Review Date: March 8, 2010
Developer: SpinTop Games
Publisher: PopCap Games
Price: $19.95
Platform: Windows
Genre: Hidden Object
In Hidden Identity: Chicago Blackout it's not the Windy City that's blacked out, but the unnamed main character. After waking up with no idea of either who or where he is the protagonist sets off in search of clues to help him piece together his past. This, of course, means finding lots of objects. The game adds a few new twists to the hidden object game formula, but for the most part fans of the genre won't experience much in the way of surprises.
Finding Your Memories
The set-up is fairly standard: you'll travel to a number of different locations, from back alleys to shady hotels, and you're given a list of objects to find in each. The twist is, the game doesn't always tell you exactly what it is you're looking for. Instead, it often gives hints to suggest what it is you need to find. For example, instead of being told to look for a mirror, the game simply tells you to "look at yourself." This adds an extra layer of challenge to the game, since you not only have to find the object, but figure out what exactly it is you're looking for. The change is small but very refreshing, though it can also lead to some frustration, as the descriptions aren't always clear. But the game also is very forgiving in these sections: the hint system recharges very quickly and though each stage is timed, you're given you more than enough time to complete them.
Occasionally you'll also have to move objects around instead of simply collecting them. Sometimes this will involve patching up a quilt, while other times you'll have to find a piece of pipe to repair a damaged drain. These problems are all fairly simple, but they do a good job of adding some variety to the experience. As do the mini-games, which pop up every so often. These will have you doing everything from reassembling torn up maps and notes to playing a casino-themed match-three puzzle game. Aside from one notable exception, which involves catching glimpses of a character during a lightning storm, these mini-games are also pretty easy to complete.
A Mysterious Story
After completing each mini-game the game provides brief snippets of story, as the main character continues to remember just who he is. Each stage also features a pair of post-it notes for you to find, which help further flesh out the mystery. Some of these contain interesting new memories, while others simply comment on the scenery. The game is delightfully self-aware, as the main character will ask questions about why there's a pretzel on a ceiling fan or how unsafe a cluttered fire escape looks. Since these types of things are commonplace in HOGs, it's nice to see a game that actually recognizes how strange they really are.
Finding objects in the game isn't too hard thanks to Hidden Identity's clean and clear visual style. It uses the "cram as much stuff into a scene as possible" mentality, but the art style makes it so that, if you look carefully, you'll be able to find most objects without having to resort to using the hint system. There are a few exceptions though, as sometimes objects will be partially obscured by the edges of the screen making them difficult to point out. The game also has an annoying habit of placing nearly identically colored objects on top of one another.
The Bottom Line
But, aside from a few frustrations, Hidden Identity is a very laid back, casual experience. You're never really under pressure in spite of the timer and the difficulty level is very low. The game is also very short, and can be beat in under two hours fairly easily, which makes the $20 asking price fairly steep. But if you're willing to fork out the cash, you'll find a very polished and relaxed HOG experience, albeit one that is very straightforward.