Throughout my childhood I was a big fan of hidden object games, whether it was in the pages of Highlights magazine or books of various kinds like the Where’s Waldo series. Hidden objects moved pretty quickly into the digital space, even pretty early on, and the genre has remained a staple in the mobile market even today. 

The original Hidden Through Time burst onto Switch promising a consistent, and generally cool, hand-drawn art style, and a pretty serious challenge. Deviating from the more typical tendency to cram many objects into a pretty tight space, the focus was on finding relatively small and detail-oriented items in much larger vignettes.

The sequel follows a similar vein but, in my opinion, elevates the challenge further. While you're still tasked with locating small items concealed in expansive environments, additional elements have been introduced to complicate matters. For one, each scene can be toggled between two distinct states, such as summer and winter. Crucially, some items are exclusive to one state or the other, adding complexity. Fortunately, the game clearly indicates the presence of items in each state. Additionally, many items are hidden in various ways, such as being buried beneath mounds of dirt or obscured in other manners. This is where your powers of observation and the provided clues come into play.

While I contend that the clues are often unhelpful, considering the context of the object you're searching for, alongside the clue, and toggling between states will usually provide insights into where to direct your attention. In my opinion, the subtle storytelling woven into each scene stands out as the finest aspect. Noticing how characters or specific details change between states allows you to piece together a narrative of events. It's a minor touch, but one that I genuinely appreciate.

Regarding the game's overall assessment, I find myself in a rather perplexing position. While its appearance and general gameplay style suggest that it could be an ideal choice for children, the unique elements that contribute to its distinctiveness might also make it overly challenging for younger players. On the other hand, if you're a more mature gamer who relishes a challenge and appreciates creative art and design, this game could offer an enjoyable and captivating diversion.