This post stems from a renewed interest in casual PC games. I have played both "New York Mysteries." For me, the first in the series was vastly superior to the second although even the second was several cuts above what I remember about IHOGs. I have also played "The Emptiness" and "I Know a Tale." "I Know a Tale" captured my attention and admiration because it did a lot on what appeared to be a shoestring. In short, I am looking for adventure game stand-ins from the last two or three years on a par with the cleverness of "Secrets of the Mafia" and "I Know a Tale." The fewer HO scenes the better.

I have played two "Drawn" games. Unlike many people, I was not taken with the graphics. I did enjoy the games. My quest is for newer games.

I prefer downloading from Big Fish assuming its reputation remains untarnished.

IHOGs seem to have morphed--rather fittingly--into HOPAs. Is that correct?

(Note: I checked my purchase history on BFG and saw that I'm about two years behind, so I edited this post to reflect that.)

I haven't played a casual this year so I will let others answer you for new suggestions. BigFish is still the same though, their customer service remains top notch!

Thanks. I am really hoping for some suggestions.

If you liked the New York Mysteries games, I'm thinking that another game by the same developer might be something you would like (i.e., fewer HOPs and more adventure/puzzles). The title I am thinking of is Lost Lands: The Four Horsemen.

If I think of any other games that you might like, I will post.

Thanks. Marian. I bought Lost Lands: Four Horsemen. While not as nimbly rendered and plotted as Secrets of the Mafia, the premise of a bespectacled mom on an unexpected quest is intriguing enough.

I also played Nightmare Adventures: Turning Thorn because I read that it had no HO scenes. I admired many, many things about it. Unfortunately, some of the puzzles seemed glitchy and that meant I wasn't as willing to settle down into figuring them out as I would have been had the game run flawlessly. I hope the developers, Ghost Ship Studios, are still around because Nightmare Adventures: Turning Thorn showed tremendous promise.

Some players on this forum are enjoying an adventure-lite game called The Emptiness; that might be a good one for you to try, as well.

I believe that Ghost Ship Studios is working on another game, but no details yet.

Ghost Ship Studios made a game before Nightmare Adventures: Turning Thorn called Nightmare Adventures: The Witches Prison. It was also an adventure-lite game with no HO scenes, and, unlike Turning Thorn, had no glitches. I was really disappointed with Turning Thorn and all its glitches, especially after having enjoyed The Witches Prison so much. You should try The Witches Prison, I'm sure you will like it. Highly recommended.

You are so right, Uncle Reg. I was assuming that 8dognight had already played the other Nightmare Adventures game, but I could be wrong. That would be a definite recommendation from me, as well.

Thanks, Uncle Reg and Marian. I'm going to buy Witches Prison. I have not played it. I am looking forward to it.

Four Horsemen has some amusing puzzles along with memory challenges, meaning I was thinking, "Okay, another medallion. Now where did I last see places for medallions? Humph, a key. How many chests are left, where the dickens are they, and what do the keyholes look like?" I loved being able to play on hard without a bunch of officious sparkles spoiling discovery for me. I'm not wild about any HOs, including silhouetted HOs; however, I Ghost Ships does a better job with them than many I remember from a few years ago because their silhouettes interact with each other in inventory as part of an otherwise point and click adventure. Picky. Picky. I know.

My one problem with BFG is that what gets billed as an adventure game or adventure lite often isn't, hence my question on this board.

If you think of any others, please, let me know.

Drat. I have played Witches Prison. BFG reminded me I already own the game. I downloaded again. I remember the whole thing only very vaguely and am playing playing again. If either think of any other games, don't forget to post, please.

Some of these are older games, but perhaps you missed a few of them:

Eternal Journey: New Atlantis and Lost Lands: Dark Overlord are from the same developer as New York Mysteries.

A Gypsy's Tale: The Tower of Secrets. This one kind of reminded me of a King's Quest game.

Dark Alleys: Penumbra Motel. No hidden object scenes at all.

Evil Pumpkin: The Lost Halloween. Lots of puzzles - mostly a casual adventure game.

True Fear: Forsaken Souls. There are some hidden object scenes but not too many - this game was a big favorite among casual game players, and a sequel is due out later this year.

Fright. Another one well-liked by players. There are some hidden object scenes but not too many.

The Emptiness. Adventure lite is how I would describe it.

Green Moon. No hidden object scenes. Some folks loved it while others didn't like it at all. I thought it was a good game that required a lot of thought.

I'll let you know if I think of anything else.

Marian, I'm playing my way through these. I played the Emptiness last week. Right now I'm in the middle of True Fear Forsaken Souls. Thank-you for the list.

I'm happy to read that you were able to find some new games to play. I'm still thinking of other titles I could suggest. Another one that came to mind is Royal Trouble - it's an older game, quite well done, and there are no hidden object scenes whatsoever.

Also give Cadenza: Music, Betrayal, and Death a try. Interesting, original, and great music.

Happy Fourth of July.