Finding a great hidden object game can be a tricky business. The genre is filled with low-effort, low-reward mobile apps, so stellar games are easy to ignore.
We've picked our 10 favorite HOGs that balance engaging gameplay with beautiful artwork and compelling characters, with just the right amount of challenge to keep players tuned in. From murder mysteries to psychological thrillers to puzzles for puzzle fun, there is a hidden object game that appeals to your aesthetic.
This list brings together the best choices for each platform: PC, console, and mobile devices.
Ghost Files 2: Memory of a Crime
Available on: PC, Android, iOS
Former police officer and private investigator Arthur Christie is having the worst possible morning. The game begins with him waking up in a dark basement with a murder victim and no knowledge of how he got there. He's sure he's innocent, but the holes in his memories won't help him prove it to the police who quickly surround the building. It's up to you to guide Arthur through a difficult and bloody investigation to find the mysterious serial killer and secure his freedom.
Hidden people
Available on: Nintendo eShop, Android, iOS, Steam, macOS and Linux
Very few games feature pokable crocodiles, and that's just one of the reasons Hidden People deserves to be included in any list of the most popular hidden object games. The hand-drawn black and white style is a welcome departure from the very saturated and dark tones of most hidden object games. Unique interactive landscapes and original sound effects bring sketched scenarios to life. This updated version of Where's Waldo is more pleasing to the eye than it might first appear; the developers have carefully thought out three color modes to break up the monotony of dark black images on a bright white background.
Eventide: Fable slave
Available south: PC, PS4, Xbox One, iOS, Android
Eventide: Slavic Fable draws heavily on Eastern European mythology for its ancient magic. This premise is quite simple: Grandma needs help with her garden. His granddaughter, Mary, must discover secret objects, befriending mystical creatures by completing a variety of puzzles and finding secret objects. Along the way, she will encounter rare herbs and dangerous creatures drawn from Slavic folklore as she seeks to save her grandmother, the heritage park and, most importantly, the world.
Grim Legends: The Abandoned Bride
Available south: PC, Mac, PS4, Xbox One, Android, iOS
Publisher Artifex Mundi continues to dominate the point-and-click hidden object puzzle adventure genre with The Forsaken Bride, the most popular installment in the Grim Legends series. In the dark village of Ravenbrook, locals rely on charms and superstition to ward off evil. Hand-painted locations filled with elusive objects tell the story of a young woman who receives an unusual invitation from her twin sister. Follow the scary and exciting story by completing puzzles and locating hidden objects.
Home makeover
Available on: Android
Emma's grandparents own a beautiful house that has been overrun with clutter. They are in desperate need of tidying up - who keeps their iguanas next to their CD collection? This mobile hidden object game boosts the realism when you sell their Victrola at a garage sale and use the profits to buy them a new AM / FM radio. Proceeds from the sale of their eclectic stack of housewares allow you to purchase new furniture, paint and other decorations for their home. It's all about choosing a fancy new cordless phone for your current grandparents without the hassle of asking them to set it up.
Mysterious Case Files: Carnival of Fate
Available on: Windows
The lost souls of the carnival workers are trapped in Madame Fate's carnival and only the master sleuth can free them. The rich artwork and intriguing story make this game, and the Mystery Case Files set, a must-have for HOG fans. Carnival of Fate is reminiscent of characters from the other three games in the Madame Fate series, but presents them well enough that new players don't feel out of the loop. With an assortment of puzzles and five difficulty modes, including a timed mode, Fate's Carnival has lots of fun. Madame Fate's cat, Isis, will help you along the way, as long as you treat her well. Sounds good for a cat.
Hidden hotel: Miami Mystery
Available on: Android, iOS
In Hidden Hotel: Miami Mystery, you inherited the hotel from your grandfather. Completing the hidden object puzzles earns the money you'll need to renovate the possibly haunted hotel. Each day in the game comes with a new set of tasks, like repairing the reception area or adding a fireplace, and a new set of puzzles. Time is unlimited in each of these puzzles, but quick play is rewarded with additional currency. Throughout the game, you will move from room to room, redecorating and adding new equipment. The storyline is rewarding, but can be completely optional for players who are right in for the challenge.
CSI: Hidden Crimes
Available on: Android, iOS
Join the Las Vegas crime scene investigation team to find evidence, interview witnesses and solve crimes. Based on the hit TV series, this mobile game is exactly what you would expect from a murder mystery hidden object game. While most Hidden Crimes focus on finding hidden objects, players use the clues found during highly engaging puzzles to gather enough evidence to identify the perpetrator of the bloody murders.
Alice in the Mirrors of Albion
Available on: Android, iOS
Fans of the classic Lewis Carroll will find themselves at home Alice in the Mirrors of Albion. This mobile app mixes the world of Alice in Wonderland with the beautiful Victorian world of Albion, filled with interesting characters and engaging subplots. If you are a fan of deep world building, the many side quests and missions will keep you occupied. While finding hidden objects and solving challenging puzzles, you will fight crime and thwart the evil plans of local criminals.
Enigmatis 2: The Mists of Ravenwood
Available on: Nintendo Switch, PS4, Android, iOS
This sequel to Enigmatis: The Ghost of Maple Creek, takes place in the lush surroundings of Ravenwood Park. The disturbing park hides dark secrets and the employees are a bit too friendly. Something's wrong, and it's up to you to put all the pieces together. 55 hand-drawn locations and a wonderfully ambient soundtrack make Ravenwood Park a beautiful place to uncover secrets.
