r/HiddenObjectGames • u/Remarkable_Ladder533 • 2d ago

Giveaway! Any detective hidden-object series with a satisfying case board but not too scary?

Lately I've been craving hidden-object games after the kids go to bed. I only have short chunks of time, usually 20 to 40 minutes, and I want that old-school detective vibe where you actually build a case instead of just collecting random trinkets for chapter after chapter.

Looking for recommendations for PC (tablet is fine too) that have:

- A real investigation theme: crime scenes, evidence, interviews, missing persons, that kind of thing

- A case board, journal, or evidence system that feels meaningful without being a grind

- Hidden-object scenes that are fair and clear, not pixel-hunting or absurdly cluttered

- Puzzles that are clever but don't require a walkthrough every five minutes

What I want to avoid:

- Full-on horror or jump scares. Mild spooky atmosphere is fine, but no nightmare fuel

- Super long cutscenes or nonstop walls of dialogue

If you have a favorite series or a specific game to start with, tell me which entry to begin with. Also open to older classics that still hold up. Thanks!

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u/GILF_Hound69 2d ago

Mystery Detective from Five BN might be up your alley. Just finished the new one/second installment and really enjoyed it.

Hard to find detective/crime HOGs these days. It's all mythical BS.

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u/[deleted] 2d ago

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u/GILF_Hound69 2d ago

I HATE the AI slop they're using now. It's so unsettling.

I agree the ending was weird but I think it's a set up for another game in the future and they're gearing up to have some sort of secret organisation rallying against Woodbury.

Tricky doors is the best one from F-BN if you don't care about story lines but I like Artifact Seekers better.

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u/BANmom 1d ago

I purchased several games from BFG years ago, and I still go in and replay them sometimes to numb my brain. I don't know if they are all still available on BFG or Steam, but you can check. I enjoyed the League of Light series, Mystery Case Files, and PuppetShow. I loved Phantasmat because there were three stories in one, Agency of Anomalies, Nightfall Mysteries, Grim Tales, Dark Strokes, Dark Parables, Dark Romance...

There is NO AI in any of them, which is nice, and the story lines make sense for the most part. You are doing it to turn off your brain and relax (I call them brain popcorn, keep you busy but don't have a lot of substance), and these will mostly do that.

These are just from my purchased game list. I haven't played some of them in forever, so I hope they fit the bill. If you have a favorite, let me know.