Curious Paws: hidden objects

Curious Paws: Hidden Objects is a short and relaxing hidden object puzzle game with the premise of exploring beautiful nature scenes through the eyes of a cat, searching for the little things that would catch a feline’s attention, like a passing bug or a swimming fish. Sadly, the cat itself isn’t actually present in the game outside of one level, where it’s part of the background, and you just have to imagine you are one.

Curious Paws: Hidden Objects follows a similar format to other “find 100” style games, but while the levels in those games are usually monochrome, this time the environments are very colorful and vibrant from the start. There are 6 levels in total, plus a bonus level that unlocks after you complete all of them. Each level tasks you with finding around 40 of three different types of insects or other creatures, alongside a special hidden mouse. The trick here is that these creatures share a color scheme that is very similar to their surroundings, making them tricky to spot, like green frogs hidden on green leaves or teal dragonflies resting on teal flowers.

To add a bit of a challenge, a few bees fly around the screen and loosely track your mouse cursor. If you want to earn all the achievements, you have to complete the levels without clicking on them. As QoL features, there’s a smooth zoom feature that lets you easily get up close to the details or zoom back to see the whole picture. Thankfully, if you ever get stuck, a helpful hint system can point you toward the next creature. However, keep in mind that using hints prevents you from getting that sweet 100% completion.

Even though there is an on-screen timer tracking the time you spend in the level, there is no stressful time limit forcing you to rush. The game is specifically designed to allow you to relax and fully soak in the cozy atmosphere.

Curious Paws: Hidden Objects is very short (around 1h of gameplay), but it has the perfect length for a quick, comforting break. I recommend picking it up if you are looking for a few moments of pure tranquility.