Best Hidden Object Game Series That Were Canceled Too Soon

The hidden object games industry is a tough one to be in. While there is the potential to sell a gazillion copies and have your game series become an evergreen essential, there is also fierce competition. The hidden object genre was once crowded with small and big developers, churning out the best hidden object games of different themes and storylines. However, in 2020, this beloved classic genre is dominated by just a handful of familiar developers.

It is important to keep in mind that just because a game series was canceled, that doesn’t mean that it was not of high quality. In fact, many discontinued hidden object series on this list have produced top-tier hidden object games that are miles better than some of the ones currently offered. Since Big Fish Games holds the license to most of these series, it might not be possible to resurrect them for more installments. But a great game is still a great game and is thoroughly entertaining today as it was back then.

This list features 20 of the best hidden object series (in no order) that are absolutely deserving of another sequel, a chance for them to become a beloved staple, or simply just an opportunity to finish the story that they started. A lot of these games were also offered as a Collector’s Edition, which means that they were once deemed flagship projects of their respective studios. Whether they were discontinued due to lower-than-target sales or the studio closing down, they are wonderfully crafted games that you will still enjoy in 2020.

20 Best Discontinued Hidden Object Series That Need Another Sequel

Macabre Mysteries: Curse of the Nightingale

Blue Tea Games, the renowned studio behind the Dark Parables series, actually has quite a few unfinished series under its belt, but Macabre Mysteries is probably the best of them all. This dark adventure in the theater world caused massive waves when it was first released that it came as a surprise that it only spawned one game.

Download and Play Macabre Mysteries: Curse of the Nightingale on PC and Mac.

Dreadful Tales

This thrilling hidden object saga from Eipix Entertainment produced two installments in its first year to great fanfare, which signaled great potential. The Dreadful Tales series was creepy and highly creative, but unfortunately was cut short due to Playrix’s recent acquisition of the studio.

Get started with Dreadful Tales: The Space Between on PC and Mac.

Brink of Consciousness

The Brink of Consciousness series is one of my favorites of all-time. The first game, Dorian Gray Syndrome, was an incredibly thrilling adventure, while the sequel, The Lonely Hearts Murders, was a breathtaking murder mystery. With the caliber of MagicIndie Softworks, one could only imagine what the third Brink of Consciousness would have been like.

Get started with Brink of Consciousness: Dorian Gray Syndrome on PC and Mac.

Otherworld

From Boomzap, the makers of the iconic Awakening series, Otherworld was equally deserving of acclaim and praise. The Otherworld series followed Fiona on her fantastical adventure in a fantasy realm across all four seasons. Unfortunately, this great hidden object series was canceled after its third game and Otherworld: The Eternal Winter was never brought to life.

Get started with Otherworld: Spring of Shadows on PC and Mac.

Nightmare Realm

If you are a fan of the Drawn series, then Nightmare Realm is a must-play! Take a trip deep into an imaginary world taken over by darkness in this storybook-like adventure game. The first Nightmare Realm set new standards for the casual adventure genre and the second and final game was just as breathtaking.

Get started with Nightmare Realm on PC and Mac.

Hallowed Legends

In 2011, the famous Elephant Games introduced the first Hallowed Legends game. Each game in the franchise told intriguing folklore through effective visual realism and sophisticated gameplay. The series was discontinued after three games, but with the trajectory that it was going, it deserved so many more.

Get started with Hallowed Legends: Samhain on PC and Mac.

Depths of Betrayal

It is not every day that we come across a truly amazing steampunk hidden object game. Unfortunately, Depths of Betrayal was never made into a proper game series. Still, as a standalone game, this was extremely engaging and refreshing. This is what PuppetShow would have been if it really committed to its mechanical steampunk side.

Download and Play Depths of Betrayal on PC and Mac.

King’s Heir: Rise to the Throne

Previously known as Kingmaker, King’s Heir: Rise to the Throne was just released in 2018 and became an instant hit. It was even voted as one of the best games of 2018. However, since Cordelia Games went quiet for some time now, it might be safe to assume that this best-selling hidden object game will never see a sequel it deserves.

Download and Play King’s Heir: Rise to the Throne on PC, iOS, Android, and more.

Eternal Journey: New Atlantis

Alawar was a force to be reckoned with in the hidden object games landscape. They also happened to have a habit of not continuing their series and Eternal Journey: New Atlantis was a victim of that. From Atlantic Ocean to Mars, this Sci-Fi game took the player on a mind-blowing ride. Eternal Journey: New Atlantis was considered pioneering for its time and definitely was worthy of another sequel.

Download and Play Eternal Journey: New Atlantis on PC and Mac.

Angelica Weaver: Catch Me When You Can

Solve a suspense case in Chicago with Angelica Weaver, an equipped detective with unique investigative abilities. This fan-favorite hidden object adventure was known for its exhilarating storytelling and movie-like look and feel. It also paved the way for more recent detective-themed HOPAs such as Ghost Files and Adam Wolfe.

Download and Play Angelica Weaver: Catch Me When You Can on PC and Mac.

Timeless

The Timeless series really lived up to its name. This fantasy time-traveling extravaganza not only featured beautiful graphics but also packed interesting storylines. While Boolat Games mostly focuses on the free-to-play mobile game Decurse nowadays, I hope the studio will bring this series back for another go-round.

Get started with Timeless: The Forgotten Town on PC and Mac.

Phenomenon

This hidden object series really knows how to stand out in a crowd of cookie-cutter hidden object games. All three Phenomenon games delivered memorable, highly-imaginative experiences. If you are looking for a dystopian adventure that has a little bit of everything, then look no further!

Get started with Phenomenon: City of Cyan on PC.

Maestro

AMAX Interactive (previously ERS Game Studios) does not often know how to end a series, having dragged out Haunted Legends, Redemption Cemetery, and PuppetShow for so long. But the Maestro series surprisingly ended after only four games, especially considering the amount of success it had. It is never too late to jump into this ominous saga of musical incidents.

Get started with Maestro: Music of Death on PC and Mac.

Stray Souls

The Stray Souls series is a true classic! The first Stray Souls game raised the bar for the genre through innovative concepts, perfect storytelling, and complex gameplay – making it one of the best hidden object games of the past decade. The sequel might not be able to capture the same spirits but was still more thrilling than most titles in the market.

Get started with Stray Souls: Dollhouse Story on PC and Mac.

Infected: The Twin Vaccine

Gogii Games was responsible for a range of hidden object classics, notably Princess Isabella and Empress of the Deep and it was a shame that Infected: The Twin Vaccine never saw a sequel. This game read like a captivating dystopian book and unfortunately, rings particularly true in 2020 during an actual global pandemic.

Download and Play Infected: The Twin Vaccine on PC and Mac.

Web of Deceit

Blam! Games has released a number of great hidden object games in its days, but the Web of Deceit series is made for those who love a good drama. Via intricately-woven storylines and complex graphics, Web of Deceit games were engaging from beginning to end.

Get started with Web of Deceit: Deadly Sands on PC, Mac, iOS and Android.

Margrave

The Margrave series actually began as a traditional hidden object game, but ventured into the HOPA territory and upped its production values with Margrave: The Curse of the Severed Heart. Help Edwina Margrave solve her family secrets through four beautifully-crafted games.

Get started with The Secret of Margrave Manor on PC.

Sacra Terra

Sacra Terra is another excellent hidden object series from Alawar that was cut short due to unknown reasons. Like a good fantasy novel, Sacra Terra featured brilliant world-building and character development. Enter a stunning world guarded by angels and laced with demonic magic in this two-game series that was prematurely canceled.

Get started with Sacra Terra: Angelic Night on PC.

Mystery Legends

The Mystery Legends series kicked off in 2008, but it was not until its sequel Mystery Legends: The Phantom of the Opera that it began to build its own fanbase. Similar to Living Legends, Mystery Legends games told well-known stories with a twist. The series could have gone on much longer given its gigantic success and timeless quality.

Get started with Mystery Legends: Sleepy Hollow on PC.

Unsolved Mystery Club

Like the famous Hidden Expedition series, the Unsolved Mystery Club is an expedition game based in reality. While there were only two games in the series, they were both intriguing as well as inspiring; feel-good games that were rare in the genre. The potential for this hidden object series was limitless, but was discontinued way too soon.

Get started with Unsolved Mystery Club: Amelia Earhart on PC and Mac.

Reincarnations

The first Reincarnations game was the game that turned Vogat Interactive into a HOPA force back then. Reincarnations took a clever concept and built layered gameplay around it. If it was given the chance for more sequels, I’m certain that it would’ve been as popular today as it was in its early days.

Get started with Reincarnations: The Awakening on PC and Mac.

This list is just a glimpse into the expansive world of hidden object games. If you have a hidden object game series in mind that you think deserves more sequels, feel free to comment below!