Hidden object games

Hidden object games are such fun to play - and what makes these games so compulsive are the games' setting or location, the imaginative storyline, and the ultimate goal you are aiming to achieve.

Hidden object games are often set in exotic locations, which pique your interest and add color and excitement to the game.

Maybe you'll find yourself in Victorian London...

Or lost in the Bermuda Triangle...

Trapped in a haunted house or a fairy maze...

Or bamboozled in the aftermath of an earthquake!

Let's check out some of the latest hidden object games, and find out a bit more what kinds of plots and intrigue we can expect.

New hidden object games to download

Coming up - a range of some of the newest hidden object online games for you to try out - let's start with something that should test your seeker skills:

Escape the Museum 2 Save helpless victims as you cross town to rescue your wife and daughter, trapped in the museum after a huge earthquake! Lots of hidden object exploration, puzzles, and adventure as you find what you need to continue each stage of the game.

The Mystery of the Crystal Portal Another rescue - can you stand the pace?! Of course you can, because now you have to help Nicole Rankwist, journalist, whose father - an archaeologist - has gone missing. Not only has the poor guy disappeared, but it seems he had discovered... something... that would change humanity as we know it!

Murder, She Wrote A detective hidden object game, with Jessica Fletcher, mystery author, on the murder trail - suspects beware! In this game there are five cases to solve, and you can play against the clock or in relaxed mode if you're getting a bit stressed out! Plenty of action here, along with mini games to test your wits.

There are tons of great plots for these games!

As you can see, storylines involve saving people or yourself, escaping, surviving, or solving mysteries.

Some games involve an educational element where you can gather interesting facts, but most are fiction-based, allowing your imagination to run riot.

They're a type of adventure and mystery game, where you find yourself employing your observation skills as effectively as you can to achieve your aim.

The goal of these games?

Ending the "story" successfully using your skills in finding the clues and items found in the different stages of the game; putting the pieces together to give you the means to save or escape or survive; and of course, the real goal of each game is for you to enjoy the whole experience so much that you want to play another one!

You'll also find other common elements:

• Many hidden object games give you time limits for each part of the game, meaning that you'll have to speedily locate what you're looking for.
• There may be mini games included, so you won't always be searching for hidden objects.
• And of course there will be rich graphics to enjoy, as well as music or sound effects that can be amazing... or a little disappointing, depending on the game.

Examples of seek and find games

Here are some of the most popular hidden object games - and as you'll see, most of them incorporate many of the above elements.

Adventures of Robinson Crusoe
Cast away on a Caribbean island, join Robinson in a hidden object exploration game, featuring cannibals, a lost village, and 28 years' worth of adventure. Can you build a boat and return home? A shipwreck inspired puzzler with mini game, testing your will to survive.

Shop-n-Spree
Wanna go SHOPPING? Who doesn't!!! Try out your hidden object and time management skills while keeping customers happy - and save the good ol' family store. Sell stuff, play mini games, and enjoy this virtual shop experience set in one of my favorite hidden object games.

Mystery Legends: Sleepy Hollow
Sleepy Hollow sounds harmless enough; but blend together a Headless Horseman, eerie locations and spooky laughter, and you end up with victims... and a mystery to solve.

Veronica Rivers: Portals to the Unknown
Now you're hunting for geologists - don't you ever get a break? Come on, time to hunt down those missing objects as a rescue pilot at the North Pole! Take your hot water bottle :)

Magic Encyclopedia
This really is a work of art, with hand painted scenes - beautiful. Can you find a young lady's brother? Of course you can! Collect hidden items, some of which are added to your inventory, and travel the world - again!

Forgotten Riddles: The Moonlight Sonatas
With the help of an old journal, work your way through the opera house rooms to find hidden objects which will help you to solve the riddle of composer Francis von Amadeus.

Dream Day Wedding: Married in Manhattan
It's not often you get to plan a New York Wedding! Choose which couple you'd like to work with, then organize the cake, the gown, the flowers - and play mini-games and challenges as you work your way along.

The Lost Cases of Sherlock Holmes
Join Sherlock Holmes and Watson in this find-a-clue hidden object game. Sixteen cases to solve and guilty parties to find in Victorian London will keep you sleuthing away into the small hours! Cases include The Maestro's Violin, The Porcelain Dragon, The Dockland's Spy and The Vanishing Actress.

Search crime scenes, spot the differences and find the objects you need to gather conclusive evidence. Great juicy detective fun!

Laura Jones and the Gates of Good and Evil
In this hidden object adventure game, you help Laura gain the six keys to the Gates - and "save the world from certain destruction" - by working out a variety of challenges. Mini games and fun characters all add to the mix.

The Sultan's Labyrinth
Ready for a little ancient fairytale romance? OK! Off we go to ancient Persia, to assist Sultan Bahar in his quest to find a Prince for his daughter, Princess Sahira.

Potential suitors have to do more than fill out a resume - they must solve puzzles and demonstrate their wisdom before one of them gets to be "the chosen one!"

Who will it be? Solve secrets, escape the labyrinth, and find the next Sultan!

Dream Chronicles 2 - The Eternal Maze
In this fairy dream world, you'll be finding dream jewels and puzzling your way through the chapters of this game to help Faye save her husband and daughter from the clutches of wicked Queen Lilith.

Sprill: The Mystery of the Bermuda Triangle
Sprill's a fox, who has to find clues hidden in the ocean... that will help find the pearl... that will save an alien world!

Natalie Brooks: Secrets of Treasure House
Search Treasure House's secrets and mysteries, solve puzzles and follow the intriguing storyline right alongside Natalie.

Escape the Museum
Here we join Susan, trapped in the National Museum of History which has been decimated by an earthquake; Help Susan locate objects, rescue her daughter, and escape the museum!

Haunted Hotel
How do you feel about spending the night in a haunted hotel? Always wanted to do it? Well, now's your chance! Search creepy rooms, solve yet more puzzles, and cross your fingers that you last until dawn!

Hidden Object Buzz

Found it!

These small moments of victory, as you locate each cleverly hidden item, add up to a whole lot of fun!

You might be looking for a banana in a bookstore or a kangaroo in a kitchen... but it sure beats looking for your car keys :)

Twist on a Simple Idea

The simple task of finding something turns into a challenge.

You've got a list of items to find.

A limited amount of time to find them all in.

And if you fail - you start again - often with a new set of things to hunt for!

Picture Puzzles, Too

Hidden object games are such an enjoyable kind of picture puzzle!

You'll meet not only great graphics, but also weird and wonderful collections of objects.

Some games ask you to use your imagination to work out the connection between the objects you've found and the story you're playing out in the game.

Where to play

Alawar Games
Alawar's a nicely organized site - try their selection of hidden object games and more.

Big Fish Games
Another big selection of games featured here.