Mystery Hunt: follow clues to your next find

A Mystery Hunt adds a little detective work to collecting idols. Instead of simply choosing a known stop, you use clues to work out a location, visit it, and collect the idol there. The fun is in the moment when a detail clicks and you know where to look.

Most cases stand on their own, so one tricky mystery doesn’t have to hold up your whole game. You can start with an approachable case, try another when you get stuck, and return to an unsolved clue later. You play in your phone’s browser and use a free account to save your finds.

1. Read the case and its search area

   Start with the game instructions and the initial evidence for a case. Note the area you’re searching and any access guidance. Check the game’s Instagram and Facebook posts for its published clues, hints, and updates.

2. Work out what the evidence points to

   Look for a visual match, combine observations, or rule out places that don’t fit. A case might use a photo fragment, an architectural detail, or a short puzzle with the information you need supplied.

3. Visit your likely answer

   Go to the location and compare it with the clue. Stay in visitor areas and follow the stop’s instructions. No purchase is needed. Use the published hints for help with the clue.

4. Collect the idol

   Finding the answer is the lead; collecting at the location records your find. Scan the physical idol’s QR code or follow the digital idol’s check-in instructions. Wait for the collection confirmation before moving on.

Expect a mix of easier visual matches and cases that take a few connected deductions. Difficulty comes from noticing and reasoning, rather than needing specialist knowledge. Some clues may make sense before you set off; others are easier to understand while looking around the search area.

For example, a cropped picture could show a sun-shaped carving above a blue arch. A second clue narrows the search to a small pedestrian square. You compare the doorways there until both pieces fit.

Revisit the evidence and check for a published hint. Hints can point you toward a detail you missed or narrow the area to investigate. Follow the hint and reveal schedule announced for your particular game; don’t assume every case follows the same timetable.

You can put a case aside and try another independent mystery. When a solution is published, you can still visit and collect while that stop and the game remain open. Be considerate when sharing discoveries: give other players a chance to enjoy the clues before posting an answer where they’ll see it.

A Mystery Hunt can span several outings. Allow time to solve, travel, and collect, and check the game dates and each location’s hours. A short walk doesn’t necessarily mean a quick case.

Your first collection saves the idol and earns its configured points. Using a hint isn’t itself an extra charge or a points deduction. Don’t assume solving before a reveal earns bonus points: check the game’s published scoring and prize details. Repeated collections of the same idol in the same game don’t earn more points.

This format suits people who enjoy observation, small puzzles, and comparing ideas with friends. If you prefer to see your destinations up front, a Collection Game or Discovery Trail may be a better fit.