There is something inexplicably addictive about games that ask players for just one thing: to pause, observe the screen, and start hunting for tiny details. The series 100 Hidden Cats and its numerous variations have created almost a separate genre in recent years, and the Croatian indie project Covert Koalas Phasco aims to join this company, which we had the opportunity to try out through a closed playtest.
It should be noted right away that this is a game that has not yet officially been released. At the time of writing this review, the release date is still unconfirmed, so the content we tried is subject to changes until the final version.
If you have ever played 100 Hidden Cats, the concept will be very familiar to you. Before the player is a large, hand-drawn illustration full of details, and the goal is to find all the hidden koalas that have cleverly blended into the surroundings. Sounds simple? Of course, it does. That is precisely where the charm of such games lies.
Unlike many "hidden object" titles that rely on generic or minimalist visuals, Covert Koalas Phasco tries to leave its own mark through a charming hand-drawn presentation. The maps are filled with little things, various visual gags, and details that often make you stop and examine every corner of the screen. We often found ourselves searching for the last koala for a good few minutes, only to realize in the end that it had been hiding literally right under our noses the whole time.
That feeling of "just one more koala" makes the game surprisingly addictive. The closed playtest may not offer a large amount of content, but it clearly shows what the developers want to achieve. The game does not attempt to revolutionize the genre or introduce complex mechanics. Instead, the focus is on a relaxing experience that fits perfectly with a cup of coffee, a podcast in the background, or a short break during the day.
Of course, the fact that we played an early version means there is room for improvement. Occasionally, we noticed that some koalas seemed perhaps too blended with the background, making the line between challenge and frustration very thin at times. Additionally, the long-term appeal of the game will largely depend on the number of maps and the variety of content in the final version. Fans of this type of game will likely be satisfied with the concept alone, while players looking for deeper gameplay might remain somewhat indifferent.
From a technical standpoint, the playtest we tried ran smoothly and without serious issues. We did not encounter significant bugs or technical difficulties, which is always a good sign for a project still in development.
The first impression after playing the closed playtest is that Covert Koalas Phasco understands its target audience very well. If you enjoy games like 100 Hidden Cats, 100 Hidden Frogs, or similar "hidden object" titles, there is a good chance you will feel right at home here. It doesn't reinvent the wheel, but what it does – it does charmingly enough to be worth looking forward to.
And let's admit, searching for hidden koalas on hand-drawn maps does sound a bit more exotic than searching for the hundredth cat.
If this charming Croatian project has intrigued you and you want to follow its further development, be sure to add it to your wishlist via the official Steam page. This way, you'll be among the first to know when Covert Koalas Phasco gets an official release date and new content.
