The best hidden object games for PC and mobile devices

Digital versions of Where’s Waldo? or I spy, also known as hidden object games, are mechanically simple yet incredibly complex. The premise of finding hidden items in crowded spaces can create visual puzzles from static pages; Most of the work in playing a hidden object game happens with the eyes and the brain.

In recent years, the hidden object genre has started to evolve. The main gameplay, spotting things in crowded rooms, is branching out in new directions: story-filled dramas, surreal worlds, and even adventure games. There has never been a better time to search for the genre.

We have compiled a list of the best hidden object games that you can play on all platforms: Windows PC, Mac, console, and mobile device. Some of them may not be considered traditional hidden object games, but all of these selections share the basic premise of the genre.

Eventide: Slavic fable, created by the hidden object game powerhouse Artifex Mundi, is the genre in its purest form. The narrative of Slavic fable naturally focuses on Slavic mythology, using these stories as a backdrop for beautiful and complex worlds. There are also simple puzzles to accompany the hidden object game.

Eventide: Slavic fable is available on Android and iOS devices, Mac, Linux, and Windows PC.

Created by a solo developer, Little life is a short free game that is described as “an interactive city discovery game”. In a set of in-depth illustrations set in Shenzhen, China, players search for small interactions that come together to create intimate scenes, like a piece of paper eventually turning into a paper airplane for a cat to take away.

Little life it’s free on itch.io.

Drawn: Dark Flight is another classic hidden object game, this time from the prolific publisher Big Fish Games. It unfolds like a dark fairy tale, filled with beautiful illustrations to stop and look at.

Drawn: Dark Flight is available on Android and iOS devices, Windows PC, and Mac.

Milo and the magpies is a magnificent hand-painted game by illustrator Johan Scherft. Simply put, it’s a world I want to live in: helping a curious gray cat named Milo find his way home. The game unfolds as Milo travels through various neighborhood gardens.

Milo and the magpies it is available on Mac and Windows PC.

Labyrinth City: Pierre, the labyrinth detective, created by developer Darjeeling, looks a lot like Where’s waldo?, but it is not a classic hidden object game. The game is part hidden object, part puzzle maze; Each scene is packed with strange things and people, many places to click and interact, and many dead ends to get stuck in. It’s simple, and it’s based on a children’s book, but it’s still quite interesting to explore.

Labyrinth City: Pierre, the labyrinth detective is available on Android and iOS devices, Nintendo Switch, Mac, and Windows PC.

Hidden people, released in 2017 by Adriaan de Jongh, is an indie favorite. The enchanting world drawn by illustrator Sylvain Tegroeg is delightful when combined with Hidden people‘animation and silly sounds. There is much to find in these chaotic black and white worlds.

Hidden people is available on Android and iOS devices, Nintendo Switch, Mac, and Windows PC.

A game about love and letting go When the past was around plays more like point and click adventure game with hidden object items. It has a whimsical art style that is easy to get involved in, with lovely music to set the mood.

When the past was around is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows PC, and Xbox One.

Toe It is also an adventure game, which focuses on your photography mode within the game. But just like the hidden object genre games, Toe is a game about simply noticing things in the world around you, which, of course, is magical.

Toe is available on Nintendo Switch, Mac, PlayStation 5, and Windows PC.

Created by Aconite, HoloVista It is a strange and surreal world in which you are an architect named Carmen inspecting a mysterious and dreamy mansion. It is played in a unique way, adding elements of alternate reality over the hidden object format on mobile.

HoloVista can be played on iOS devices through the App Store.

More psychedelic than surreal, Morphopolis It is full of bright and shiny art and a fun story. If you haven’t guessed it from the name, these are bugs, specifically a larva seeking metamorphosis.

You can play Morphopolis on Windows PC.

Like Hidden people, Wind peaks It is described as a cartoon game. Players search for objects in the world, such as hats, shoes, and flashlights, as they go through a cute and cheesy story.

Wind peaks is available on Nintendo Switch and Windows PC.