{"rewrite":{"id":"r_75c3cb6c625f93e3f700b3f0","clusterId":"c_7df3ac535c8dae76a42eddf2","slug":"finding-polka-interactive-adventure-launches-on-steam","model":"deepseek-v4-flash:free","headline":"Finding Polka Interactive Adventure Launches on Steam","summary":"PARCO GAMES released Finding Polka, an interactive adventure by Japanese creative studio lidlocks, on Steam today, August 12, 2026. The game follows protagonist Frendy, who lives peacefully with his dog Jazz, as he searches for a dog resembling Polka, a companion from his childhood. Set in a world drawn with a ballpoint pen, players explore map areas while chasing Polka's figure, with optional mini-games such as mini golf, whack-a-mole, soccer penalty kicks, boat races, watermelon splitting, and volleyball. The game has no dialogue or words; characters convey emotions through facial expressions, gestures, and sound effects. Guest creators from the indie scene contributed, including HIPHOP group DON YASA CREW, known for SONOKUNI, who handled rap for insert songs and BGM, and Hiroshi Sawatari, developer of NeverAwake and Magical Princess, who directed the shooting game parts. Shoma, known for MotionRec, designed a stealth puzzle in the rocket factory section. The game is priced at 1,500 yen, with a 20% discount to 1,200 yen until August 25. Bundle versions with TOEM, Hidden through Time, and Lost and Found Co. are also available, and a launch trailer has been released.","whyItMatters":"The release brings together a roster of indie creators with distinct styles, from SONOKUNI's hip-hop to NeverAwake's shooting mechanics, into a wordless adventure, showing how PARCO GAMES is curating collaborations that cross genre boundaries.","webCardHtml":"\u003cp\u003eFinding Polka is the latest release from PARCO GAMES, the game label of Parco, and marks lidlocks\u0026#39; entry into a pen-drawn world. The game\u0026#39;s premise centers on Frendy and his dog Jazz spotting a dog that resembles Polka, a childhood pet, prompting a search across a map filled with optional activities. These mini-games are not required for story progression, allowing players to detour freely.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDeveloper Shinnosuke Kumasawa brought in guest creators with whom he has deep ties. DON YASA CREW, known for SONOKUNI, provided rap for insert songs and BGM, and Kumasawa said he wanted their music after playing SONOKUNI. A dispatched Kerberos dog also appears in the game. Hiroshi Sawatari, who directed the shooting game parts, is the developer of NeverAwake and Magical Princess. Kumasawa noted that the STG section was meant to be a small addition but became the most game-like part. Shoma, known for MotionRec, designed a stealth puzzle in the rocket factory, which Kumasawa praised for its thoughtful route design.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe game is available on Steam for 1,500 yen, with a 20% discount until August 25, and bundles with TOEM, Hidden through Time, and Lost and Found Co. are offered. A launch trailer commemorating the release has also been published.\u003c/p\u003e","blueskyPost":"Finding Polka is out now, and it's a wordless adventure where you high-five characters to make allies. No dialogue, just expressions and sound effects. The dog search begins.","twitterPost":"DON YASA CREW, Hiroshi Sawatari, and Shoma all contributed to Finding Polka. The game's shooting parts became the most game-like section, per the developer. Now on Steam.","threadsPost":null,"newsletterBlurb":"PARCO GAMES has released Finding Polka, a pen-drawn interactive adventure about searching for a childhood dog. The game features guest contributions from indie creators like DON YASA CREW and Hiroshi Sawatari, and is available on Steam with a launch discount.","attributionJson":"[{\"source\":\"4Gamer.net\",\"url\":\"https://www.4gamer.net/games/975/G097539/20260810010/\",\"title\":\"Finding Polka Released Today: An Interactive Adventure to Find a Dog That Looks Just Like the Beloved Dog Polka from Childhood\"},{\"source\":\"Game Spark\",\"url\":\"http://www.gamespark.jp/article/2026/08/12/170542.html\",\"title\":\"Interactive ADV 'Finding Polka' Released, Where You Search for a Dog in a Pen-Drawn World! Creators of 'Magical Princess' and 'SONOKUNI' Also Guest Participate\"}]","lintFlagsJson":null,"lintHits":0,"costUsd":0,"inputTokens":5854,"outputTokens":1107,"status":"published","repairAttempts":0,"nextRepairAt":null,"factsAttemptedAt":1786501309,"createdAt":"2026-08-12T02:13:29.000Z","publishedAt":"2026-08-12T02:16:44.000Z","updatedAt":"2026-08-12T02:13:29.000Z"},"cluster":{"id":"c_7df3ac535c8dae76a42eddf2","canonicalTitle":"ペンで描かれた世界で犬を探すインタラクティブADV『Finding Polka』配信！『まじかる☆プリンセス』『SONOKUNI』クリエイターらもゲスト参加","representativeArticleId":"a_70dd02f826302d12f10e3ccd","sourceCount":2,"writtenSourceCount":2,"writeAttempts":0,"isSolo":false,"entitiesJson":"{\"anime_titles\":[],\"manga_titles\":[],\"work_titles\":[\"Finding Polka\"],\"studios\":[\"PARCO GAMES\"],\"people\":[\"Hiroshi Sawatari\"],\"type\":\"release\",\"domain\":\"games\",\"is_roundup\":false}","contentType":"news","status":"published","firstSeenAt":"2026-08-11T23:00:03.000Z","lastSeenAt":"2026-08-11T23:00:03.000Z","updatedAt":"2026-08-12T02:16:44.000Z"},"attribution":[{"source":"4Gamer.net","url":"https://www.4gamer.net/games/975/G097539/20260810010/","title":"「Finding Polka」，本日リリース。幼いころに飼っていた「ポルカ」にそっくりな犬を探すインタラクティブアドベンチャー"},{"source":"Game Spark","url":"http://www.gamespark.jp/article/2026/08/12/170542.html","title":"ペンで描かれた世界で犬を探すインタラクティブADV『Finding Polka』配信！『まじかる☆プリンセス』『SONOKUNI』クリエイターらもゲスト参加"}],"entities":{"anime_titles":[],"manga_titles":[],"work_titles":["Finding Polka"],"studios":["PARCO GAMES"],"people":["Hiroshi Sawatari"],"type":"release","domain":"games","is_roundup":false},"keyFacts":["Finding Polka was released on Steam on August 12, 2026, by PARCO GAMES.","The game is priced at 1,500 yen, with a 20% discount to 1,200 yen until August 25.","Guest creators include DON YASA CREW, Hiroshi Sawatari, and Shoma.","The game features no dialogue or words, using facial expressions and sound effects instead.","Bundle versions with TOEM, Hidden through Time, and Lost and Found Co. are available."]}