Around the World in 80 Days: Hidden Objects is a gentle, classically styled hidden-object adventure from Crisp App Studio that uses Jules Verne’s iconic journey as its loose narrative scaffold. Rather than retelling the novel in detail, the game borrows its globe-trotting premise and transforms it into a series of illustrated locales where players search for cleverly concealed items. From the outset, its ambition is clear: this is meant to be a relaxing, visually appealing tour through exotic destinations, each rendered with colorful detail and accompanied by region-inspired music. The game invites players to step into the roles of Phileas Fogg, Passepartout, and later Detective Fix, but its story remains light—merely a connective thread that ties together a sequence of picturesque scenes from different continents.
The foundational gameplay adheres to the traditional hidden-object formula. Each level presents a richly illustrated environment filled with dozens of items, some obvious and others carefully blended into the background. You receive a list of objects to locate—sometimes presented through silhouettes or word clues—and must scan the scene to find each one. While the mechanics are simple, Crisp App Studio includes small variations to avoid monotony: occasional spot-the-difference challenges, matching puzzles, or logic-based tasks that gently break up the rhythm. These interludes never drastically alter the experience, but they provide enough variety to keep the process enjoyable across the game’s many settings.
Visually, the game’s greatest strength lies in its artwork. Each destination—from Europe to India, from bustling ports to sandy deserts—is drawn with a style that balances detail and readability. Scenes feel inviting without becoming overwhelmingly cluttered, a delicate equilibrium that many hidden-object games struggle to achieve. The artist’s attention to lighting, color, and thematic elements helps immerse players in the specific flavor of each region, even though the depictions lean toward romanticized illustration rather than realism. Complementing the visuals is a soundtrack that adapts to the cultural theme of each area, adding warmth and helping each new location feel distinct despite the consistent gameplay structure.
For casual players, Around the World in 80 Days: Hidden Objects hits a comfortable sweet spot. There is no time pressure pushing you to rush through scenes, no penalty system designed to punish misclicks aggressively, and no mechanical complexity that demands mastery. It is designed to be approachable, even soothing—a game you can pick up for a few minutes at a time without feeling overwhelmed. This makes it an appealing choice for fans of low-stress puzzle experiences or for those who want a peaceful visual pastime. Its simple controls, modest system requirements, and smooth performance also make it accessible to a wide audience, including players on older hardware.
However, this simplicity comes with limitations. The game’s mechanics do not evolve in meaningful ways, which means that after you have played through several scenes, you have effectively seen everything the gameplay has to offer. There are no gradual difficulty curves, narrative twists, or layered systems that reward long-term engagement. The novelty comes primarily from the artwork rather than any systemic progression. As a result, players seeking depth, challenge, or strategic variety may find the experience repetitive. Once the locations have all been explored and the object lists completed, replay value becomes minimal unless you simply enjoy revisiting the artwork.
The narrative framing, though charming in concept, also feels underutilized. While the characters of Fogg, Passepartout, and Fix appear, they serve more as thematic anchors than participants in a developing plot. The game’s storytelling remains superficial, providing context for travel but no meaningful tension or character development. For those hoping for an interactive adaptation of Verne’s novel, this may be disappointing; for players simply wanting a cozy hidden-object title with a world-travel theme, the light narrative is sufficient.
Ultimately, Around the World in 80 Days: Hidden Objects succeeds on its own terms—as a relaxing, visually rich hidden-object experience that offers a pleasant escape into a series of illustrated environments. It is not a game of complexity or innovation, but one of comfort and gentle exploration. For players who appreciate beautifully drawn scenes, unhurried gameplay, and the simple pleasure of finding small details within a larger whole, it delivers exactly what it promises. Those seeking deeper puzzle mechanics or a more substantial narrative may find it lacking, but for its intended audience, it remains a charming and satisfying journey across the world, one quiet scene at a time.
Rating: 7/10
