Shiver: Vanishing Hitchhiker is the first in a series of beautifully crafted, horror-themed hidden object titles by Artogon Games. Originally released in 2011, the game holds up incredibly well even by today’s standards. An excellent example of a hidden object and adventure game hybrid (HOPA), it appeals to both HOG and Adventure gamers alike. With a chilling story that lacks the campiness of other games, somewhat challenging point ‘n’ click gameplay, and breathtakingly gorgeous artwork, there’s very little for me to complain about when it comes to this classic of the hidden object genre.

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=710077539
Everything about Vanishing Hitchhiker screams quality, from the realistically painted landscapes and beautifully decaying building interiors to the atmospherically creepy sound design and soundtrack, a lot of love went into this game. Even the few lines of spoken narration are acted without the over the top melodrama we so often get in the genre. That’s to say nothing of the story, which is an interesting take on ghostly hitchhiker tales, and it refreshingly goes in an unexpected direction to boot. I truly wish the game were longer, as 6 hours in Gordon Creek wasn’t nearly long enough for this lover of creepy horror stories.

Although gameplay is your standard HOPA fare, I felt the challenge of the adventure elements was slightly higher than I’m used to in these titles, at least on Advanced mode. While the plentiful hidden object scenes are helpfully denoted with sparkles, there were many a time I found myself wandering without a clue as to how to proceed, and had embarrassingly resorted to the HINT button more times than I’m willing to admit. However, the game nudges you along if you’re stumped for too long and will sparkle on areas of interest if you’ve been sitting without progress for an extended period of time. Normally, I’d be annoyed with this unrequested help, especially on Advanced mode, but I found it more than welcome here as the intricately detailed images sometimes make it difficult to figure out where to focus on next.

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=711287270
Outside of the lack of achievements, which is something I always champion for here on Steam, my sole complaint is with the low resolution of the game screen. Of course, this was released before wide screen was the industry standard, and most casual gamers were playing on older monitors and systems. Unfortunately, that means you either play in a smaller Windowed Mode which maintains the beauty of the original graphical resolution, or stretched out in Widescreen Mode. Thankfully, there’s a Widescreen Correction option that un-stretches the image, but it places black bars on either side of the screen. Although I personally find that preferable to playing with the gorgeous artwork stretched out, fuzzy, and distorted, you’re not going to get an unaltered 1920 x 1080 image from the game, which may be unacceptable for some players.

If you’re looking for a good, creepy, hidden object adventure with a story that’s unsettling without being over-the-top cheesy, Vanishing Hitchhiker is your game. Despite playing it years ago over at Big Fish, I loved it just as much (if not more) my second time through, and I know without a doubt I’ll be visiting Gordon Creek again and again. Now, if only the other games in the Shiver series make it over to Steam, my life may well be complete.

Bottom Line: Highly Recommended to both hidden object and adventure gamers.

The first thing that will make you purchase the game is the gorgeous artwork, and then you'll realize how great the game is, even story-wise. The story about a man who was driving in an empty highway as it was heavily raining. He stopped when he noticed a Hitchhiker, a lonely young woman standing there in hope for someone to pick her up, and he did. She was silent through the whole journey. After he dropped her in a small town, he realized that she forgot a toy, a teddy bear that belongs to a girl he used to know in his childhood. The man drove back to the town in hope to find the young woman, alas he found many other things but her.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=969513382

The game has lots of hidden objects scenes and they are all beautifully drawn, I enjoyed most of them. I still think the artwork which made this game very appealing. The journal is very useful and has lots of information and notes you'd need in your adventure. Sadly there is no map, but you do have a permanent flashlight which you'll need in the game as it gets darker.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=970532919

Voiceovers are limited, only in the intro cutscene and the ending, but during the game, you will only read the characters thoughts. The bonus chapter is a good addition as it is the sequel to the main story. Most of the older games used to do this, unlike the concept of the bonus chapter of the new games we get now.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=970517324

Pros:
+Beautiful visuals and locations design.
+Good music.
+Well drawn hidden objects scenes.
+Beautiful and useful journal keeps track of the story.
+Good voice-overs (only available in the intro and end of the game).

Cons
-No fast traveling map.
-No steam achievements.

This is not your usual HOG, it is creepy and I almost jumped twice. The game is fun and beautifully made. If you are a fan of horror themes, supernatural you'll enjoy this one.

𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤𝑠 𝑐𝘩𝑒𝑐𝑘 𝑚𝑦 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑝𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝐹𝑒𝑒𝑛𝑎'𝑠 𝐶𝘩𝑜𝑖𝑐𝑒

Shiver: Vanishing Hitchhiker (IHOG)
Originally reviewed February, 2014, and updated in April, 2019 after revisiting the game.

Options include separate sliders for music and sound, plus full-screen and widescreen correction. Choice of Casual or Advanced Mode, which can be changed at any time during gameplay.

Scattered memories from the past and the reappearance of a childhood friend's teddy bear lead you on a chilling adventure in an almost-abandoned town.

The task bar is locked in place by default, but can be retractable if you wish. We come equipped with both a flashlight and a camera, and each can be used at any time. Capture phantom images by taking a picture when the camera flashes. Doing so will help the story progress and lead you in the right direction. These important pictures will go into your journal, and can only be accessed there. There are no blatant hints involved in this process, thankfully. Any other photos you take are accessible via that 'Photos' button on the left-hand side of the task bar. Also on the left are the HINT button (refillable), Menu, Task List, and Strategy Guide.

There are no puzzles in this one; simply tasks that need to be completed, just like any adventure game. This title is heavy on the HOS. I'd say 1/2 adventure, and 1/2 hidden object scenes.

The hidden object scenes themselves are highly-interactive, with items listed in yellow needing some kind of action before you can collect them. New items-to-find will often be added to your list as you find things. There is penalty for rapidly misclicking. You will visit the scenes more than once, but items you find the first time around STAY found when you go back! In addition, when you open something -- say a cupboard or a box -- you can close it again. It's not often you find a dev willing to put in those kinds of extra touches, but it is much appreciated!

For much of the game I didn't mind the hidden object scenes, and unlike most games of this type, didn't try to zip through them. Instead I enjoyed my time looking for the well-hidden items, and took my time to find everything.

Some may feel the graphics are dreary, but I find them to be deeply environmental and beautifully mood-setting. I recommend keeping up with the entries in the journal, as it makes things just that much more immersive. I loved how our character talks about how he feels like he's compelled to do certain things -- things that would have most people running the other way!

There are voice overs during the opening and closing sequences, but none during gameplay.

CE Extras:
This is from the old days of Collector's Editions, so there aren't a lot of extras. What we do have are:

• Integrated Strategy Guide
  
• Bonus Chapter
  
• 16 Concept Art
  
• 9 Wallpapers in four resolutions, from 800x600 to 1280x960
  
• 5 Videos

All extras except for the bonus chapter and the videos are unlocked when you enter the game.

Bonus Chapter:
To access the bonus chapter, simply click on the Start button, then choose the Extra Play selection on the right.

Most people liked the ending of the main story just the way it was, although it does hint (strongly!) at a sequel. What it actually is is a lead-in to the bonus chapter and the real ending of the game. If you're happy with the ending the way it was, you can skip the bonus, but if you want to know just how deep the rabbit hole goes, by all means, continue. Muwahaha~

The game is highly-immersive and the story beautifully-told, with interactive gameplay and a great creepy atmosphere. Absolutely recommended, especially if you love a good spooky story!

It was pure luck that I recognized this game as being one probably published by Big Fish Games. Indeed, I've come back to Neoseeker and I am currently adding many casual adventures/HO games. The series Shiver was one of these planned to be added soon. By releasing the game here, BFG prompted me to quicken the process.

However, I couldn't resist the purchase, as it was close to the kind of ambiance I prefer for this kind of game. So, in the end, was it really worth of my wallet?

You took a hitchhiker with you and let her go at Gordon Creek. However, the teddy bear she forgets looked like one in your childhood and decided to give it back to the mysterious girl. But did you really expect to find her easily in that gloomy and deserted town?

The plot was beginning well: a mysterious sad woman, a teddy bear, a gloomy town, anything that can be tied to a psychological game, with people being used for experiments... My imagination was running so wild that in the end, the story seemed to be a little disappointing. I still don't understand why the little boy leads you to finish your quest, when you're clearly on your way to find the truth. And the extra chapter should have been included in the main story. It would have been more logical for the plot.

Anyway, the gameplay is the same as any other game of the kind: you find items, you use them, you solve puzzles, though they're rare, you clear hidden objects scenes. The novelty here is the fact that you're carrying a flashlight and a camera with you, used to lit darker areas and to take pictures. You can take them anytime but there are moments where you need to do that to go forward. Generally, it will blink to show you that you need the picture of a vision or a ghost.

If I have a regret, it's probably for the hidden objects scenes: some objects aren't really visible and given the dark nature of the game, it's not really helping.

The graphics are really good for the ambiance, though I would have probably liked a more developed burial site. It would have strengthened the supernatural side than what happened in the town or on the island.

The soundtrack is really nice too and very fitting. However, the voice acting could have been better: I didn't feel like the man had really emotions.

As a collector's edition, you'll find the bonus chapter, concept arts, etc.. Nothing really extraordinary, as some other games are more furnished for that domain.

Anyway, Shiver: Vanishing Hitchhiker disappointed me because I was expecting something else but is a good moment to pass. However, I find the price a little too high for what it is really. I do hope that Big Fish Games will finally understand that participating in sales on Steam can be a good idea, like they did with Mystery Cases Files, where I ended up buying those discounted. Because if they're discounting other games like Awakening, Dark Tales, Otherworld or even Dark Parables, I would acquire them without problems.

Shiver manages to sell one of the blandest hidden object game storylines as a great chilling mystery, completed with challenging hidden object scenes. It definitely shows its age, but those who like spooky HOGs will definitely enjoy it.

Shiver: Vanishing Hitchhiker seems unremarkable: we play as a nameless driver who drops of an unknown girl near a ghost town, and later goes back to look for her. After that, we just wander around an abandoned area to learn about a curse as bland and predictable as it can get.
Interestingly, this plot still works, because it knows how to build suspense and atmosphere; the core mystery ensures that players will want to see the full story, including the real ending in the bonus chapter.

From gameplay side, Shiver is almost a pure hidden object game, since even where we would normally expect some sort of conventional puzzle we get a fair yet difficult hidden object scene instead. The adventure game bits are a bit slow, as we lack any sort of map, but since the game is divided into separate chapters (usually tied to exploring a new building), progression is relatively smooth with only mild cases of backtracking.

I found this game while searching for some smaller horror titles and while it's not exactly a horror, some of the mood and abandoned buildings locations actually fit the definition to some degree. I will summarize below my reflections, so it's easier to read:

- It's a very fun, classical style hidden objects game - if you're into those you will sure have fun with this one too.
- game is done really well - it doesn't do any of the usual sins of the HO games (for example: enlarging the object out of it's actual proportions only to make it harder for you to find it).
- it adds a bit of a exploration-puzzle twist to the usual hidden objects formula, which creates a well-balanced variation to gameplay not every HO cares to do that
- horrorish locations and explorations of abandoned buildings - pretty to stare at, sometimes they also have a creepy feel to them.
- it has an actual storyline - its purpose is to tie together the various locations, and it does it well.
- the reference to one of the most well known urban legends is very neat (as in the title - the vanishing hitchhiker, but it doesnt follow it to any of the most popular variations, which is refreshing. Supernatural elements came out pretty fun and stayed mysterious, as it should be).
- extra unlockable scenario was a very fun surprise!
- perfect choice for an evening with a casual, short game. I sure enjoyed my time with it a lot!
- works even on old computers.

Overall, this nice, solid game certainly deserves more reviews, so others can know it's worth their time. I would definitely reccommend it to anyone who feels like a casual game for one evening or even for just an hour from time to time. I'm sure to replay it one day, once I forget most of the stuff and have fun to rediscover it again :)

This game was awesome! It got me hooked right off the bat! I was constantly thinking what would happen next, what would I find, how would the story end. It also got those moments of fright that make one jump right out of their seat (that definitely happened to me!). This game got some interesting features that makes it stand out from the rest of its genre.

PROS:
- Male protagonist (it's rare to play as a man in a HO Mystery Adventure game);
- Malevolent boy spirit (rather than the overrated evil girl spirit);
- This boy spirits reminds one of the child from the Antichrist movie;
- Awesome scenery (the scenes are hauntingly beautiful!);
- Main game music and thunder sounds hit the spot;
- Sliding scenes for more locations (this is an interesting feature);
- The sliding scenery reminds one of Pheonix Wright: Ace Attorney series;
- Flashlight and Camera to enlighten dark places and capture past spiritual memories;
- Journal entries and protagonist's thoughts blend well with the story;
- Strategy Guide is very helpful;
- No fast-travelling map (It's a good feature because you can't get enough of the scenery!)

CONS:
- Sometimes, during an HO game, you have to click precisely on an item to get it;
- Other than this, I can't think of any other disadvantages.

There you go! A game that's worth playing at night! I recommend it to anyone that loves HO Mystery Adventure games or anyone that loves a good spook! Happy Halloween everyone!

This is an interesting one. Kinda of a paint by numbers plot. Decent HOG though some of the scenes can get annoying when you click on something and it doesn't take. Some of the puzzles are easy while others are a bit frustrating if only because you don't know what to do/find. Bonus chapter sums up the storyline nicely. It's tacked on but it completes the unfinished buisness of the main game. I'm recomending it if you like HOGS but maybe wait for a sale.

Game Information

"Shiver: Vanishing Hitchhiker" Collector's Edition is a Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure game. The game was developed by Artogon and published by Big Fish Games Studio.

"Vanishing Hitchhiker" is the first episode of "Shiver."

Since this is a collector's edition game, it comes with extra features that are not available in its counterpart; the standard edition.

The Game Review

Game Visuals

I want to mention that the visual for the game is nicely done. The visuals can be adjusted in the game's option menu.

Game Audio

I want to mention that the audio for the game is well done even if it is simplistic and somewhat repetitive. The audio can be adjusted in the game's option menu as well.

Gameplay

There are two different difficulty game modes to choose from: Casual and Advanced.

The notebook keeps track of the progression in the game. Such as story events and clues.

There is no map available in the game. The player has to remember where to go in the game.

There is a padlock feature that is available to lock the inventory panel in place to make it stationary.

The hidden object scenes consist of the following: Traditional word lists. Some of these hidden object scenes may require little or no interaction.

The puzzles are fairly easy to solve without having the need to skip any of them.

Since this is a collector's edition game, there is a bonus chapter, it can be accessed only after the main story is completed.

Miscellaneous

There are extra features in the game: Bonus Chapter; Concept Art; Wallpapers and Game's Strategy Guide. Most of these extra features can be accessed only after the entire game is completed.

Final thoughts: I have found this game enjoyable to a certain extent. The replay value for this game is low. I recommend this game but not at the game's full price value.

A wonderful little point-and-click adventure with a great horror atmosphere, superbly-realized and complementary graphics, music, and sound, and many good hidden-object scenes.

I would not put this in the genre of “casual” point-and-click adventures. First, because it's actually somewhat challenging. The puzzles are all logical and can be solved without a walkthrough, but will require some thought. Second, the horror theme might be too adult for casual gamers: the story is disturbing and there a handful of effective jump scares.

But if you enjoy hidden-object scenes and a touch of horror, this game is a cohesive and gripping treat.