Do you have an eye for detail? Well, hidden object games might be up your alley then. They tickle your brain and test your observation skills to see if you can solve some mysteries. Moreover, many come with intriguing storylines that keep you hooked. So put on your detective hat and get cracking with our list of the best hidden object games for iPhone and iPad.
1. June’s Journey
Here’s a murder mystery in the form of an intriguing hidden objects game. It features intricately designed scenes that you have to observe to find the items on the list given to you. You start with three items, and every time you find an item, the following item is revealed. I found it quite challenging and fascinating.
Further, I think the story adds to the game’s appeal as it’s interesting to try and solve the case. This game is the successor to the developer’s highly successful Pearl’s Peril, but it deserves to be appreciated in its own right rather than compared to the previous game.
It’s colorful and full of surprises that keep things entertaining. The controls are a bit tricky to get used to at first, but that will hardly detract you. And although there are in-app purchases available, it’s possible to play the game free, thanks to plenty of options to earn all the coins and energy you need.
I also like the extra challenges that let you earn bonus prizes. I immensely enjoyed my journey with June. You should definitely give this a try.
Price: Free (In-app purchases start from $0.99)
2. Criminal Case
I love this classic game that’s steeped in suspense and high on fun. You have to help out the police in the dark and corrupt city of Grimsborough by investigating crime scenes for clues, analyzing evidence, and bringing in suspects for questioning to find the murderers.
The story is engaging, and the gameplay smooth. You can quickly zoom in and out to find objects faster and get cracking on the case. Further, the graphics are quite appealing and easy on the eyes.
This game is my top pick for the complexity of the cases coupled with ease of use. It’s convenient to keep playing for a long time, and I found it quite stress-relieving.
The diversity of characters and scenarios further adds to the appeal. Although there are occasional ads, they do not detract from the experience. Plus, it’s possible to get through the game completely free without opting for in-app purchases.
It’s the perfect blend of a detective game based on finding hidden objects and solving other puzzles. The only drawback is that it consumes significant time to make progress in the game.
Price: Free (In-app purchases start from $0.99)
Get ready to scour 71 eerie locations for all kinds of mysterious objects that will help unravel the mysteries of Shadow City as you fight monsters, confront a cult, and get rid of the horrible evils that plague the city. The graphics are beautiful, and the quests will keep you challenged.
While this an entirely free hidden objects game to play on your iPhone, you can unlock optional bonuses via in-app purchases. I found that some of the later quests can be difficult to complete in the given time without opting for a purchase. But if you have the liberty of time, you will probably get skilled enough to crack it.
Further, I found that it’s a bit tricky to figure out how to play the game and the objective. But once you stick with it, it gets addictive. The more “friends” you connect with within the game, the faster you progress.
I enjoyed the experience of connecting with people from all over the world while playing.
Price: Free (In-app purchases start from $0.99)
4. Seeker’s Notes
It’s time for an adventure quest and many hidden objects to find along the way. In this game, you play the role of a seeker who owns a powerful artifact known as the Magical map. This holds power to save the cursed city of Darkwood.
The shadowy streets are crawling with secrets and mysteries, with fascinating storylines full of unexpected twists and turns. I loved all the different types of puzzles, such as the Treasure Box, Haunted Lights, and Mosaic.
Further, there are also mini-games within the game, such as match-three puzzles that mix things and motivate you to keep playing. There are over 9000 quests that you can explore. Hence, this game will keep you company for a long time.
Moreover, a multitude of events and daily quests offer fantastic rewards. This level of variety keeps the game exciting and entertaining.
Price: Free (In-app purchases start from $0.99)
5. Pearl’s Peril
Let’s talk about the predecessor to June’s Journey that’s got some amazing graphics and brilliant storytelling. It features exquisite hand-drawn scenes that will take you worldwide, from the streets of 1920s New York to Paris, Polynesia, and beyond.
I found it a lot less complicated than June’s Journey, but it still maintains the intrigue, thanks to a vivid world of glamour, mystery, adventure, and romance! The story drew me right in, as did the hidden-object puzzles.
You get to stand side by side with the trailblazing Pearl and test your detective skills against a vast international community of fellow players.
It’s quite a challenge to match objects to their silhouettes and unlock exclusive island decorations! You can then use the unlocked elements to create a dream island getaway.
Price: Free (In-app purchases start from $1.99)
This one’s another beautiful hidden object game in which you can attempt multiple challenges within the same scene.
For instance, you start off cleaning up the hotel reception and have to find multiple items. While the scene stays the same, the items or the task keeps changing.
This gets slightly tedious, and I found myself wishing I could skip onto the next scene. However, it also doubles up as a memory game as you need to remember where the objects were placed each time you attempt a new task in the same scene.
To replenish your energy and keep playing the game for long, you will need to watch short ad videos. This gets annoying, but the game is fun enough to compel you to do this.
Price: Free (In-app purchases start from $0.99)
7. Mystery Manor
Say hello to a beautiful world and mystical graphics that will spark your interest from the get-go. You start by opening an envelope that briefs you about the mystery at hand so that you can start exploring the manor and finding objects.
You’ll meet all sorts of fantastic creatures, from fierce monsters to spooky ghosts, as you search and find clues. There are many hidden artifacts to uncover, secret rooms to explore, and challenging puzzles to crack.
The mini-games, too, offer quick bursts of energetic play. And the best part is how you can search for objects in different modes, from words and images to silhouettes and phenomena.
I also appreciate how this game works offline so that you can play it on-the-go without an internet connection.
Price: Free (In-app purchases start from $0.99)
Here’s a game that tests your town-building skills along with your ability to investigate richly detailed hidden object scenes. Complete over a hundred magical collections and have a ton of fun along the way.
The game is based on a story in which you are summoned to Twilight Town to investigate a death by solving a range of twisted clues. Of course, the town has a lot more to it than meets the eye, and it’s up to you to discover it all.
Along with finding the objects, you have to manage the goods’ supply, care about the citizens, and improve your reputation. I enjoyed the colorful cast of characters in their different guises.
The game stands apart in combining city building with hidden objects to give you a range of challenges such as management problems, fighting evil, dealing with threats, etc.
I must make a special mention of the beautifully rendered and richly colored graphics that add that extra charm to this game. The one drawback is that it takes a while to load each time you open it.
Price: Free (In-app purchases start from $2.99)
What’s your favorite game to find hidden objects? Share with me in the comments below, along with any opinions you might have about the ones on my list!
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