It’s the kind of game that lingers with you, and it’s one I imagine will remain with me for some time. It’s experimental in a way I’ve rarely seen before, truly offering some clever uses for the Switch platform. Some will decry the game for its encouraged voyeurism, but developer Accidental Queens truly seems to be making an attempt at doing something different while addressing a topic rarely seen in video games, or on Nintendo systems at all, for that matter. Personally, I think that’s admirable, and I certainly hope A Normal Lost Phone encourages similar titles to appear on the eShop in the future. It won’t be for everyone, but it’s one of the most unique games currently available on Switch.
Emotional, alluring, and compelling from start to finish, A Normal Lost Phone is a phenomenal visual novel that takes full advantage of Nintendo Switch in a creative way, while telling a story with a genuinely powerful message. The investigative elements are gripping and require a sincere attention to detail, and the soundtrack is appropriately atmospheric for mobile phone sleuthing.
I got into this game in a way I wasn't expecting. It was hard to describe to other people what it was like to play - you're going through a stranger's phone, finding ways to unlock apps and their secret features to reveal a character unseen who has mysteriously left their phone behind.
I found it exhilarating in a morally pure way of sneaking through someone's private messages, and I found it touching as I began to understand and recognize the situation.
I really love this game.
On paper, this seems like the definitive version because you get all interaction options but while the developers have done their best for the platform, I still think the best way to play this game is on iOS or Android on a phone. If you want an interesting experience on the Switch and don’t want to play on iOS or Android, this game is absolutely worth your time with its low asking price.
As a straight cis man, I acknowledge that I’m not the authoritative voice on any of this. However, while I’m mixed on how well A Normal Lost Phone conveys its intended message, the game’s design is too interesting to dismiss, and it’s so short and cheap that anyone who’s curious can (and should) come to their own conclusions.
A Normal Lost Phone is a tough game to recommend. The concept is intriguing and there’s a genuinely interesting narrative at the center of the experience, but it’s all so fraught by poor execution and mediocre presentation that we can hardly suggest you pick this one up. You could do a whole lot worse for three bucks, but you’re also getting exactly what you pay for and nothing more. If you have some credit leftover in your account from another eShop purchase and feel like distracting yourself with a mildly entertaining adventure game, this one may be worth a look, but you’d best take a pass.
It's a good thing to know that this game is a game you play one shot (from 2 to 4 hours depending on your spy skills). Not too hard, it is quite like an interactive novel. But once you've finished it, you won't learn anything else by playing again.
It is quite immersive, you hold your gamepad like if it was a phone, and go finding some clues by reading texts or things like that.
I really appreciated that game. Not only because of the gameplay, but also because of the story.
That's a really cheap and nice experience.
Simple and short game, but with a very interesting and creative narrative, emotional story and educational background. I've recommended this game to many friends and it completely worth to play.