According to the site PC Games Junkie, the very first hidden object game was " Hidden Case Files: Huntsville in 2005. Since that time, HOGs or Hidden Object Games for your PC or Mac have become increasingly favored. Who is playing all of these 'Find and Seek' games? What's the appeal? Are not they all the same after awhile? I shall endeavor to respond to these questions as I look at this genus of games. I have explored Game Forums and Sites, read reviews, played the games, and have written one or two reviews myself, and all the while I have asked myself, Why do I keep playing these games?
Hidden object games usually have colorful graphics, lovely music, cunningly sneaky hidden items to find, a story-line to follow, and additional mini games and puzzles to unravel. The tale line most frequently involves a puzzle to expose, clues and / or keys to assemble, strategies to bare, and journeys to experience! But where most HOGs have these core elements in them, some offer little twists and modifications, bizarre settings and different mini puzzles, to keep them fascinating!
Most Hidden Object PC games include a 60-minute free trial so can be played for free. Alternatively they can be played online at sites like GrandMatrix.com. The story line normally starts of with you being charged with a very important quest to solve the mystery of such-and-such... You are transported to a brightly-colored, beautifully drawn and cluttered room, filled with every imaginable object from an armchair to a zebra, supplied with a list of items to find, and given a set amount of time and hints.
With this job before you and no time to loose you dive straight in, scouring the screen for rugs and rings, clicking on hats and hooks, and laughing with satisfied happiness as you eventually reveal the shark and the scarf! Pride fills your chest as you successfully complete the 1st room, and your ego grows with the knowledge how clever, fast and observant you are.
Many years back as a kid, I can recollect playing games of 'I Spy' while lying in the dark bedroom I shared with my 2 younger sisters. Our powers of observation and memory were frequently sorely tested as we took turns and described items in the room, hoping the others had forgotten or never noticed them before.
It can be really rewarding to do a HOG challenge and win! After a long day at work, or simply escaping from the mortgage and orthodontist bills for one or two hours, you can become involved in the expedition, hunting for hidden objects, keys and clues to the poser. My studies have found that most HOG players are adults, relaxing and / or obsessing over inventory lists and missing treasure maps, secret codes and confusing mansions.
The best Hidden Object Games I've played so far need to be Escape Rosecliff Island and Mishap : An Accidental Haunting. Both have wonderful graphics, music, story-line, and hidden objects that are challenging without being so maddening that they leave you pulling your hair out by the roots! You'll find reviews of these 2 games and can download the free trial version from GrandMatrix.com.
So, the next time you're looking for something a bit different, try a Hidden Object Game and go on a scavenger hunt. You just never know what you'll find!
About the Author:
Want to find out more about free online games, then visit www.grandMatrix.com and play the best free games around.
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