Ok, so I grew up with the Where's Waldo books, and also loved other Hidden Picture puzzle books I was able to get my hands on...
This is such a simple concept for a computer game, but it's so awesome! This is a clean, fun, family friendly game that I can enjoy with my kids, and it scratches my Hidden Picture itch as well.
The levels start off small, but end up being quite large. The difficulty is not too overwhelming, but is still enough to be thankful for the hints that appear as you scroll over the hidden items on the bottom of the screen.
The mechanics are pretty simple as well... Click on anything. There are a number of interactive elements to keep the fun going even when you're stuck and can't find the hidden items. Torches will light up, trees will rustle, creatures and people will make sounds. Even inanimate objects have unique sounds... Like eggs. They sound like eggshells cracking when you click on them. It's these types of subtle attentions to detail that always makes me smile while playing this with my six year old. She loves clicking on the dinosaurs and other animals.
The music is relaxing, if not repetitive. But, hey, this isn't meant to be played for hours on end. Just like you wouldn't want to ride an elevator over and over again. The music would drive you crazy... But from floor to floor it's enjoyable.
The graphics are cute and cartoony, very similar to the Where's Waldo books.
And that's it. It's a hidden picture game with interactive elements, and they don't ask an outrageous price for it. It's a small price to pay for many evenings of fun.
AND... There's a MAP DESIGNER! So, you can design your own maps once you've gone through the pre-made ones. Even write your own hints for the items you hide. And it's super easy to use, so my kids and I can take turns making maps for each other and seeing how long it takes for each other to find everything.
I am so glad this game exists. Really, it's a gem.