My Top Ten Hidden Object Games

For those of you who haven’t come across this type of videogame before, the premise is quite simple: Much like the Where’s Waldo? series of books, or a ‘spot the difference’ puzzle, the player is presented with a series of scenes filled with dozens of different objects and scenery; from this, they have to find a list of objects. Most of them have a plot of some description, and several minigames.

For those of you who have come across them and played them, you’ll have noticed there’s a certain amount of… variability to the quality of the games. And given that’s there’s well over a hundred on the market to date, and many more on the way, it’s sometimes difficult to decide which are actually worth parting money with for.

I’ve played a lot of these, some good, some bad, some simply excellent. Hopefully, this quick list will give you a better idea of which ones are worth getting.

Please note: All links to these games are picked dependent on Google searches, and presented only to give you an idea of what the games look like. In most cases, several software companies will be offering the same games. It might be worth checking around the various websites, to see how the prices compare. Most of the games either have trial downloadable versions, or flash versions you can play online.

Mystery Cookbook (link)

This is one of the cuter games out there, where you play the role of a mouse aspiring to be a chef. You encounter a range of other animals, from hamsters to cats, who offer advice and give you tasks. As you might guess, most of these tasks revolve around finding various objects for them. Held together very well by an endearing storyline and great artwork on the scenes and characters, and the gameplay is well executed. Otherwise, it’s really just a run of the mill hidden object game. But then, presentation counts.

Hidden Expedition: Titanic (link)

Like several others in this list, HE:T is one of a series of games, in this case (obviously) the Hidden expedition series. The plot centers, as you’d imagine, around recovering treasure from the sunken wreck of the eponymous ship. Minigames abound, some the standard jigsaw puzzle/spot the difference fare, others much more intricate and unique. The sets are again realised very well and look gorgeous. Not much of a plot this time, beyond ‘find loot’, but filled with trivia regarding the Titanic‘s fateful voyage.

Spirit of Wandering – The Legend (link)

I believe this was the first hidden object game I came across that wasn’t one of the Dream Day Wedding series. You play the role of a ship’s captain searching for her lost love, and encounter all kinds of spooky, ghostly nonsense along the way. Again, like HE:T, the plot takes a backseat to the actual game, but this doesn’t really matter as the game is enormous fun.

Little Shop of Treasures (link)

Part of the Little Treasures series, the premise to this one is quite simple; You’re working in a series of shops to help fund setting up your own shop. Customers come in and ask for specific objects, which you find and sell to them. No plot to speak of otherwise, but further shops become unlocked as you play, and various awards and trophies can be earnt. Unlike some of the gloomier, shadow-ridden hidden object games, this one is nice and cheerful looking, full of bright, almost gaudy graphics.

Dream Day Wedding (link)

As far as I’m aware, this was the first game of this nature on the market; it was certainly the first one that came to my attention. Your goal is to help Robert and Jenny plan their wedding, by (as you might have guessed) finding lots of hidden objects. Nice and simple stuff, with a sweet plotline that you even get to influence with choices. The series is continued with the sequels Dream Day Honeymoon and Dream Day First Home.

Magic Academy (link)

You might find the look of this one rather familiar. To say it’s cashing in on the Harry Potter craze of late might be slightly unfair, but you can’t help but notice how similar a game based in a school for witches and wizards feels and looks. Having said that, it’s very well done, and carries an imaginative storyline about trying to locate your missing sister at the school. A caveat, incidentally; don’t confuse the game with Abra Academy, another hidden object game. That one would be one of the ‘variable quality’ games I mentioned.

Secrets of Great Art (link)

SoGA has a rather compelling twist to it; the hidden objects you’re looking for are hidden in masterpiece oilpaintings. You play the part of an amnesiac hero who is searching to solve the mystery of the secret hidden within these painting. Nice, if only for the touch of class the artwork brings to it.

Mystery Case Files – Madame Fate (link)

Another game with a family pedigree, the Mystery Case Files series. I can’t say I’ve played any of the others in the series, but this one is wonderfully executed. Set around a murder mystery, the twist is that the fortune teller at a local fair has forseen her own demise, and you must search for the clues that lead to her future killer. Wonderful artwork, and some very well realised and unique minigames.

The Clumsys (link)

Another very well thought out theme for a hidden object game. You play an eccentric inventor who has created a time machine, but your grandchildren have meddled with it and caused problems throughout history. You end up visiting key scenes throughout history to try and repair the damage they’ve done, as well as rescue all the kids. A large variety of levels from the Apollo missions to the Trojan Horse to the birth of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

The Scruffs (link)

I couldn’t not put this one as number one, as it endears itself to you practically from the moment you load it. Set around a family which faces eviction unless they can discover the secret Grandpa is hiding somewhere in the house, this game is unusual for featuring a full voice cast for each member of the family. This, coupled with the wonderful cartoonish art, makes it a joy to play. The actual gameplay isn’t so different to most hidden object games, but it’s done with a confidence and style that deserves far more recognition than it gets.