Top 5 Hidden Object Games – The Best in the Genre!

“She looks at her window and sees the moon playing hide-and-seek behind the clouds.” – LaTasha Reynolds

Introduction

Hidden Object games are a great way to relax, they can be played for longer sessions but are also great to dip into while taking a break or enjoying a quick cuppa! They are widely available and there is no shortage of different games available. Unfortunately, the inherent simplicity of the gameplay (at least in terms of the fundamentals) means there are a plethora of short, cookie-cutter offerings on the market that offer minimal playtime and little to no originality, so here are Indie Hive’s top five hidden object games to help decide which ones to buy, there are even a few honourable mentions too!

Top 5 Hidden Object Games

5. Find All 3: Travel

Find All 3: Travel is the third in a series of four ‘Find All’ hidden object games by his developer. It features delightful layered 2D art in a simple illustrative style and offers players a selection of levels in which to find over 1500 different creatures and items such as racoons, birds, and tennis rackets! The scenes are depicted in black and white and are filled with colour as the objects are discovered giving a good sense of progression and achievement. The game will take a few hours to complete in its entirety (with achievements) so offers great value for money too.

4. A Tower Full of Cats

A Tower Full of Cats is another great hidden object game from Devcats (they’ve made a few and they’re all great!), it builds on the minimal expectations of the genre and provides literal hours of entertainment. It boasts a delightful, colourful aesthetic, a varied and adaptive soundtrack, and a fun narrative that takes players on a journey through history and right into space! Players climb a tower, exploring different periods in history and unlocking extra rooms and areas in which to find more cats! There are also extra super hidden cats and additional items such as nuts and bolts to find. The positive social messages make for a lovely addition that add to the wholesome feel of the experience, especially as Devcats actually adopt feline friends and practice what they preach in regards to cat rescue!

Our full review of this game is available HERE.

3. Cats in Time

Cats in Time is a casual but enjoyable cross between a puzzle game and a hidden object game, offering an extra element of gameplay on top of the traditional hidden object mechanics. It offers vibrant 3D visuals (less common for this genre), upbeat music and satisfying puzzles that are not too taxing, giving the game a laid-back and positive feel. The assortment of zones and different themes help keep things interesting and add a bit more variety to the gameplay. It has a good amount of content and will take between 4 and 7 hours to complete depending on play style and speed.

Our full review of this game is available HERE.

2. Hidden Through Time 2: Myths and Magic

Hidden Through Time 2: Myths and Magic is a fantastic example of a hidden object game, featuring a variety of hidden objects, cute artwork and adorable sound design. The art style is incredibly cute and the hints to find the various objects create interest beyond simply scouring a detailed scene. It has all the familiar and loved elements of the first game (Hidden Through Time) but also a selection of fun additions that elevate it from its predecessor such as narrative elements, time and weather conditions and advanced customisation on the map editor. The map editor itself adds a host of extra content and really extends the experience in terms of how much time can be spent playing. The follow-up game Hidden Through Time 2: Discovery is also excellent and worth playing for those who enjoy this title.

Our full review of this game is available HERE.

1 . Hidden Folks

Hidden Folks is a well-established hidden object game that was released in 2017 and then received a hefty update with new content in 2020. It is a fun experience offering an adorable, black and white, hand-drawn art style as well as even cuter ‘mouth-originated sound effects’. The game has a number of levels, each with a different theme, animations, and interactive scenery. It is easy to spend multiple hours in this game so although it has a steeper price tag it is still very much worth the money.

Honourable Mentions

Finding Hannah

Finding Hannah is a fun and unusual offering that certainly piques interest in terms of the narrative, with its relatable protagonist and fascinating but flawed side characters. While the gameplay does get a little repetitive in places, both the hidden object and item combo modes are fun and gratifying ways to progress the story adding a nice level of interaction and challenge. The aesthetics stand out with unique stylised visuals and a strong, varied soundtrack.

Our full review of this game is available HERE.

Hidden Cats in Spooky Town

Hidden Cats in Spooky Town is another great example of a hidden object game from Nukearts. It will take around two hours to complete and includes over 970 objects to find across a range of levels and difficulties. It offers cute, spooky visuals, delightful and immersive sound design and a range of satisfying levels and bonus content to keep things interesting. This is one of eight Hidden Cats offerings from Nukearts, including Hidden Cats in London and Hidden Cats in Berlin and while they all feature similar gameplay, the variety in scenery and cats makes them all a lot of fun to play.

Our full review of this game is available HERE.

Hidden in my Paradise

Hidden in my Paradise is a very casual and relaxing game. It lends itself to longer play sessions, especially if getting immersed in creating a custom level but is also well suited to players who prefer to dip in and out of the game. The cute aesthetic matches the gameplay and style of the scenes on offer and helps create a well-rounded and charming experience. An additional photography aspect to the gameplay provides a lot of fun and allows the game to offer something a little different for this genre.

Our full review of this game is available HERE.

Summary

As evidenced above, there is a wealth of hidden object games to choose from, all with slightly different themes, gameplay, and aesthetics. Some titles offer longer playtime and others that are great to dip into or finish in a short, casual session. The genre really does offer something for everyone (providing you get at least some enjoyment from finding things!). Additionally, it doesn’t have to be a pricey endeavour, with a heap of low-cost options and even a number of free titles available such as An Arcade Full of Cats by Devcats, Cats Hidden in Paris by Travelling Cats, and 100 Hidden Frogs by Anatoliy Loginovskikh!

Hopefully, this list will highlight some new hidden object games, or even inspire you to try an unfamiliar genre! There is a lot of fun and relaxation to be had with these games so what are you waiting for!?

If you enjoy playing relaxing games, you may also like these reviews:
Tiny Lands – A Relaxing, 3D game of Spot-the-Difference – Tiny Glade – A Whimsical and Relaxing Building Experience – The Shape of Things – A Relaxing Rubik’s Inspired Puzzle Game