A hidden object game (sometimes called hidden picture or seek-and-find) is a genre of puzzle video games where the player generally must find items from a word list that are hidden within a picture scene. Hidden object games are a popular trend in casual gaming, and are comparatively inexpensive to buy. Time-limited trial versions of these games are usually available for download.
Very often, these games are published as a standard edition (SE) and/or a Collector's Edition (CE). This trend has started since the release of Mystery Case Files: Dire Grove in 2009 has continued ever since. Collector Editions have extra content not found in Standard Editions, including but not limited to:
The Collector's Edition logo used for every CE version of a hidden object game.
- A bonus game
- Downloadable wallpapers
- Downloadable soundtrack
- Replayable hidden object scenes
- Replayable puzzles
- Findable collectibles throughout the game and/or after beating the game
- Rewatchable cutscenes
Sub-categories[]
There are different types of hidden object games that can usually be grouped in the following subcategories:
- HO/HOG - Hidden Object Game (the classic HO with word lists)
- AHOG - Adventure-Hidden Object Game
- iHOG - Interactive HOG (HOs that you can interact with, has more adventure aspects)
- FrOG - Fragmented Object Game (find item pieces instead of words on lists and/or Find pieces of items to make a whole object, which you will then use in the game)
- Examples: Dark Parables series
- HOPA - Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure (heavier on puzzles and adventure elements mostly point-and-click adventures)
- Pop-up Game aka Bubble (you interact with objects via "pop-ups")
- Examples: Treasure Seekers series
Some other Abbreviations you might stumble upon:
- LFA - Large File Adventure game (true or pure point and click adventure - no H0 scenes)
- LF/LFG - Large File Game (usually without an online demo)
- STD or FTD - Spot The Differences / Find the Differences
- TM - Time Management Game
Famous Series[]
Some of the most famous series of Hidden Object Games are:
- Dark Dimensions
- Dark Parables
- Dark Tales: Edgar Allan Poe's
- Grim Facade
- Grim Tales
- Haunted Hotel
- Mystery Case Files
- Mystery Trackers
Developers[]
Developers of hidden object games include Artifex Mundi, Awem Studio, Big Fish Studios, Blue Tea Games, Boomzap Entertainment, Codeminion, Daily Magic Productions, Eipix Entertainment, Elephant Games, ERS Games, Mad Head Games, PlayFirst, Sandlot Games, SpinTop Games, Tap It Games, Top Evidence Studio, GameTop