Shanghai-based developer Posh Cat Studio has released Little Problems, a detective game that focuses on solving life's small mysteries without any violence or victims. The game follows protagonist Mary as she uses her sleuthing abilities to navigate daily life as a new university student.
Created by Indonesian designer Melisa, the idea stems from her love of detective stories and a desire to remove violence from the genre. Melisa explained that after consuming murder and horror stories, she felt depressed and wanted to create a game about good people making mistakes. The result is a wholesome experience where players solve puzzles like finding a lost earring or identifying who broke a favourite mug.
Each scene functions as a hidden object puzzle game, with players searching for clues such as photos, notes, or schedules to deduce what happened. The art style draws inspiration from soft manga and anime like Doraemon and Chibi Maruko-chan, adding to the cosy feel. The game also features subtle storytelling about friendships and family, similar to titles like Unpacking and A Little to the Left.
Melisa started Little Problems as a quick prototype for a Twitch game jam but spent two years developing it, eventually bringing two other staff onboard and founding Posh Cat Studio. She hopes to see more cosy detective games in the future, saying, 'Here's to more cosy games in 2025 and beyond!'
