Publisher PARCO GAMES and developer lidlocks have announced that Finding Polka, a cozy walking-sim adventure, will launch for PC via Steam on August 12, 2026. A release date trailer accompanied the announcement, and a free demo covering the game’s opening has been available on Steam since April.
Frendy and her dog, Jazz, are walking past a flower shop when they spot a dog that looks exactly like Frendy’s childhood pet, Polka. Without a second thought, they take off after it. From there, you’re given a map and an objective: find Polka. Ultimately, the game is less about reaching the destination and more about getting lost along the way. The project is also deeply personal for its creator. Japanese solo developer Shinnosuke Kumazawa, working under the name lidlocks, created the game as a tribute to his late dog. He has shared that his own pet’s memory lives on in the paw prints Polka leaves behind.

The search takes Frendy across towns, forests, and oceans, all beautifully drawn in ballpoint pen to create a charming sketchbook style. The game features absolutely no text or voice acting. Frendy interacts with a delightfully weird lineup of characters, like lazy giraffes and starving cats, who communicate purely through sound and movement. Helping them out earns you a high-five and a new friend, and they will even show up later to lend a hand when you are stuck. While you are exploring, you can also stumble across a bunch of fun, optional diversions that have nothing to do with the main story, like boat racing, mini-golf, and a watermelon-splitting game.

Finding Polka marks the fourth title published by PARCO GAMES, following previous releases like The Berlin Apartment, Constance, and NOVA ANTARCTICA.The game has already earned two awards at BitSummit PUNCH, taking home prizes for visual excellence and the Kids Selection.

Finding Polka is available to wishlist now on Steam.