A Normal Lost Phone

 Switch
A Normal Lost Phone Image
Metascore
73

Mixed or average reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 15 Ratings

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  • Summary: A Normal Lost Phone is a game about exploring the intimacy of an unknown person whose phone was found by the player.

    The game takes the shape of a narrative investigation: you have to search the phones text messages, pictures and applications, in order to learn about its former owner.    A Normal Lost Phone is a game about exploring the intimacy of an unknown person whose phone was found by the player.

    The game takes the shape of a narrative investigation: you have to search the phones text messages, pictures and applications, in order to learn about its former owner. Through this phone, you uncover Sams life, friends, family and relationships, until the evening when they turn 18 and mysteriously disappear.    … Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 10
  3. Negative: 1 out of 10
  1. Nintendojo
    Mar 1, 2018
    91
    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.
  2. Digitally Downloaded
    Mar 13, 2018
    90
    There are not many games in this world that I can say actually made me grow as a person, but A Normal Lost Phone is definitely one of those titles.
  3. Cubed3
    Apr 27, 2018
    80
    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.
  4. NintendoWorldReport
    Mar 1, 2018
    70
    A Normal Lost Phone does a lot of things right: unlocking story bits is interesting, the phone premise pays off, and the atmosphere sells Sam’s character. Seeing such delicate subject matter in a game is nice, but the end game felt a bit preachy without offering anything too helpful. I would definitely play another phone-snooping game with more surprises in the story as I wasn’t blown away by any revelations here.
  5. Nintendo Insider
    Apr 8, 2018
    70
    I can’t understate how important it is that this game exists and the awareness that it will raise.
  6. GameCritics
    Mar 5, 2018
    70
    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.
  7. Nintendo Life
    Feb 28, 2018
    40
    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.

See all 10 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. Calibur-X
    Oct 5, 2018
    10
    Wonderful and amazing game, it makes so much good in this society teaching you about tolerance, the devs have all my respect
  2. funblast
    Apr 25, 2021
    9
    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 aI 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.    … Expand
  4. OhDonPiano
    Apr 18, 2018
    9
    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 isIt'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.    … Expand
  5. emu0
    Jan 24, 2020
    8
    Simple and short game, but with a very interesting and creative narrative, emotional story and educational background. I've recommended thisSimple 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.… Expand

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