There are tools available to use when playing Hidden Object games - such as Precise Arrow; Lightning in a Bottle; Magic Lantern; and Flying Time. Each tool's function remains the same for every Hidden Object Location in every available game mode.
Two of the Tools, the Precise Arrow and Flying Time Tools, can also be used in Puzzle games. The function of these Tools in Puzzles varies between the Puzzles and Puzzle modes.
Tools can be won by winning some Hidden Object Games. Tools can also be won as a reward for combining certain Collections, and for completing certain Achievements. If you are stuck, tools can be bought in the Store using Rubies.
Types of Tools[]
- Magic Lantern
- Precise Arrow replaced the Eyeglass
- Lightning in a Bottle
- Flying Time
- Glove
- Double Rocket
- Star Wand
Some tools, such as the Magic Lantern can only be used in certain Hidden Object Modes. Other tools, such as the Precise Arrow, may have different functions in Puzzle games than in Hidden Object games.
Tools can be won by winning some Hidden Object Games. Tools can also be won as a reward for combining certain Collections, and for completing certain Achievements. If you are stuck, tools can be bought in the Store using Rubies.
Tools during Location Investigations[]
Precise Arrow[]
In all Hidden Object game Modes the Precise Arrow tool will remove a required object.
- History: Changes in Version 1.52.0
- The Eyeglass Tool was replaced with the Precise Arrow Tool on a 1:1 ratio in the player's inventory. Collections that previously rewarded 5 Eyeglasses, now reward just 1 Precise Arrow. Precise Arrows cost 4 Rubies in the Store.
Lightning in a Bottle[]
In all Hidden Object Modes the Lightning in a Bottle tool will remove up to 3 objects from the picture at a time. Up to three random items will fly off the picture at the same time when the Lightning in a Bottle tool is used. You cannot pick which items are removed, they are chosen at random (unless they are the last items left to be found).
If less than 3 items are left to find in the list of objects (e.g. just 2 or 1 left to find) then the remaining items will be removed. To get the most out of Lightning in a Bottle Tools, it is best to use when 3 or more items remain.
In Night Mode the Lightning in a Bottle will remove the objects even if they are in a darkened portion of the picture. The objects will light up revealing their location before flying off the screen, so you can get a sense of where they were hidden even if they are in a darkened portion of the screen.
The Lightning in a Bottle tool will also simultaneously remove 3 pairs if used in Match mode, so it helps to find pairs of items not a single items.
Magic Lantern[]
The Magic Lantern tool can only be used in Night mode. It cannot be used in any other game mode or while playing Hidden Object Locations that have anomalies (i.e. it cannot help remove the black smoke clouds in the Dark Entities anomaly).
The Magic Lantern lights the entire picture for 35 seconds when activated. After the 35 seconds run out, the picture will return to night mode, with most of the picture darkened and only a small light circle remaining that you must drag around the picture to reveal items.
You can activate another Magic Lantern as soon as the first runs out, and use as many as you need to keep the picture fully revealed until you find all the items.
When playing Hidden Object Locations in any other game mode than night mode, the Magic Lantern tools will have a brown background in the tools section at the bottom of the screen (next to item list) to indicate that they cannot be used. The other tools, which all can be used in every mode, will have blue backgrounds to indicate that they can be used. When playing Hidden Object Locations in Night mode, the Magic Lanterns will have the regular blue background in the tools section to show that they can be used (even if you don't have any in your inventory).
Note that it is very close to Lightning in a Bottle and tap carefully.
Flying Time[]
In all Hidden Object modes the Flying Time tool will add 45 extra seconds to your time limit. You can use as many Flying Time Tools as you want during any Hidden Object game, there is no limit to how high the overall time left on the clock can reach.
If you run out of time in any Hidden Object game you will be given the option to use a Flying Time and recover the game for a further 45 seconds (or longer if you then use more Flying Times once the game restarts). As soon as the timer runs out, a notification window will appear asking you if you want to save the game by using a Flying Time.
If you have any Flying Times in your Inventory you can choose between two options - 'Use' or 'Cancel'. Pressing 'Use' will restore the game and add 45 seconds to the timer. You can then try to find the remaining items before time runs out again or use more Flying Times to further increase the time remaining. If you press 'Cancel', you will not use the Flying Time and the a new notification window will appear informing you that you have run out of time and failed the game.
If you do not have any Flying Times in your Inventory the Flying Time notification window will still appear, and you can use this window to buy Flying Times using Rubies (you can also purchase Rubies in the Bank if you do not have enough to buy a Flying Time and will still be returned to the game afterwards to finish finding the items). If you do not want to purchase a Flying Time with Rubies you can still press 'Cancel' and fail the game instead.
Tools during Puzzles[]
Some tools will have slightly different functions in Puzzle games than they do in Hidden Object games, and not all tools are available to use during Puzzle games:
Treasure Box[]
There are two tools available to use in Treasure Box - the Precise Arrow and the Flying Time.
Treasure Box is unique among the Puzzles in Seeker's Notes: Hidden Mystery, as it has different game modes (like the Hidden Object Locations do). What happens when you use Tools in Treasure Box depends on the Puzzle mode you are playing.
Treasure Box has 2 different win parameters and 3 different game modes. The win parameters are 'Step' (you must complete the puzzle in a certain number of moves) and 'Time' (you must complete the puzzle in a certain amount of time). You can have any Puzzle mode appear with either win parameter so there are 6 different possible combinations available when playing Treasure Box (the 3 different Puzzle modes with the 'Step' parameter and the 3 different Puzzle modes with the 'Time' parameter).
What the Flying Time Tool does while playing Treasure Box depends on which win parameter is in place for that game, and what the Precise Arrow does while playing Treasure Box depends on which Puzzle mode is in place for that game.
Flying Time[]
- When the 'Step' win condition is in place, you must complete the Puzzle in a certain number of moves. Using a Flying Time will add 5 moves.
- When the 'Time' win condition is in place, you must complete the Puzzle within a certain amount of time. Using a Flying Time will add 45 seconds.
- Is there still step mode? I never have seen it on android tablet.
Precise Arrow[]
- In Palette mode you must remove a fixed number of certain colour gems from the board by making matches. The Precise Arrow will remove one of these Gems from the board when used.
- In Plates mode you must remove all the plates from the board by making matches on top of them. The Precise Arrow tool will remove one plate from the board when used.
- In Stargazer mode you must navigate the suns, moons and Saturn into caskets at the base of the board by removing gems in the way from making matches. The Precise Arrow tool will remove one gem in the way of one object you are trying to manoeuvre.
Mosaic[]
There are two tools available to use while playing Mosaic. Mosaic does not have different Puzzle modes like Treasure box, so the Tools always have the same function when playing Mosaic.
- Using a Flying Time in Mosaic will add 45 seconds to the timer.
- Using an Precise Arrow in Mosaic will move one tile into its correct position. The tile will be swapped with the tile currently in its correct position. No other tiles will move (so it does not shuffle the tiles in the same way as moving it across a number of tiles yourself would, it simple swaps places with the tile in its correct position).
Ancient Cards[]
There are two tools available to use in Ancient Cards. Ancient Cards does not have different Puzzle modes like Treasure box, so the Tools always have the same function when playing Ancient Cards.
- The Flying Time adds 45 seconds to the game's timer.
- The Precise Arrow overturns all cards revealing their images for 3 seconds.
Finding Tools[]
Some Tools can be won by winning some Hidden Object Locations once they reach a certain Rank. The Hidden Object Locations that can potentially reward Tools are Access Pass Locations.
All Tools can also be won as rewards for combining Collections or completing certain Achievements in the game. Occasionally, you will receive a tool as a random thank you gift from a friend.
Below is a list of the most common ways to find each of the tools in the game. See List of Collections and List of Achievement Levels for full details of collections and awards.
Tool | Icon | Can Be Found | Collections that reward tool | Achivements that reward tool |
---|---|---|---|---|
Precise Arrow | Campsite |
Mysterious Box (1); Clay Figures (1); Reporter's Satchel (1); Herbal Tea (1); Pirate Gear (1); Fishing Tackle (1); Rare Coins (1); Romantic Surprise (1); Mayoral Heritage (1); Catching a Cat (1); First Failure (1); Property of Gordon Byron (1); Well Rescue (1); Hints in History (1); Obstacles in the Mist (1); Potion of the Past (1); Witch's Potion (1); After the Bit (1); Descending into the Cave (1); Preparing Volunteers (1); Craving Answers (2); Archaeologist Costume (1); Desserts of the World (1); Royal Goods (1); Actor under Suspicion (1); New Weaponry (1); Bridal Gown (1); Going Fishing (1); Zionil's Pendulum (1); Art Knows No Bounds (1); Delacroix's Nephew (1); Getting to Know You (1); Helping the Colonel (1); Colonel's Investigation (1); Flower Girl's Trail (1); Prophetic Dream (1); Confrontation (1); Clues from Nature (1); Unknown Symptons(1); Life Beyong the Mist (1); Surrounded (1); Lessons of the Past (1); Race in the Cave (1); Holiday Feast (1) |
||
Lightning in a Bottle | N/A | Tasty Baked Goods (2); Dynastic Records (2); Sports Equipment (3); Ancient Plate (1); Family Heirlooms (1); Loyal Assistants (5); Golden Armor (5); Weather Forecast (3); Treasured Hobbies (5); Mysterious fragment (2); Passion for Fashion (3); Delacroix's rescue (3); Perpetrators of Losses (3); Memories of Harry (5); The Great Alchemist (5); Dark Ritual (2); City Rounds (2); Search For The Diagram (1); City Council (2); Modest Admirer (3); Rich Man's Whims (2); Interview with a Wanderer (1); Flower Girl's Greenhouse (1); Mysterious Alfred (2); City Rounds (2); Witch's Ritual (2) | ||
Magic Lantern | Garden | Scientific Experiment (1); Ominous Mist (1); Holiday Fireworks (2); Gentleman's Things (4); Recovered Clues (5); Mysterious Symbols (5); Tokens of the Vanished (4); Werewolves' Lair (2); Witch's Help (2); Surprised Residents (2); Porcelain Statuettes (1); Hunting Gear (1); Blacksmith's Gifts (2); Search for the Informant (2); Amulet Of Happy Love (3); Examination of Witnesses (2); Lady's Things (1) | ||
Flying Time | Dressing Room |
Valuable Cufflinks (2); Legacy of the Olympians (3); Ancient Treasure (5); Mysterious Puppets (4); Model Town (5); Plant Disease (2); Deceived Feelings (3); Helen's worries (2); Secret Passage (3); Mysterious Theory (2); Dinner for Goodman (3); Seeking Annabelle (5); Hot on the Trail (5); Landmark Inventions (5); The Lady's Secret (2); Friends' Headquarters (3); Compelling Stories (2); Love Confession (2); Music Scores (1); Gold Monument (2); Exhibition Decoration (2); Magic Tricks (1); The Unknown Beauty (3); Artifact Hunter (1); Museum Losses (2); Incident with the Woodman (2); Unknown Lady's Secret (3); Message from the Past (3) |
In addition to individual tools, it may also be possible to win a Chests that reward Tools when opened. There are currently 2 Chests in the game that reward Tools: The Tool Kit Chest, which contains 3 each of all the different tools, and the Item-Hunting Kit, which contains 10 each of all the different tools.
Chest | Icon | Collections that reward Chest | Achivements that reward Chest |
---|---|---|---|
Tool Kit Chest | Academic Treasures; Toy Box; Reliable Sources; Locker Cracking; Lady Byron's Concern | ||
Item-Hunting Chest | Pretend Dinner Party; At the Fortune Teller's |
Buying Tools in the Store[]
Tools can also be bought in the Store using Rubies.
Below is a table of the prices of tools in the shop, in order of affordability:
Tool | Price for 1 | Price for 5 | Price for 10 |
---|---|---|---|
Precise Arrow | 4 Rubies | 16 Rubies | 28 Rubies |
Lightning in a Bottle | 10 Rubies | 40 Rubies | 70 Rubies |
Magic Lantern | 10 Rubies | 40 Rubies | 70 Rubies |
Flying Time | 10 Rubies | 40 Rubies | 70 Rubies |