Little Problems: A Cozy Detective Game just released on Steam today—and it’s exactly what it says on the tin. A detective game where you don’t solve murders, you solve mild inconveniences.

Do you like the logic of detective games but can’t stand the gore? Want to play a gumshoe without needing a mop bucket? This is for you. You’re not saving the world—you’re just “enriching” it one tiny fix at a time.

And I have to ask: is this where cozy games jump the shark? Is Miss Marple too hardcore now? Maybe. There are definitely too many cozy games out there.

But I’ll give this one credit: if it sticks the landing, the whole idea of a dead-serious detective wasting brainpower on lost earrings and petty squabbles could be downright funny. Ten little cases are packed into this game, each one built like a mini puzzle box.

The presentation is straight-up cozy manga. Pastel palettes, soft lines, bright smiles. Overdone? Probably. But that’s the point.

Music is gentle, leaning on acoustic guitar and light instrumentation. Sound effects wouldn’t be out of place in a Japanese PC adventure from the ’90s.

Controls are mouse-only. No gamepad support here.

And yes, it’s Windows only for now. No official Linux support, though the Steam Deck crowd will surely try Proton soon enough.

Specs have low requirements: a 1.7 GHz dual-core, 4 GB RAM, Intel HD 3000, and a whopping 2 GB of storage. If you have a laptop that isn’t already in the recycling bin, it’ll run.

The developer is Posh Cat Studios, a small indie team out of Indonesia—and this is their debut. Published by Amplified Games. Fun fact: the project actually started life as a murder mystery, before the devs pivoted to protect their mental health. Now it’s murder-free, which might be the most 2025 indie dev decision ever.

Reception so far? Positive, though the only review on day one is from someone who got it free. So take that with a grain of salt.

Introductory price: C$11.69 (with a 10% launch discount until Sept 23). Personally, that feels steep when there are cozier games with more meat on the bone. But I can’t deny the premise made me laugh. A detective, magnifying glass in hand, tackling the grand case of… mixed-up cookies.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2653470/Little_Problems_A_Cozy_Detective_Game/

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