Shanghai-based Posh Cat Studio is set to release Little Problems, a wholesome detective game launching September 9 on PC. Unlike traditional crime stories, this title removes violence and instead focuses on solving the everyday mysteries of student life.
The game follows Mary, a new university student, who must rely on her sleuthing skills to handle challenges like finding a missing earring, locating friends in a crowd, or tracking down her mischievous cat. Created by Indonesian designer Melisa, the project grew out of her love for detective fiction but also her desire to avoid the darker side of the genre. “I wanted to make a story about good people who grow up and make mistakes,” Melisa explained.
Gameplay resembles a hidden-object puzzle, with players searching environments for notes, schedules, and photos to piece together small mysteries — such as who broke a favorite mug, using clues tied to characters’ habits.
With an art style inspired by soft manga and anime classics like Doraemon and Chibi Maruko-chan, Little Problems evokes the warm, everyday storytelling of games like Unpacking and A Little to the Left. Initially created for a Twitch game jam, Melisa spent two years expanding the concept, turning it into a full studio project with additional staff.Little Problems promises a gentle, relatable detective experience — offering a refreshing alternative in a genre usually dominated by grim narratives.
