Ministry of Lost Things: Case 1 Lint Condition
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A mismatched sock, a missing key, a fading memory. Somewhere, someone is cataloging them.
What it's about
A journey into the Elusiverse, the world of lost things
Something important has disappeared. Not by chance, not entirely. It has ended up in the Elusiverse, a parallel universe where mismatched socks, lost keys, and forgotten memories continue to live their strange existence. You are a scout for the Ministry of Lost Things. It's up to you to bring back that item — and the story it carries.
Ministry of Lost Things: Lint Condition is the first case in a new series from PostCurious, the studio behind games like The Light in the Mist and The Emerald Flame. Four envelopes to open in sequence, each with cipher, logic, fitting, and deduction puzzles. With each turn, the mystery expands: who lost what, and why that item mattered so much.
Designed by Mark Larson, Rita Orlov, and Chelsea Stark, illustrations by Nicole Gustafsson. Integrated progressive online hint system on the official M.O.L.T. portal — no blocking, just help when needed.
What they're saying abroad
"The perfect entry point to PostCurious — the puzzles are characteristically excellent."
The perfect entry point to the PostCurious world — the puzzles are excellent as always.
— Meeple Mountain
"Brimming with puns and pathos — quirky puzzles and witty wordplay that tug on your heartstrings."
Full of puns and heart — original puzzles and witty wordplay that touch your soul.
— Escape the Review
Ministry of Lost Things: Lint Condition
Also designed for solo play. The contemplative pace and intimate narrative work beautifully alone — many prefer it that way, with a cup of tea and no rush.
FrogScore · FroGames editorial review · based on rules, international reviews and play sessionsWhat you'll find in the box
The tools of a Ministry scout
4 sealed envelopes
To be opened in sequence. Each envelope is a chapter — letters, maps, clues, testimonies. There's no turning back.
Ciphers and riddles
Puzzles of logic, words, physical fitting. Continuous variety — no two puzzles are alike.
Online M.O.L.T. portal
Official hub to check solutions, unlock subsequent chapters, and receive progressive help when needed.
Artwork by Nicole Gustafsson
Warm and nostalgic illustrations that transform each paper component into a small collector's item.
When you're finished, you'll look at mismatched socks with different eyes. It always happens with PostCurious.
📖Rulebook and portalEnglish · M.O.L.T. online portal
The game requires an internet-connected device to verify solutions and unlock subsequent chapters. No traditional account — the portal works with magic links via email.
A five-part investigation
What happens at the table
Not the rules. The experience.
The Ministry's letter
You open the box and find a letter. The Ministry is swamped with work. An important object has ended up in the Elusiverse and needs to be brought back. Signed, stamped, posted in your kitchen. You read it twice to make sure it's actually happening. Then you open the first envelope.
The first aha!
There's a cipher right before your eyes, but you don't see the code yet. You turn the page, compare, try. Then suddenly the pattern emerges — and you laugh to yourself. The first "of course!" in a series you didn't expect. You enter the solution on the online portal. Chapter two unlocked.
The table fills up
Each envelope adds pieces. Letters, maps, testimonies from talking socks. Now the table is covered — and the lost object begins to take shape. Who was the owner? Why did it matter? You discover one clue, then another, then you realize that everything has always been connected.
The tender moment
There's always a moment in Ministry of Lost Things where you stop solving puzzles and just read. Because that object wasn't just an object. And you're not just solving a puzzle — you're reconstructing a fragment of someone's life. Your eyes get a little misty. Then you go back to the cipher.
The object returns home
Fourth envelope. Final solution. The M.O.L.T. portal confirms: mission accomplished. The object has been returned. You sit down, look at the table full of papers and letters, and realize that an hour and a half has really passed. When does Case 2 come out? The answer interests you more than you would have imagined.
How to play
The flow of each chapter
Four phases that repeat within each envelope. The rhythm is contemplative — no timer, no rush.
Take out all the contents — letters, maps, paper components. Read the introductory narration. This is where the chapter begins.
Each chapter has multiple well-marked puzzles. Ciphers, connections, logic, deduction. You move from one to the next by following the visual clues.
Enter the solutions into the official M.O.L.T. portal. If you get stuck, the system offers progressive hints: first a subtle hint, then a more direct one, then the solution.
Once the chapter is complete, the portal reveals new story details and authorizes you to open the next envelope. You always move forward, never backward.
Why it's different from others
Six things that make a difference
Always different puzzles
Ciphers, connections, logic, words, space. No puzzle is like the last. Variety is PostCurious's signature — and it's particularly evident here.
Intelligent hint system
The M.O.L.T. portal only shows hints for the puzzles you're working on and releases them progressively. No spoilers, no frustration.
Story and puzzles intertwined
You don't solve puzzles that then tell you a story. Solving is the story. Each solution reveals a piece of the past of the lost object's owner.
Artwork to keep
Nicole Gustafsson signs warm and melancholic illustrations. Every letter, every map seems like an object from an archive of beautiful and forgotten things.
The gateway to PostCurious
Shorter and more accessible than The Light in the Mist or The Emerald Flame. If you've never tried a PostCurious game, Lint Condition is the perfect starting point.
Your time, your pace
No timer, no pressure. Play one envelope, close the box, pick it up whenever you want. The portal remembers where you left off.
How it works
A one-time experience
Ministry of Lost Things is a narrative puzzle: you play it once, you remember it for a long time. Here's what to expect — and what not to expect.
What you'll find
- Four consecutive chapters of puzzles and narration
- Approximately 2-3 hours of total gameplay in one or more sessions
- An ending that closes the case and opens the series
- Paper components with refill kits for writing without damaging
What to know beforehand
- One-time experience — once solved, the secrets won't return
- Requires an internet-connected device for the online portal
- Texts and puzzles in English — some puzzles are based on wordplay
- Not a traditional board game: no turns, no board
Ministry of Lost Things: Lint Condition is the first case in a series by PostCurious. Quick to open, hard to forget.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ about Ministry of Lost Things: Lint Condition
Is it really accessible to those who have never played narrative puzzles?
Yes, and that's one of the reasons it exists. PostCurious designed Lint Condition as a gateway to their catalog — shorter, less dense, and more guided than their previous games like The Light in the Mist or The Emerald Flame. The M.O.L.T. portal's progressive hint system ensures that no one gets stuck. Those who start here can then easily scale up to other titles.
Can it really be played solo?
Yes, and many prefer it that way. Ministry of Lost Things works very well solo — the contemplative pace and intimate narrative are better suited to solo play than to groups. In cooperative mode (up to 4 people), the game becomes more social, but the more personal atmosphere is somewhat lost. There's no right mode: it depends on what you're looking for.
Is it replayable?
No, it's designed for a single complete session. Once the puzzles are solved and the story is discovered, the secrets are revealed and won't return. This is the explicit trade-off of all single-use narrative games — in return, they offer a meticulously crafted experience. You can give the box to someone who hasn't played it, but you can't repeat the case yourself.
Do I need internet to play?
Yes, an internet-connected device is required — phone, tablet, or computer. The M.O.L.T. portal is used to verify solutions, unlock subsequent chapters, and receive progressive hints. Access is free and without a traditional password: it works with a magic link via email.
Do I need to know English to play?
Yes, a medium-to-good level of English is required. The narration is an integral part of the game, and many puzzles are based on wordplay, linguistic ciphers, and texts. It's not a technical translation — it's a game to be read in full. Those who are not comfortable with English would do better to opt for other localized narrative puzzles.
When will Case 2 be released?
The second case in the series — Finders Keypers — has been announced by PostCurious and follows the story of Jenna, a woman who loses a carabiner keychain. The exact date depends on editorial timelines. However, Lint Condition is complete: no unresolved cliffhanger, it's a standalone case that introduces the world.
Ministry of Lost Things: Case 1 – Lint Condition is a narrative puzzletale for 1–4 players (ages 14+, duration 120–180 min). Designed by Mark Larson, Rita Orlov, and Chelsea Stark, artwork by Nicole Gustafsson, published by PostCurious in 2025. Main mechanic: puzzle solving in four sequential envelopes with online verification via the official M.O.L.T. portal. Ciphers, logic, physical connections, and narrative deduction alternate in a contemplative experience set in the Elusiverse, the parallel world of lost objects. The first case in a new series — perfect as an introduction to the PostCurious universe (The Light in the Mist, The Emerald Flame) or as an accessible narrative puzzle for less experienced players. English edition, single-use, solo or cooperative mode. Available on FroGames.it.
Ministry of Lost Things: Case 1 Lint Condition
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