Thingamajigs | PC Demo Review
When I was growing up, the dentist’s office we went to would have Highlights magazine on the waiting room coffee table. I would always eagerly flip to the hidden pictures section. Around the same age, Richard Scarry was a big name in youth books. They also put out several “Seek and Find” books. Not really hidden pictures, but objects from a list. Thingamajigs put me right back into the joys of my childhood with this cozy “Find the Object” point-and-click style game.
I was able to enjoy the 30 minute demo of Thingamajigs on a Saturday morning and found myself scouring the mostly static images on the screen for secrets and objects. When I reached the end of the first level, I was sad that it had to end.
Simple to the Core
The gameplay is a straightforward point-and-click experience. Unlike a traditional hidden object game where items are buried under layers of clutter, Thingamajigs keeps things relatively visible. It is more about interacting with the environment than squinting at it. In addition to finding the objects, you need to find the character that needs that object. For example, once I found a watering can, I had to scout the scene for eight specific seedlings to water for the flower shop owner.
The storytelling is very light, finding the objects tells each characters’ minimal stories. A character needs the bouquet of flowers for his girlfriend. A people-watcher has misplaced his binoculars. A girl lost her bus ticket and can’t miss another day of school. There is even a bit of light cleanup involved. Interestingly, because there are only a few pieces of trash to pick up, they actually ended up being some of the most difficult items to spot against the detailed backdrop.
Art and Atmosphere
The art style appears to be hand-drawn and is full of charm. While the images are mostly static, the world “wakes up” when you interact with it. Cars occasionally roll by on the street, and certain objects like ducks will move around for a short spell before settling back into place. Most of the life in the scene comes directly from your cursor. It’s bright and colorful. Each item is strategically placed to be findable, but with enough visual distractions around to make each item reasonably difficult to find. Just make sure to give the trees a shake; there might be a drone stuck in one of them.
And yes, you can pet the cats. While there isn’t a dedicated animation for it, clicking on a feline triggers a flurry of hearts and a continuous purr that sticks with you whenever you linger nearby. It is a small, cozy touch that fits the vibe perfectly. Other sounds are environmental and largely minimalist as well. Some medieval cosplayers are getting ready, one is playing a lute. I enjoyed that music and found myself dragging the cursor to their area just to hear the music again. Otherwise, just random neighborhood sounds. Click on the car and a horn honks, click on the ducks and you hear a quack.
Initial Thoughts
The thirty-minute demo was plenty of time to see exactly what Thingamajigs is offering, and I walked away wanting to see the full version. The sound effects are satisfying, the art is inviting, and the gameplay is the digital equivalent of a warm blanket.
One thing to note for my fellow handheld fans: the demo was not compatible with handheld controls. I had to play this one at my desk on the PC. It remains to be seen if the full release will add support for devices or consoles so for now, keep your mouse ready.
To hear me talk more about Thingamajigs, be sure to listen to the April 14th, 2026 episode of The Gaming Outsider Podcast around the 1:04:47 time stamp.
This review is based on a preview copy of Thingamajigs provided by the developer for coverage purposes. As of this writing, it is exclusive to that platform.
