Hidden object games is probably one of my all-time favorite genres since I played a ton of them as a kid. Plus, who doesn’t love a little mystery and creepy vibes, right?
These days, they’re super easy to find. Just open your app store, and bam — plenty of options. But let’s be real, not all of them are worth your time. Many make you wait forever to gather enough energy for just one puzzle and then hit you with endless ads and pay-to-win nonsense.
Sure, some of that is to be expected (mobile games are mostly free, after all), but trust me, not all hidden object games are created equal. After testing out a ton of them, I’ve gathered the best ones for you. Enjoy!
1. An Elmwood Trail
An Elmwood Trail (see my full review here) is probably one of the best hidden object games for mobile out there right now. It has beautiful art and animations, with great music to support it all, and it really creates an experience you’ll love. Especially so if you play it during gloomy autumn days.
You’re meant to solve a mystery and find the missing girl, a journey which involves plenty of interesting and challenging puzzles. The only thing that might be bothersome is that some puzzles don’t offer any directions — like, a puzzle is just dropped in front of you and you have to figure out what to do.
But I feel like, once you get a hang of things, you can sort of sense what it might be about.
Other than that, it’s very interactive and allows you to choose your own dialogue, which only improves the gameplay. I feel like the choices you make really matter, and the fact that you’re never sure if you can trust people makes the atmosphere even better.
There’s no energy, no cooldowns, so you can play it an unlimited amount of time in one sitting. There are also no ads, except when you want to get a hint.
2. June’s Journey
This is one of the most famous hidden object games for mobile, and for a good reason. It has amazing storylines (that are constantly updating), great graphics, and interesting puzzles. It’s truly worth your time, but keep in mind that it can also require patience. This is not one of those games you can play endlessly in one day.
Almost all hidden object games have this energy mechanic that I really hate, but June’s Journey is better than most. It gives you plenty of energy on day one, and then enough to really play the game each day.
It doesn’t feel overly cash-grabby, but there are options to buy energy or ways to earn it. But the storyline and the characters you meet along the way are worth the wait.
3. Hidden Through Time
If you’re willing to spend a few bucks (like 2 or 3) on a game so you don’t have to experience ads or money grabs, then this might be the best game for you. It has a cute and pretty art style and fantastic game mechanics. The objects are literally hidden throughout the history of humanity, and you have to find them.
Unlike the previous two games, it doesn’t have the murder mystery aspect, so please be aware of that. It’s more of a “Where’s Waldo” type of hidden object game, where you have to find something small on a really busy screen, but it’s challenging and plenty of fun.
The best part is that this game has several sequels and so you can continue enjoying it even once you finish the first one.
4. The Lost Lands Games
This series offers the perfect balance between mystery, hidden object and puzzles. And all of that without ads being forced on you, money-grabs or energy requirements. Which means you can play it as much as you want.
There are around nine of these games, and they’re all fully free. They’re not really murder mystery in the Agatha Christie sense — there are fantasy elements like ghosts or monsters, so you might like them if you enjoy the paranormal.
Plus, you need to be aware that they’re not fully hidden object and have plenty of puzzles instead, but I found this aspect fun. It adds some variety to the gameplay and you’re not forever stuck just finding things. The puzzles are challenging and entertaining.
5. Sherlock: A Hidden Object Mystery
While this game falls into all the normal traps of the hidden object genre (having to wait for energy, ads, etc.), it’s also unique and this is why it might be worth playing. As Sherlock Holmes, you solve mysteries within different famous stories and books. For example, you get to enter Wonderland and help Alice, or help Dorothy in Oz. There are tons of famous classics involved and if you like books, you’ll definitely enjoy this one.
But, as I said, it’s not the greatest in terms of energy so prepare to play for only a bit each day.
6. Hidden Folks: Scavenger Hunt
Hidden Folks: Scavenger Hunt is a surprisingly cozy hidden object game. It’s full of festive scenes, from snowy streets to Christmas markets, all packed with tiny details and little interactive moments that keep things interesting.
You’re dropped into these colorful, cluttered environments and asked to find all kinds of objects and characters. There are tools to help you out, like hints and zoom, but it never pushes you too hard. There are no timers, no penalties, and no pressure. It’s great if you’re looking for something simple and cheerful, without any of the usual mobile game nonsense.
Best Paid Hidden Object Games
If you’re okay with some spending, here are the best hidden object games you can buy on the Play store. The best part is that these come without ads or in app purchases, often even without waiting for the energy to gather at all.
- Wind Peaks — This will cost you around $14 but it’s on discount often where you can get it for $5. But anyway, it’s a great game that will give you tons of content for that money. There’s not a lot of story, but you will have a bunch of hidden objects to find.
- Down in Bermuda — This one is cheaper at only around $5 and it has many puzzles and things to do aside from looking for hidden objects.
Some More Puzzle/Mystery Games to Try
1. Boxes: Lost Fragments
This is a paid game, but you get a few chapters for free and they’re really enjoyable. This doesn’t have the hidden object elements, but it does have so many fun puzzles and challenging aspects, plus a great atmosphere. If you want to know more, check out my full review.
2. Another Shadow
This is a horror and mystery game that isn’t quite a hidden object, but it has puzzles, and you might like it if you enjoy solving mysteries, with a side of the paranormal. Some of the game mechanics are truly unique, and the art is simple, yet beautiful to look at.
3. Krispee Street
This is a Netflix game so you won’t have to suffer any in-game purchases or anything like that. You do need a Netflix subscription, however. But it’s a fun, cartoony game where you have to find different people and objects on a really busy screen, so it gets pretty challenging.
Mobile Hidden Object Games to Avoid
1. Murder in The Alps
This game has some truly wonderful storylines and puzzles, but it all pales in comparison to how unplayable it gets after a day. The energy runs out quickly and you have to wait ages for it to restore enough to properly play it. It doesn’t help that you need said energy to also unlock dialogues, so it really does run out pretty quickly.
But if you’re willing to spend money on it or you only want to play for a few minutes a day, it should be fine — it’s actually very enjoyable, just really cash-grabby.
2. Murder by Choice
This is another great game that ruins it by having very slow energy generators. Everything in the game requires energy, and you’ll spend it faster than you think. But again, just like with Murder in The Alps, it’s a fun game, but it requires a lot of patience.
So if you’re not looking for something to fill your days with, and would only like to play for a few minutes a day, then this might just work for you.
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