Runes vs Hidden Objects
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Runes
Uncover the secrets of a mysterious town by searching intricately illustrated scenes for hidden objects and solving puzzles. Follow a detective through a captivating storyline with unique challenges and unlock magical artifacts as you progress. Play at your own pace with optional hints.
- Search hand-painted scenes for hidden objects
- Spot subtle differences
- Solve puzzles and brain teasers
- Follow a twisting storyline
- Collect magical artifacts
- Play at your own pace with hints
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Something strange is happening in Enchanted Crossroads. Doors that weren't there yesterday. Whispers in empty rooms. A rune etched into a mirror that no one remembers hanging. When Detective Greystone calls for your help, it becomes clear — this charming little town is hiding more than it shows. Search hand-painted scenes for hidden objects, spot subtle differences, and solve puzzles that guard the town's oldest secrets. Each clue you find pulls you deeper into a mystery woven through 15+ beautifully illustrated chapters. But the closer you look, the more questions arise. Who — or what — is watching from the crossroads? WHAT AWAITS YOU A Mystery Worth Solving Follow Detective Greystone through a twisting storyline filled with enchanted characters, buried secrets, and revelations you won't see coming. A World Rich in Detail Wander through 15+ stunning hand-crafted scenes — from moonlit gardens to forgotten libraries — each hiding objects, differences, and surprises. Puzzles That Reward Curiosity Hidden object searches, spot-the-difference challenges, and clever brain teasers — 4+ unique puzzle types keep every chapter fresh. Your Collection Grows Complete quests to unlock rare magical artifacts and build a personal trove of enchanted items. Play at Your Own Pace No timers. No pressure. Helpful hints are always within reach whenever you need a gentle nudge. Optional in-app purchases are available, but you can complete the full story without spending anything. The crossroads are calling. Will you answer?
Hidden Objects
Engage in a detective adventure set during Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Solve hidden object puzzles, brain teasers, and murder mysteries to uncover secrets and influence the outcome of a magical and human realm conflict. Play for free with optional in-app purchases.
- Hidden object hunts
- Murder mystery challenges
- Puzzles and brain teasers
- Choice-driven narrative
- Crime investigation
- Casual gameplay
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Dive into the enthralling world of "Magic City Detective: The Carnival Begins," a free-to-play game that combines the allure of detective challenges, hidden object hunts, and mysterious puzzles into one captivating adventure set against the vibrant backdrop of New Orleans during Mardi Gras. Enjoy murder mystery games challenges that will test your abilities to find hidden objects, solve puzzles, brain teasers and mystical riddles lurking behind New Orleans’ festive facade! New Orleans is trembling! The city is decked out in holiday colors as Mardi Gras festivities are in full swing! Talented half-blood wizard Elizabeth is ready to lend a helping hand, but are her intentions really so pure? Meanwhile, the world of Men and Others is frozen in anticipation.... Something big is coming, something that could turn everything upside down! And you, Magical Detective, are at the center of all these events! After all, no murderer can resist you and no evil spirit can hide! But be careful... Even you can feel the pull of temptation... And what if it's already crawled deep into your heart?! Hidden Objects Games: Immerse yourself in levels meticulously designed for hidden object enthusiasts. Each location will challenge your observational skills and contributes to your overall crime-solving journey! Authentic Crime City Atmosphere: Experience the dual vibes of celebration and secrecy. Navigate through a city buzzing with Mardi Gras festivities meshed with dark, mysterious undertones! Puzzles and Brain Teasers: Beyond finding objects, test your intellect with a variety of puzzles and brain teasers that are seamlessly woven into the gameplay, enhancing the crime investigation experience! Decide the Fate: Your choices and detective abilities will shape the outcome of the mystery games f2p adventure. Can you handle the responsibility of maintaining the balance between the magical and human realms? Casual Games for All Skill Levels: Whether you are a veteran of detective games or new to the genre, "Magic City Detective" offers a balanced gameplay experience that caters to all levels of players! Play for Free: Experience the full thrill of being a detective with no cost. Solve puzzles, search and find games and brain teasers without any initial investment! Join the f2p adventure and unleash your detective skills in "Magic City Detective: The Carnival Begins." Play now and make your mark on the magical history of Mardi Gras! ----- Questions? Email us at support@dominigames.com Find other games on our official website: https://dominigames.com/ Become our fan on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dominigames Check out our Instagram and stay tuned: https://www.instagram.com/dominigames
Screenshots
Verdict
Runes and Hidden Objects both sit at 4.5 stars, but that hides the real split: 83% of Runes's written reviews are positive against 33% of Hidden Objects's. Runes also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 7 months) and ratings volume (576 vs 155). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Runes sells 7 one-off in-app purchases and Hidden Objects sells 24 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Hidden Objects holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 576 and 155 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 83% of Runes's written reviews are positive against 33% of Hidden Objects's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Runes ships an update every 6 weeks, Hidden Objects every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Runes | Hidden Objects |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (576 ratings) | 4.7 (155 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 83.3% of reviews — better | 33.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 576 — better | 155 |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks — better | Every 7 months |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.4 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 186 MB | 1.3 GB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 9+ |
| Developer | Crisp App Studio | DO GAMES LIMITED |
Customer experience
Runes
Hidden Objects
Bugs and requests
Runes
Reported bugs
2 issues- Energy recharge issues
- Purchase rejections
Requested features
2 requests- Restart option
- Clearer level progression
Hidden Objects
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Runes
- Instant Hint$0.99
- Handful of Gems$0.99
- Bag with Gems$1.99
Show 4 moreShow fewer
- Infinity Energy + No Ads$2.99
- Сhest with Gems$2.99
- Master Pack Special$3.99
- Master Pack: All-included$7.99
Hidden Objects
- Buy 10 Coins!$1.99
- 75 Coins$2.99
- 30 Coins$3.99
Show 21 moreShow fewer
- 5 Gems$3.99
- 125 Coins$4.99
- 30 Coins$4.99
- Your Special Offer$4.99
- Special Offer$4.99
- 10 Gems$5.99
- 200 Coins$6.99
- 10 Gems$6.99
- 15 Gems$6.99
- 100 Coins$7.99
- 20 Gems$7.99
- Endless Gems for 1 Game$8.99
- 30 Gems$8.99
- Endless Coins for 1 Game$8.99
- Endless Coins+Gems for 1 Game$11.99
- 500 Coins$12.99
- Big bundle 1$12.99
- Unlock$14.99
- 100 Coins$14.99
- Big bundle 2$18.99
- Big bundle 3$27.99
Questions
Is Runes free?
Is Hidden Objects free?
Which has better reviews, Runes or Hidden Objects?
Do Runes or Hidden Objects have ads?
Which is updated more often, Runes or Hidden Objects?
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