Hidden Through Time 2: Myths & Magic Switch Review

I remember back in my days at EB Games, there was a massive surge in the popularity of hidden object games. There was the Ravenhurst, Titanic Mystery, and several other titles that showed static images with plenty of items to find and they were a particular hit with the older crowd of clientele who came into the store. Hidden Through Time 2: Myths & Magic is a bit of a throwback to these games but with more modern twists. What’s it Like? Get your magnifying glass, sharpen those senses, and prepare to time travel as we review Hidden Through Time 2: Myths & Magic for Nintendo Switch.

Check at the end of the review for how you can win an ANZ copy of Hidden Through Time 2: Myths & Magic!

Hidden Through Time 2: Myths & Magic plays like an animated Where’s Wally book. You are tasked with visiting different mythological times and finding a certain amount of objects before moving to the next area. The further along you go, the more complex and larger the areas get. Each item gives a subtle hint about where you should look and helps you tick more items off your list. You can zoom in and out on the map and move the camera about, as well as “open” buildings so to speak, to take a further peak inside. It’s almost like a puzzler mixed with an interactive storybook that’s accessible to gamers of all skill sets and ages.

The 4 eras you can visit are The Magical 80s, 1001 Nights, Greek Mythology, and The Middle Ages, and are full of some great pop culture references. There’s a catchy musical loop that plays for each era and I found myself being absorbed into the world of the game while searching for objects. There’s an interesting weather mechanic that changes the level, revealing certain items that can only be found in certain situations. Thankfully, there’s an indicator of which items can be found and when so you’re not haphazardly flicking back and forth frustratingly trying to find something. There is a small introduction to each level in each era but as the game is designed to be enjoyed in quick bursts and maps, it doesn’t lean too heavily into this narrative.

The game also features Architect mode, which allows you to create your own maps and challenges and share them online with your friends. You can also download other users’ maps as well, increasing replayability for those chasing more item searches. This Architect mode is incredibly deep, allowing you to design entire maps from scratch with its intuitive design system, meaning there’s an almost limitless amount of levels on offer, created by some deviously clever players. I tested a few user maps out and they were both creative and challenging, which was something I really enjoyed. I did mess around with the creator mode, but felt like my skills needed a bit more polishing before I shared my creations online. Creations uploaded have a rating system as well, helping you filter the higher-quality creations so you can jump right into some good maps.

The art style is simple yet effective. There are limited looping animations, as well as minor animations for anything you click on too in some way. It plays almost like an animated storybook, with the pages coming to life with its simplistic and effective art direction. Characters have charm and the worlds have many secrets to discover. The game runs well, except for minor hitching when season swapping, and has a lot of polish. I did have one “infinite loading” bug which I haven’t been able to replicate, so it could even be an issue with my SD Card. For under $20, there’s a lot of gameplay here for fans of the genre, and plenty of replayability too.

Much like the wonder we had as children when pouring over the pages of “Where’s Wally,” Hidden Through Time 2: Myths & Magic manages to capture that same feeling as you spend a few hours discovering items and intricacies in the worlds of the game. While it may not have a deep narrative of complex mechanics, Hidden Through Time 2: Myths & Magic is a fun game for the entire family with a seemingly infinite amount of replayability thanks to its robust creator mode and online features. Hidden Through Time 2: Myths & Magic is a great way to unwind and relax while enjoying some clever pop culture references for Where’s Wally and Hidden Object game fans alike.

So, What’s It Like? Hidden Through Time 2: Myths & Magic is like Return to Ravenhurst, crossed with Where’s Wally.

In the interest of full disclosure, a review copy was provided by the publisher, but this doesn’t affect my score.

Don’t forget to win yourself an ANZ copy of Hidden Through Time 2: Myths & Magic, leave a comment on our Youtube video Review about what you would hide and where. Keep it G-rated, and the most creative answer will be notified on Friday 9th Feb!