusement and wonder that made our favorite childhood shows unforgettable. Beyond visuals that capture the carefree energy of summer in the province, the game prides itself on character-driven narratives that highlight the sentiments we’ve developed towards memorabilia we refuse to let go of.
More Updates to Anticipate
View this post on Instagram
Lost & Found is a labor of love that Kurt brought to fruition after working at Pupeteer Animation Studios in Pasig City. There, he learned the ropes of 3D art for video games, films, and TV commercials.
He then went on to pursue social media and gaming content independently, garnering over 100,000 followers across his active platforms. He’ll always carry a piece of himself in Lost & Found, where even small keepsakes like old photos, faded receipts, and tattered wallets hold immense value for their owners.
If you want to stay updated on the video game’s latest developments, you can join Kurt’s newsletter. You’ll also receive a free art book of the project ahead of its launch on Steam.
ALSO READ: Meet the First Filipino Fighter in the Popular “Street Fighter” Franchise
Are you looking forward to the release of Lost & Found? What do you think of the new video game so far? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
Do you have a story for the WhenInManila.com Team? Email us at wheninmanila@gmail.com or send us a direct message at WhenInManila.com’s Facebook Page. Interact with the team and join the WhenInManila.com community at WIM Squad, and join our Viber group to stay updated with the latest around the Philippines and beyond!
