Review: Hidden Through Time 2: Discovery (Nintendo Switch)

Hidden Through Time 2: Discovery is the third entry in the hidden object franchise. So why does it share a 2 in its title with the last series game, Myths and Magic? Despite my initial thoughts, it’s not DLC. It is slightly smaller than its predecessor (three eras instead of four), though the price has also been lowered appropriately to $9.99. Unclear marketing aside, this is another fun entry, but it retains one problem the prior game had.

Should I address said problem immediately? I think so, as the bulk of the game is positive. But, the Noir era has a broken map. Chinatown will glitch, sometimes immediately, sometimes a couple of minutes in, but 100% of the time. The screen movement controls invert, and your cursor freezes in place. This game has been out for a month now, and the fact this bug has yet to be patched makes me uncomfortable recommending this game.

That aside, I’ll again emphasize that Hidden Through Time 2: Discovery is fun. And while that bug is sizable, in many ways, this is a more polished entry than the last game. I also appreciate that the eras better reflect the titular “time” element. The prior title needlessly shoehorned magic into it and thematically suffered from—let’s call it—randomness that was hard to ignore. Yes, there’s still fantasy here (how would you have a “Science Fiction” era without some?), but unlike the prior game, it now fits.

Returning are the level alterations (time of day, weather) and map editor with new characters and objects. Fans will feel right at home. Meanwhile, new players should feel relaxed, with the music and lack of time restrictions providing an inviting welcome. Like the first game, I enjoyed several user-created maps online. I wish to see the option of sorting these by “number of objects” added. A means to grade them by stars would also be beneficial as many of the “Most Liked” are very simple, though these will also benefit new players.

Offering more of what gamers saw in the last entry, Hidden Through Time 2: Discovery rounds out a worthy trio, even if it curiously shares numbering with its predecessor. A sizable bug, presently rendering the game impossible to 100%, can’t be ignored. But, with a slightly better optimization overall, plus an improved theme, this is still a good entry to grab when it’s discounted or patched.