Hidden Through Time 2: Discovery – Another Fantastic Hidden Object Game

“I play the game for the game’s own sake.” – Arthur Conan Doyle

Overview

Hidden Through Time 2: Discovery is the latest game from Rogueside and a sequel to both Hidden Through Time and Hidden Through Time 2: Myths and Magic. It is a delightful, hand-drawn hidden object game with levels set across three different eras. Players will search, decipher clues, and uncover hidden objects, but also create and share their own worlds!

Gameplay

Hidden Through Time 2: Discovery includes a short but adequate tutorial, after which the player is presented with a variety of unique objects to find, each with its own specific clue. The main campaign features three distinct eras, Victorian elegance, Noir mystery, and Sci-fi wonder, Each Era has a number of levels, each becoming more vast and with more hidden objects as the player progresses through them. The maps are detailed and full of a vast array of thematic structures, props, creatures and even some recognisable characters such as Sherlock Holmes, Victor Frankenstein, and Dracula. The overall feel is casual and the game offers a very laid-back experience. Unlike in some other hidden object games, there is no hint system available in any of the Hidden through Time games, it is possible to revisit the tutorial at any time, however.

Objects are hidden with a range of difficulty but the visuals are clean and the clues are well-written making for a very satisfying search. The clues can present a light challenge but always make sense and logically lead to the object being hunted making for highly satisfying gameplay. Unlike in previous games, items will disappear from the list at the bottom of the screen when found, making the UI much cleaner and less confusing. Much like in Hidden through Time 2: Myths and Magic some levels include the ability to shift to different times of day and vary weather conditions. There are up to two options per level and each item will only be discoverable during certain conditions, such as during the nighttime or when it is raining.

The main story will take around 3 – 3.5 hours to complete, after which players can play a selection of online maps, created by the community. These are of mixed quality for obvious reasons but it is easy to search for the best-rated maps and there are some very impressive examples out there. To facilitate this, the game also comes with an easy-to-use map editor which is a lot of fun in itself and includes more customisation options than previous installments.

Narrative and Styling

Unlike the first game, Hidden Through Time, both Hidden Through Time 2 instalments feature light narrative elements in the form of brief narrative exposition at the start of each level, in keeping with the theme or era. A short story is gradually revealed throughout each era, each with a different protagonist and various events that occur. This is a fun addition but doesn’t add too much to the gameplay or experience as a whole.

The different areas are depicted in familiar, 2D, isometric, hand-drawn visuals in a simple but cute cartoon art style with bold lines, and rounded shapes. The colour palettes range from vibrant and warm, to cool, muted shades depending on the era and the specifics of each level, suiting the game perfectly.

The music is wonderfully eclectic and befitting of each era, The noir section utilises jazzy piano, whereas the Victorian era’s soundtrack is slightly more eerie and suits its detective protagonist. There are also a vast array of fun, and sometimes silly sound effects, which are often triggered by clicking on different in-game objects. Overall the sound design is well implemented and helps create a very immersive experience that makes it stand out amongst other games in this genre.

Summary

Just like its predecessors, Hidden Through Time: Discovery is a wonderful example of a hidden object game, featuring a variety of hidden objects, satisfying clues, cute artwork and adorable sound design. Each iteration of the game includes a selection of fun additions that elevate it from previous titles in the series such as narrative elements, a more efficient UI, time and weather conditions and improved customisation on the map editor. The map editor itself adds a host of extra content and really extends the experience as much as the player desires. Overall, this game has a lot to offer, it is engaging yet relaxing and is generally an absolute joy to play. I’d highly recommend it to fans of the genre.

If you enjoy hidden object games, you may like these reviews:
Wind Peaks – Hidden Object Game – A Tower Full of Cats – A Feline-Filled Journey through Time! – Cats in Time – Travel the World in Search of Lost Cats!

Did you like this article? Consider supporting Indie Hive through Patreon! Patrons receive an early access article on Sundays!