A Normal Lost Phone In The Test: Social Criticism In Cell Phone Format

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A Normal Lost Phone In The Test: Social Criticism In Cell Phone Format
A Normal Lost Phone In The Test: Social Criticism In Cell Phone Format

Video: A Normal Lost Phone In The Test: Social Criticism In Cell Phone Format

Video: A Normal Lost Phone In The Test: Social Criticism In Cell Phone Format
Video: A Normal Lost Phone: Who is Sam? | Full Game Walkthrough | No Commentary 2024, March
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The goal of the game is simple. You hold a found smartphone in your hands and try to use evidence - messages, emails and the like - to find its owner Sam or at least to make contact with someone to whom you could hand over the phone. When swiping and clicking through messages and apps, however, it quickly becomes clear that the life story behind it is anything but simple. A Normal Lost Phone shares the mystery element and the non-linear narrative structure with Mr. Robot, which was published in autumn 2016 and whose action also revolves around a smartphone that has been found. On top of that, the way of searching for clues also reminds Her Story, which was published in 2015. In terms of content, however, the game is much closer to the indie hit gone home from 2013.

If you read through the numerous messages of the characters around Sam, a realistic picture of a small town teenager unfolds, his relationships with family and friends, his insecurities, desires and future dreams. The game shows in a sensitive way how family support or expectations, but also the support in the circle of friends can influence the self-confidence and the decisions of each individual. Normal Lost Phone is by no means light fare. The game looks behind crumbling family idylls, touches on topics such as homophobia and transphobia, peer pressure or suicide and the fear of not being able to be yourself due to social pressure.

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Can you do that at all?

And of course, on a second level, the game raises the question of "can you do that at all?". To begin with, it is strange to start looking for traces on someone else's phone. But it's amazing how quickly you get lost in the story and penetrate ever deeper into the protagonist's privacy. On the one hand, this says something about good storytelling, but also that the little voyeur in me wants to satisfy his curiosity. Sure, this is a game. I would certainly be more discreet with a real smartphone, but the question remains: where are the limits of our privacy, physically and digitally?

A Normal Lost Phone does not create a black picture of our society. Rather, the game shows solutions and gives advice that flows wonderfully into the narrative structure of the game, without the developers swinging with the moral club. Incidentally, the game owes its positive attitude not least to its soundtrack, an airy mixture of indie and singer-songwriter music that can be found in Sam's music folder and can be freely selected during the game, just like on a real smartphone.

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Download A Normal Lost Phone Developer: Accidental Queens Price: € 2.99

My conclusion on A Normal Lost Phone

Although A Normal Lost Phone ends after a maximum of two hours (assuming you read through all the texts), the game is long enough to get the game to the point. If you also play A Normal Lost Phone on your smartphone, you will quickly forget, despite the obviously limited functionality of the design, that it is your own. But the PC or Mac version also has advantages. The larger screen variant makes it easier for you to read the countless messages more concentrated in the long run. This does not detract from storytelling. On the contrary, it is easier to keep an overview. With A Normal Lost Phone you have to largely forego great puzzle fun. Despite the mystery factor, the task is ratherWeighing different messages and emails against each other and combining them into a large whole to come closer to the solution. But if you are not afraid to click through a mountain of news, emails and photo galleries, you will be absolutely rewarded as a fan of interesting stories.

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GIGA editorial team
GIGA editorial team

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