Seekers Notes: Hidden Objects Reviews

I downloaded Seekers Notes about a year ago for something new to play while being cooped up at home during the height of the pandemic. I immediately became addicted. Over time, features have changed as the developers I’m sure are finding new and interesting ways to keep the game fresh and new for those who have been playing for a long time. I never spend any money on the game and I will say that the constant advertisements that pop up about the deals being offered that day are annoying. I will log on to collect my prizes for the day and I have to wait until all the ads are done popping up. Additionally, you used to have the option to watch and ad to gain double rewards, to avoid using access passes, etc, however, now after completing certain levels, those ads are playing without your consent and you do not gain any rewards from watching other than time taken away from your game.

With that being said, the customer service team for the game is amazing! As with all apps, the game can be glitchy. When I reach out because something isn’t working, I get a response and a resolution within a very reasonable period of time. To me, that makes all the difference. I also suggested something with regards to the way a certain feature worked after new updates of the game come out and whether it was just me or others complained also, my feedback was taken into account and the issue resolved with this latest update! That really made me feel like I had a voice!

I love this game! The graphics are beautiful and there are so many cute little details about the game that make it enjoyable. I love playing it often. However, I feel that you can only reap the true benefits from the game if your constantly paying money. For example, I always liked how on the ticket festival event you could earn 1 avatar without having to pay the money. Now you can only achieve this is you pay for the road of achievement. The option that doesn’t require money has boring rewards that I could mostly get without playing the event at all, like coins or fixers instead of all the good stuff that the road of achieve the offers. There are countless examples of instances like this It’s putting a real damper on the game because the developers put so much effort into the game but you have to pay for it. The difference between handing out cash to SeekersNotes and not paying for anything is clearly seen every time SeekersNotes updates or there is an event. Although one could argue that it’s just a couple of bucks, COVID had been tight of many people’s wallets. There’s so many reminders popping up while you play to “buy this” or “get that” that I’m constantly clicking x or saying no to the game. It’s honestly gotten a little annoying. I’m fine with marketing as much as the next person, but seekers notes has gone a little overboard. The game is still good though and I love it, I just wish that it’s quality /reward system would be better without having to pay.

That being said I have been playing this game twice a day for about 16 months now so that should tell that I like it. I play for free. As long as you have patience and can accept that you are unlikely to Win the avatar prizes and rarely win the desk decoration prizes you can play for free. I can’t say I would never spend a little money in a game, I just can’t afford to do it often or on repetitive there and gone type things. Which is pretty much what they sell.
I do have a few frustration in the game however, and they are increasing. The rising energy usage as each location levels up means I’m less and less likely to win event prizes. Not getting to the end of the event means I don’t get to know the end of that little story, which I actually find more annoying than not winning the prize. The contests solely in treasure box and lantern locations I pretty much can’t even take part in anymore because, as usual, doing well was rewarded with increased difficulty until I can no longer pass the levels at all except by a fluke so as I want to play the monthly events I don’t want to waste my game energy in futile attempts in the treasure box and lantern.
I generally assume that most of these things I am finding frustrating are designed to be there to part me from my money and I also generally assume that as a free player the fact that I am getting discouraged will be of little consequence. I guess I’m just cynical like that.

I’ve been playing this game on and off for several years and do appreciate the beautiful graphics and scenes and enjoy being a part of a Guild. HOWEVER, as others have mentioned, it is VERY expensive to play and any prizes you earn for playing their mini events or even the Guild challenges are measly & cheap. Often in a guild challenge, the prizes include 1 arrow, a small energy boost & other similar tokens. Their mini events often taken multiple tools to complete (timer, arrows) & the prize isn’t worth the effort. In the beginning, I was able to finish the events and earn the theme avatar by spending a small amount of $ for the event passes. In the past year, the game has changed to make it almost impossible to finish the events without spending $$$. The special items required to turn in the event collections are rigged to not drop often, so it requires many more plays to earn, which in turn requires more event passes/tickets to play, which of course cost $$. Or, you can spend hours playing other scenes to earn passes to play the event. The developers have also increased the number of anomalies that appear in scenes, which of course require special objects to dispel, which in turn are hard to accumulate and cost a ridiculous amount in their store. I don’t mind spending a reasonable amount on a game as entertainment, but this game along with others (Hidden City), sadly seem to be raising the cost with each update.

I almost never write reviews, but I play this game enough (almost obsessively) that I’d like to finish the “review quest” lol. I’ve basically tried all the other free HOG’s - and deleted all of them the same day. I really like the “classic” game play of Seekers Notes (don’t have to build a house, or search room by room to put one item together, etc). The graphics are nice (not too dark or too light), it’s engaging and challenging, has other mini games, each scene adds more items as you level up (so replaying a scene isn’t boring), and I don’t have to spend money to be able to actually enjoy playing. I have spent money a few times, but only when a special offer for something I really need comes up and the prices are reasonable. It’s fairly easy to level up, which opens up more scenes and mini games - with plenty still on the map. Energy seems to run out quicker as you level up, but I end up getting a lot of prizes that give me extra energy, plus rubies, game tools, collection fixers, and many other useful items. The story line is also a really nice touch, it keeps the game from becoming monotonous. The ONLY thing I don’t like is that some of the mini games get pretty difficult. Other than that, I can’t find anything bad about this game. If you’re thinking about it, just try it out - it’s free to download, so you really have nothing to lose.

The art is beautiful and the story lines are fun. The puzzles can be frustrating at times but satisfying when you solve them. What I don’t like is the impossible, greedy algorithms used to prevent you from getting the tickets needed to play ONE puzzle needed to get an item for a story line no matter how many times you play the other puzzles. The creators seem to forget, in their greed to get people to buy packs, which btw costs more than reported in the Apple store, that players need to get pleasure and satisfaction when playing in order for the players to keep playing. If the pleasure and satisfaction are few and far between then players will loose interest and move on to other games. And there are thousands and millions of game apps to choose from. So creators, take the advice and improve the algorithm or I will keep my money, delete SeekersNotes and look at the thousands of other games I can choose.

There are also way too many ads. It's bad enough that pack offers are constantly popping up, but there are equally as many, if not more, ads for other things that pop up. You have to wait 30 seconds before you can return to the game which is a long time when all you want to do is play the game. The ads were 5-10 seconds then you could return to the game but now it's 30 seconds which feels like an eternity.

I would’ve liked to talk to tech support, or the developers themselves, to give a little feedback, but can’t find a way to do it, other than writing a review. It’s a fun game, hidden pictures, jewel matching, picture puzzles, it’s got a good variety, and the story line is fun, I just have a few items of frustration to talk about. Firstly, the energy usage is ridiculous, you can only do about 3 searches and then wait for more energy, or see if you have objects to banish monsters with and earn a little bit more that way. Second, when trying to use the magnifying glass assist, the slow, sparkly magic takes up precious time. Thirdly, sometimes you can tap on one object and then immediately tap on another, but other times it won’t acknowledge your second tap until several precious seconds later. Fourth, it won’t let you get the thing you’re trying to earn, such as a policeman’s whistle, or a firework, or a locket, on the first successful search unless it is with an anomaly that goes away once you successfully find everything. Nor on the second search, nor on the third, it uses up the energy you have on getting basic items that don’t move the story along, then eventually gives you the item and the story moves forward. That’s irritating to say the least. As I said, it’s a fun game that, for the most part, I enjoy playing, if only they would correct those few irritants.

I originally down loaded it because I’ve always loved hidden pictures. This is that and so much more! The more I learn and understand the more I enjoy it. It is becoming an all time favorite. I love games you can play to earn the things you need. This appears to be one of those games if your willing to wait. It is too pricey for me to indulge in buying things to speed it up. However, At times I might be willing to if it were cheaper. A dollar here or there adds up quickly and they would probably make more in the long run...from those like myself who can’t afford to pay their prices. I would have to quit if I were to get stuck... being unable to play shorter runs daily and acquire all I need to play.
It would be nice to have had an introduction explaining a bit more about the game at the start. I almost stopped because I found it to be a bit confusing and I could tell there is a lot to it. If your like me...just hang in there! By clicking on items you need the game instructs you how they can be obtained. It is wildly worth the effort.
I love that they add hidden objects, which are actually there for quite some time before they ever put them into play, as you reach higher levels. I also love the storyline and the many other elements to the game besides just hidden pictures! It is truly an enter active game and not hidden pictures!

I love that this game has more than just the seek and find levels, it’s got the matching cards and the jewel games. Well, that’s what I’ve found out so far; there is likely to be more. My biggest complaint with EVERY SINGLE GAME JUST LIKE THIS ONE! Is that you have to pay money to increase certain things if you want more, right away. What I wish we could do is use the coins we earn in the game to purchase different items, INSTEAD of our own money. So far, I’ve earned all of these coins in several of these seek and find quest games and in all of them I have to buy the red gems to be able to earn items I need, even though I’ve got all these coins I can’t purchase anything with. Seems very unfair and despite how much I really like these games I’m probably going to end up deleting them and stop playing them, because I can’t afford to pay so much money to play a game.

Why can’t they just make games that are free, be totally free. If I wanted to pay, make me pay up front, then make everything inside the game be free because I already paid or at least I’d know, that this’s is a game that’s going to likely cost me more money.

Aside from that, the graphics and the game itself is really a ton of fun and I truly enjoy it. But the rest of that I do not. So I’m not sure how long I’ll last will until I quit playing.

This is a really great game & many levels of play within each level. There’s lots of things to do, especially with continuous events going on! I love this game but haven’t been able to make any progress in the last couple months. I wish there were more options when it came to the puzzle games. All the puzzle games are fun except the treasure box. I hate this game & the majority of quest items from puzzles are for this one. I’ve made purchases but some of them are too pricey even with the sales. It’s especially frustrating when I have to play upwards of 10 times before getting what I need. And that’s not exaggerating, it’s happened more than once. Usually because when there’s an event, those items take precedence over any quest items needed. Doubly frustrating. Lately events happen back to back which adds additional gameplay but I can’t get what I need. Even if you would be able to craft flying time or a similar buff would be helpful. Buying the tools is too expensive. The only other gripe I have is energy. It doesn’t regenerate fast enough & it takes multiple tries sometimes to get items needed. At times I’ve had the same quests for over a week because I’ve had to wait to regenerate energy or use tools. Ridiculous. I love this game but I’m ready to pass. I understand you want to make money, but I’m not gonna drop $50-$100 every month just to make this game enjoyable.

I started off loving this game and now I am going to delete, here is why, starts out fun and easy till you learn what it’s all about, then more fun - gives you a challenge- but then you have to find things that morph with butterfly’s twittering around distracting your eyes then you lose precious energy for nothing, earning nothing, do not play this game for relaxing, it makes your anxiety sky high and for me makes me feel like I’m stupid because I’ve played the scene numerous times..... but how many times they have changed where things are at and then on top of that they add more, hide things so small behind bigger things and hey guess what.... no more time on the clock which makes you keep looking at the clock while trying to find all the new stuff and don’t forget the screens where you have to find their “look a likes” have to look at so many different things to find their match in time and you always get down to the last one that you just can’t find then the oh so great “you lose” p.s still looking for free, relaxing- as advertised on free games for iPad how come you have to put money into a free game seeing as how you still get paid for the game with all the free ads we have to watch, just curious, scenes are absolutely gorgeous and I dig the plot,I don’t like playing monotonous games but I’m not going to put money into a game before my child, I’m not that kind of mother

Love the game, very fun! However, certain things become nearly impossible as your level gets higher. I’m at Detective level with the Haunted Lights puzzle and can’t solve it anymore, or even come close. Are there any tools you can offer or earn within the game to help solve it when you have a particularly challenging puzzle?

Some locations with access requirements take a VERY long time to acquire enough access tokens because the tokens are not awarded very often. For instance, I haven’t entered the Clothing Store in ages because the game is really stingy with awarding golden threads. This is particularly frustrating when I finally get enough access tokens, successfully find all the objects in the location, and STILL am not awarded whatever collection item I need because of the “roll the dice” icon. So I have to start over. “Roll the dice” icons should only be applied to locations that don’t have access requirements.

I dislike exploring some of the newer locations I’ve unlocked, such as the Mine, because they require so much energy to explore that it’s hard to familiarize myself with them and get better at finding the objects within them. It would be nice if newly-unlocked locations had lower energy consumption for at least the first couple of expertise levels, like Novice and Amateur.

This game is like looking at artwork. The scenes are stunning and even more impressive is that the devs update the game seasonally - Christmas, Halloween, Cherry Blossom are a few examples when the entire setting updates and it's gorgeous. And they give players hugely generous awards for updating the game which is to our benefit in any case! The mini events, guilds, friends, collections - all keep players engaged. It does walk you through how to play with in game characters that you begin to know well. So you feel like you’re in this rich world full of people. For newbies - the in game characters and pop up instructions do help you navigate but then you can poke around and discover other features on your own. For me that’s a plus. The many pop up offers for in game purchases can be a bit much when you boot up but hey it’s free to play so I’m not complaining. The only suggestion I have is to have an option - even if you have to acquire this token in game - to show the picture of the object in the list. Some of these objects are really hard to find and having a preview option - like in criminal case - would be really helpful. GREAT job developers - you have created an amazing and stunning world.

All things considered, I like the game. Rubies are needed to purchase game helpers. The game does grant rubies for collections and level advancements, but not enough to keep you in magnifying glasses or blow up potion. You can also purchase rubies for real cash, but I think they are vastly over priced. If they offered 100 rubies for $1, I would do it every time. There are constant "deals" being offered, still too expensive for me. So I have lost several locations because I don't find everything within the time frame. That is annoying when you have to collect tickets or coins or whatever to even enter some of the locations. Just searching for items gets boring, but they have thrown in some fun mini games that I enjoy more than the hidden object scenes. Sometimes the things you search for at a location are completely different than what is normally found there, and that bugs me. I like it when they change the look of an item--like it is a man's hat one time and a woman's hat the next--but not looking for so many totally new things at a location. But if you are just a casual player and not in any real hurry, it is a great game. PS--how about adding tools to the list of things you can sentd friends, but don't reduce our inventory.😀

It is a great game at first, don’t get me wrong. However, as you progress, the game gets to the point that they want an excessive amount of money to complete challenges. While you can play the game without the challenges, being a competitor by nature, I would like to accomplish the goals. You will not do so under $100 and half your life spent on this game.

The plus side is that if you eventually give up hopes of achieving what they want you, you can still play on. Again, then as your rank increases, so does the energy to enter a room. It takes about 5 times to play a room before you get the right anomaly, and then at my rank (57), it takes half my energy for the entire day to play that room. For example, took me 5 times at a room using 61 energy points, got the gargoyle anomaly and to play it is 140. My max energy is 305.

Plus, it takes about 25,000 room event items to move from detective to Virtuoso, because you only move up by 1% each time played. That does not include all the games played to get to detective rating. Also, you have to play 4-5 side rooms to get enough “tokens” to enter the room. Therefore, you must spend a lot of money (as they don’t offer great savings) and/or your entire real life to this game. If you are looking to just have fun searching for items, great game! If you want to complete challenges, the developers are greedy and it is hard to do after the very early levels.

This is my first review ever. There are a lot of things I really like about this game, and others I’m still trying to learn. However a HUGE downside to me is the energy. It’s takes sooooo long for it to build up and then within a few minutes it’s back down again because the challenges drain it too quickly. You can wait all day long for full energy and play through all of it in just a few minutes. I understand trying to make money from a game, but sometimes it’s ridiculous. Please make it where the time for the energy to come back is at least cut in half, if not a minute per unit. AND I think as you level up, the locations that start out with a ridiculous amount of energy (70+) should start going down with more experience than up like it does now.
The coins seem to be ignored for the most part. Make it where you can use those instead of always having to buy rubies (which I won’t buy). I don’t mind having to spend time in the game building up coins to buy inventory, but I don’t like rubies being the only option.
Right now I still like this game. However I see that changing as I continue to level up if the energy issue stays the same and if it becomes absolutely necessary to spend real money to move forward. I don’t like continuous charging, I prefer a premium option and then stop there.

I have said most everything before but the progression of this game is not done in a way the player receives the benefit. It was fun and worth the effort for the first 10-12 months then it has been a gradual decline ever since. I have been playing almost as long as the game has been available... ~4&½ years. The guilds are useless for the most part. The expense to get just one aid has quadrupled, the changes made in locations already established is ‘pretty’ but not at all helpful . I have spent lots of $$$ on this game and as long as I felt the return was fair I didn’t mind ... I know everyone has to make a living but... this is ridiculous. I am still waiting for the current update 2 days after released to many players. It is unfair and puts you at a disadvantage in multiple ways. I would rather have a longer period of play on a new location than to have a new location drop and not be able to play for days. iOS platform is not new... however whomever is responsible for getting it to the players apparently are. It really is sad when a game is more concerned with making locations on the board pretty instead of spending that time figuring out how to release an update so it is fair to all players!
Not sure I am going to be playing much longer... maybe just give away my collection items and use up what I have acquired. 4&½ years and I know I am but one of many who feel the same way.

I really love the game play. It’s colorful, creative, engaging, challenging, and you get a lot of bonus items to help you. I don’t mind pop ups in games, in fact I regularly make in-app purchases in many games, but I never make in app purchases in this game because the sheer volume of pop ups I get is beyond obnoxious. You will, quite literally, have to tap through at least 8 pop ups when you open SeekersNotes , followed by 1-2 pop ups about every 2-3 rounds you play. And the way these pop ups are presented are deceptive so that you think you’re tapping “no” but actually tap yes. Or they are presented as gifts rather than something for sale. It’s a low and sleazy way to make money. I spend at least $10 (and as much as $60 one time) a month in Gardenscapes and the only pop ups for purchasable items I get are maybe once or twice a week when there’s a new promotion or event. Same goes for Choices, Homescapes, Design Home and Covet. All games I spend money in... and none inundate me with constant ploys to make a purchase. To the developers... you don’t need to be used car salesmen to be successful. Take a cue from other successful apps and try being less obnoxious and more ethical.

The game is fun and addictive. The different locations and types of game make this a one stop shop when it comes to the various games out there. Different hidden object modes, including morphs, collections, match 3, and more made me stop playing all my other games. However, I have noticed that playing the match 3 style areas the games makes it so there is no way for you to meet the goal. For example, you need to collect 30 red and 30 blue objects in 2 mins. The game will only drop two or three blue and red objects out of approximately 50 objects. This is unfair and has made me avoid those quests. Now all my quests require that I complete theses before I can move on and has made the game less fun and unplayable unless I spend an enormous amount of real money. The prices to purchase the in-games currency is outrageous. I normally do makes purchases in games like these but when this games is obviously trying to make money more than keeping me entertained I won’t spend. Plus they keep throwing up all these “Specials” or “Sales” in my face in between rounds. It’s just as bad as having third party ads disrupting your gameplay. I’ll play for a little longer, but if they don’t change their business practices and values then I will be forced to uninstall.

I have been playing this game for several years since my daughter introduced it to me. Since I started, the game has changed a lot for the better. The graphics (pictures) and much more clear and items look much more like the real thing. I have played the event games faithfully and have never been able to complete a single one. I have made repeated purchases...still without success. I am writing this during a very difficult time for our country and world at large. One where we are all staying home and playing more games. This developer has given us the gift of hours of free play time daily. Thank you for that!! However, the other day I was informed by game pop-up that they had replaced the magnifying glass tool with a magic arrow tool... at 4 times the cost in rubies. 😡As previously stated, I have made plenty of purchases over the years I have played. The magnifying tool worked great. You got 10 for 7 rubies. Now it will cost me 28 rubies for 10 arrows or 4 rubies for 1. Changes like this may cause people to stop playing, especially now when times are turbulent and money is tight for so many. Developers.....TIMING IS EVERYTHING!! I may stop playing myself....