Lidlocks' new exploration game, Finding Polka, offers a relaxing and humorous experience for dog owners and fans of hidden object games. The title casts players as Frendy, a dog owner who is searching for her lost childhood French bulldog, Polka. Frendy is joined by her Dachshund, Jazz, as they track Polka through over two dozen increasingly whimsical levels.
Each stage presents a hand-drawn environment reminiscent of a Where's Waldo? book, packed with amusing characters and unexpected moments. Players might encounter a person disguised as a giant pig, an alien in a costume, or a gym enthusiast posing like a martial arts hero. The game encourages players to explore and discover these details at their own pace, even though the narrative suggests a sense of urgency in finding Polka. The joy, much like in classic hidden object books, comes from the discovery of the myriad of oddities scattered throughout each scene.
Beyond the primary objective, Finding Polka includes optional side activities. Players can undertake simple fetch quests for characters, such as retrieving a staff for Sun Wukong. The game also features minigames like soccer shootouts and volleyball matches. Hidden ninjas and pairs of a girl and her giant panda offer additional collectibles, including polaroid photos of what is presumed to be the real-life inspiration for Polka. These distractions add to the game's appeal, offering varied engagement beyond the core search.
Beneath its lighthearted facade, Finding Polka incorporates emotional depth. The narrative centers on Frendy's search for her childhood pet, with the game subtly alluding to Frendy's own passage into adulthood. While not as emotionally heavy as some other titles, the game culminates in a poignant ending that resonates with the theme of chasing after a lost companion.
Finding Polka is described as an exploration of a carefully crafted sketchbook, filled with imagination, creativity, humor, and, notably, many dogs. The game is available now for Windows PC.