Tips & Tricks

***Note:*** *This wiki is maintained by fans of the game, and is not affiliated with G5 Entertainment. If you are experiencing technical issues with the game itself, please contact customer support.*

This page gives some tips about finding items in locations, handling various modes and anomalies, dealing with monsters, and general gameplay.

## Can't Find the Item?

* Well, pause the game and consult the Hidden City Wiki :)
	+ We now have "item maps" for all locations and information about the current event.
* If the item is not listed in wiki, you are running out of time, or you want to save time, take a screenshot of the scene, find all the items using your screenshot, then switch back to the location.

### Taking a Screenshot

* **On Android** this is usually done by holding together **VOL DOWN + POWER** buttons, then pause the game (should pause automatically when you change the active application). When the game is down/paused, you have infinite amount of time to analyze the screenshot.
* **On PC/Windows**, you can click/press "Print Screen" (or "PrtScrn", "PrtScr", etc., depending on your keyboard) then paste the image into a program such as MS Paint. Another way to take a screenshot on Windows 10 is to press [Windows] + [PrtScrn] to have the screenshot saved into the **Images\Screenshots** folder (you'll see the screen briefly flash black to indicate it's working).
	+ Recent versions of Windows has a "Snip tool" in the notifications menu. The game pauses when you open Snip, so set a delay like 2 seconds. When you click "new" snip, you have that much time to go back and "unpause" the game so the playing field is visible when the snip activates.
	+ You could record yourself scanning the entire screen and then go back and view the video to find those elusive items. Enter Win+G to open the game taskbar then start recording. Stop the recording before you run out of time, so you can review the video.
* **On iPhone**, press the Side Button and the Volume Up button at the same time. Quickly release both buttons. After you take a screenshot, a thumbnail temporarily appears in the lower-left corner of your screen. Tap the thumbnail to open it or swipe left to dismiss it.
	+ Learn more here and here. These are official Apple sites that explain the ways on other ways to take screenshots depending if it's an iPad and/or if you have Face ID activated.

### Analyzing the Screenshot

You can just use any preferred photo editing application to view the screenshot. You will be able to zoom in and the big advantage over in-game zooming is that you can zoom in 2x-3x, maybe more. The game allows only about 50-100% zoom, which could be insufficient, especially on small screens.

* On a PC, you could use Quickpic or MS Paint, but any default preinstalled program will do.
* On a Mac, you could use Paintbrush for Mac (Note: I googled the Apple version of MS Paint so feel free to correct it if it's wrong)
* Players may also choose to use a website instead. There are many websites such as Pixlr which is a simple easy-to-use site where you do not need to download anything onto your PC.

On Windows, you can adjust the brightness of a photo by using "Photos" that comes with Windows. Simply click edit/create after selecting the photo then click "Adjust" and play with the settings under "Light".

## Handling Modes and Anomalies

### Night Mode & Night Anomalies

**Night Mode/Night Terrors/Sinister Shadows/Electrum/Illusions/Icy Patterns**

Night anomalies can be really difficult at times so here are a few ways around that.

* Use the Lighter tool and take a screenshot.
	+ When using a lighter, the scene will only be lit up for about 30 seconds, which should be enough time to take a screenshot.
	+ Open your screenshot and zoom in to find the items.
* Just brighten the screen to the maximum brightness!
	+ On Windows, you can adjust your monitor brightness through Windows settings.

The best thing that you can do is get to know a location and where things might be hidden. It really helps if you have a vague idea of where to look for things.

### Past/Hindsight Mode

In Past Mode, you have to find the differences. This is very challenging for some people, more so when you feel the pressure of a timer.

The best way to do Past mode is to compare sections of the scene, moving slowly so that you examine every section. Try zooming in, then starting in the upper left corner. Scan down the left edge. When you get to the bottom, move over a little bit to the right, and scan up to the top. When you get to the top, move over a little bit to the right again, and scan down to the bottom. Repeat until you are at the far right of the scene. Three or four passes are usually enough. If you are missing items after first passes, scan the opposite direction (scan across the top of the scene, move down slightly, scan again). This usually finds most or all items. If you haven't found everything, consider using a Compass, a Diode Bomb, or a Discoverer's Magnifier.

There are also certain items are ***ALWAYS*** in the same spot in past mode. Examples are the music note on the board of Christmas School, and the butterfly on the plant in the Room of Fate.

### Reflections Mode

This mode is similar to Past Mode in that you have to find the differences, however one half of the picture is mirrored.

The best way to do Reflections mode is to compare sections of the scene, moving slowly so that you examine every section. Try zooming in, and moving all the way to the left side. Scan both edges of the screen (without moving) to catch anything not down the middle line. Then, start scaning along the middle line. Notice if anything is different from one side to the other right along the line. Shift slightly right, and scan along the middle line again. Keep moving slowly, scanning along the middle line as you go, until you are all the way to the right side. This usually finds most or all items. If you haven't found everything, consider using a Compass, a Diode Bomb, or a Discoverer's Magnifier.

### Backwards Mode

Backwards mode is when the letters of the item name are backwards.

* The Deciphering Cube will place the letters in the proper order. It only does the words shown on the list. As new words come up on the list, you'll have to unscramble them.
* If you're out of Deciphering Cubes, take a screenshot and write out the item names backwards. Thus, you'll find out the word. For example, the screen says "driB", write it out backwards and you get "Bird".
* You can keep a small mirror on hand. Read the word from the mirror placed next to list.
* Screenshots in image manipulating freeware programs like Irfanview allow 'horizontal flip' of images. So you can flip them, read the text, and then flip back. Irfanview also allows you to zoom in with CTRL+Mousewheel - and you can drag the screen from left to right with your mouse.

### Silhouettes

Silhouettes mode is where objects are shadows.

* First, find as many silhouettes as you are able to identify.
* When you have a few unknown silhouettes remaining, take a screenshot. Think about what the silhouette *might* possibly be. Think about items you have already seen in the location.
* If you haven't found everything, consider using a Compass, a Diode Bomb, or a Discoverer's Magnifier.
* Sometimes you can determine exactly where a silhouetted item is hidden just by the shadow. This is especially true for the older locations, where the silhouettes were sometimes unique.

### Abracadabra

Abracadabra mode is when the letters of the item name are scrambled up.

* The Deciphering Cube will place the letters in the proper order. It only does the words shown on the list. As new words come up on the list, you'll have to unscramble them.
* Take a screenshot. Then all of the scrambled words can be typed into a website that will then give you suggestions on what the word could be.
	+ https://theunscrambled.com , https://wordunscrambler.me/, https://wordfinder.tips/ and https://unscrambles.net/, https://worldunscrambler.net/ are good ones to use. If you would like to know more about those words, like its meaning, grammar, and usage example you can use this one https://www.vocabularytoday.com/ or https://mobilecheats.edu.pl/
* If you haven't found everything, consider using a Compass, a Diode Bomb, or a Discoverer's Magnifier.

### Similar Items Mode

Similar Items is all about matching pairs of items.

* Match as many items as possible.
* Use a Compass if you have more than 2 pairs of items still to find.
* Use a Diode Bomb if you have exactly 2 pairs of items still to find.
* Use a Discoverer's Magnifier if you have only 1 pair of items still to find.

### Distortions Anomaly

In Distortions Anomaly, items on the list lose letters every three seconds.

* Quickly memorize (short term memory) the 5 items on the list before they lose letters. Find them in the scene before clicking any, click all of the items quickly, and then memorize the next five.
* Memorize the first four items (or take a screenshot). Start finding items from the bottom of list. This fills in one item at a time. Start looking for that item before it loses letters. Once found, a new item pops up with all letters. Once no more items are being added to the list, find the four original items.
* The Deciphering Cube will fill in all the letters. However, it only makes the words whole for about three seconds until they start losing letters again!
* If you don't have a cube, then go to the Wiki and look through the list of hidden items, might be able to figure it out that way.
* If you haven't found everything, consider using a Compass, a Diode Bomb, or a Discoverer's Magnifier.

### Invisible Ink

Invisible Ink mode is the opposite of the Distortions anomaly; instead of losing letters every three seconds, you gain letters every three seconds.

* For event locations, take a moment to find all the secret items in scene as during that time more letters will be filled in.
* The Deciphering Cube will fill in all the letters. (And, unlike Distortions, you will not lose any letters after using it.)
* If you don't have a cube, then go to the Wiki and look through the list of hidden items, might be able to figure it out that way.
* If you haven't found everything, consider using a Compass, a Diode Bomb, or a Discoverer's Magnifier.

### Mystical Rounds

Mystical Rounds mode gives you 4 different types of searches.

* Take a screenshot and take your time finding the times.
* Consult the wiki, we have item maps for Multi-Silhouette mode. In Category mode, we have a list of items that can be found under that category.
* Tools such as the Compass and the Diode Bomb work really well for finding the items quickly.

### Poltergeist Anomaly

In Poltergeist Anomaly, the screen is flipped upside down.

* PC Players:
	+ Ctrl + Alt + Up arrow – rotates to landscape mode
	+ Ctrl + Alt + Down arrow – rotates the screen upside down
	+ Ctrl + Alt + Right arrow – rotates the screen 90 degrees (right)
	+ Ctrl + Alt + Left arrow – rotates the screen 90 degrees (left)
	+ How to rotate your screen in Windows 10 [1]
* Mobile Users:
	+ Change display settings to auto rotate or landscape mode.
	+ Turning the device upside works too.

## Monsters

To get the most from fighting monsters, do not fight monsters unless you have a quest to do. This way you can stock up on weapons. This will allow you to complete monster quests more easily when you do have them.

The Caduceus boost gives a 50% greater chance of items being dropped from monsters and it also lasts for 24 hours. This will get you through the monster quests faster, especially for the monsters that require a higher number of weapons to fight them.

During events, save up the weapons you earn and then near the end of the event use a boost that increases drops from monsters and then fight all of the event monsters at once while the boost lasts. The Werewolf and Wanderer event monsters drop the same items as the non-event Werewolf and Wanderer so if you have quests for them, fighting the event versions will help you complete the quests.

Even without a boost you will get some additional benefit by getting keys to open on the map treasuries.

There are summoners for monsters available to buy with coins. If a monster you have quests for is not on the map, you can buy a summoner to get them to appear in your City.

## Tips For Game Playing

* Complete your profile and make sure you add an email so your game will be backed up and you won't lose any progress you've made. This also gives you rubies.
* Click on the "Post to Facebook" tab whenever you've completed a quest or levelled up. This gives you 10 extra experience points. If you don't want it showing up in your feed, just select the "only me" option on the post. For players who haven't completed the quests that give them rubies (some of the first quests around level 5) they will get 5 rubies instead.
* When feeling stuck, take a screenshot! It gives you the freedom of taking your time.
* Completing Collections and Quests are a good way to earn tools and experience.
* If an event quest during an event asks you to search in an anomaly, see if there is a collection for a summoner available or if there's any in your inventory. If you have a summoner then click "use" and then when it's floating on the map quickly click the event location and the anomaly should show up.
* Make some in-game friends! See Friends. This page has tips, and an "add me" list at the bottom of the page.
* Make use of your Wish List; your friends will send you assemblers. See Gifting
* If you visit your friends, you will gain experience points and coins. See Visiting
* During the certain events some Good Monsters have appeared! They give out event entry keys, energy, coins, and other goodies.
* You can get achievements on the mobile version of the game, on Android, you must install Google Play Games from the PlayStore (if it's not already pre-loaded on your phone).
* Items for assembling collections can be found in scenes and mini-games. You can also get them from monsters or by asking friends.
* You can dispel most Anomalies by completing a certain collection to get the item you need to dispel it.
	+ For example, if you don't have any Sonic Cannons in your inventory you can complete the Sound of Bells collection to collect the Sonic Cannon.
* During events, if you have found most of your items and know exactly where the other/s are while only having a minute or two left on the clock, spend that time searching for the secret items (Keys, Tokens, Bunnies). Make sure to keep an eye on the clock so it doesn't run out on you while searching for the items.
* To earn five stars in an event, you will need to complete **ALL** the event goals. The current event's page will list these or you can look within your own game.
* Too many wrong clicks will deduct 5 seconds from the timer.
* Assemble collections strategically. Many of the same assemblers are used in different collections.
	+ A suggested order to prioritize assembly of collections:
		1. Main quests for the current event.
		2. Post event case collections for the event location (this helps you earn Master faster)
		3. Quests from your diary (aka casebook).
		4. Other quests, including the side quests for the current event.
		5. Collections that will give you something you want - energy, a tool, etc.
* You can assemble a collection before assembling the set comes up as a quest. The game will credit it as already assembled and not make you assemble it again.
	+ However, it will ask you to find each separate item again and getting the item from a friend doesn't count as you need to search the location to find the item in order to complete your quest.
* Best way to get the assemblers you really want is to have it be the only assembler on your wishlist and leave it for a few days or until you're happy with the amount you have.
* If you have to find a quest item in a specific location in a specific mode (such as past mode), and you are in the desired mode, consider checking to see if you have the quest item just before you finish the puzzle If the item hasn't shown up, you may want to fail that search (or exit the game and reload, it has the same effect) so you will get the same mode the next time. This also depends on whether or not the item is available immediately.
* Word, Silhouette, Past and Reflection mode are not anomalies and therefore cannot be summoned, they eventually show up after so many searches.
* If nearing the end of a search and if low on time, perhaps 3 hidden items to find, look at whether you have the quest item (in the list at the top of the screen). If the item has been found, you may wish to use a compass or bomb to finish the search. You may also wish to take a screenshot to save some tools if low on time and find the remaining items that way.
* If having trouble getting a specific collection item to drop, a boost that says 50% (or higher) increase for collection items will help.
* All locations on the wiki have "item maps". Item maps are photos that have all of one hidden item from the location in a photo, it shows all the recorded locations where the item can be found.
* If a mini event requires visiting friends and clicking their locations, click their city locations. If anything else is clicked on then it does not count towards the goal.
* If you have high energy quests then use the mini events to earn 30 minutes free energy and play those locations with a 50% or higher Collection Items boost.
* Read boosts carefully, the wording can be tricky. If you're uncertain about something leave a comment on the wiki for people to help you understand it better.
* "Recent activity" and "Interaction with me" are two good sorting tools in the friends list to remove inactive players.

## Related Pages

* Home Page
* Hidden City Info
* Anomalies, Summoners and Dispellers
* Collections
* Diary of Investigations
* Editing Guidelines
* Events
* Event Entry Items
* Locations
* Upper City

***Note:*** *This wiki is maintained by fans of the game, and is not affiliated with G5 Entertainment. If you are experiencing technical issues with the game itself, please contact customer support.*