Tiny Lands 2 [REVIEW] – ‘Spot the Difference’ Has Never Been More Fun 

There is something undeniably nostalgic about a ‘spot the difference’ puzzle… heck, whenever I see one in a puzzle book now in my thirties, it becomes the thing I become the most invested in. So, of course, Tiny Lands 2 would massively appeal to me, with it taking the classic ‘spot the difference’ DNA and bring it into a wonderfully creative three-dimensional world. 

Check out some screenshots down below: 

At its core, Tiny Lands 2 is wonderfully straightforward. You are presented with two gorgeous, 3D dioramas side-by-side, with your job being to find five differences between them. It’s simple, it’s addictive, and it’s fun. However, because the worlds are fully 3D, you aren’t just looking at a flat image, but poking around a miniature world where you can admire every little detail of the kooky happenings that are taking place. You’ve got full control of the camera, allowing you to rotate freely and zoom in and out, and believe me, with all of the hidden differences and collectibles to find, you’ll be putting it to good use. 

The environments themselves are the real stars of the show. Each of the 50 levels sets a gorgeous little scene, with the art style leaning into an almost tilt-shift photography style of a small world where everyday household items have been repurposed by small folk. It’s incredibly endearing, whilst the creativity found in the level design itself is very clever. You’re not just looking at randomly placed items, but thoughtful scenes that clearly had a lot of heart and care put into them. I really loved getting to uncover every detail of them, with each bringing a smile to my face in their own little way. 

“Tiny Lands 2 offers a delightful ‘spot the difference’ experience that’s relaxing, addictive, and lovely to look at.” 

When it comes to the difficulty, Tiny Lands 2 strikes a fair balance. Like any ‘spot the difference’ puzzle, you’ll find a couple of obvious differences quite quickly, but then the final few require careful observation. Thankfully, there is no ticking clock and no punishment for clicking the wrong thing, with it very much a low-stress environment where you can take as long as you need. If you do get well and truly stumped, there is even a rechargeable hint system, and whilst it doesn’t point to the exact item – which would feel like cheating – it does highlight a general area to narrow your search. I tried to avoid using it where possible, but in those moments where I was completely stuck, the gentle nudge it gave ensured progress wasn’t blocked too much. 

Oh, and I played through the game with my six-year-old daughter, and she loved every minute of playing. Whilst the intricacy of some levels might be challenging for some little ones, it’s definitely a game that can be enjoyed together. There’s even local co-op on offer, though we didn’t use that… sharing one controller was just as fun. 

Check out some screenshots down below: 

Beyond the main hunt, there are hidden jigsaw pieces to find in every level, which adds a nice layer of replayability. You also aren’t forced to complete levels in a strict sequence, with levels unlocked by spending the stars you earn along the way. Again, this suited my daughter, especially when a level caught her eye and she was eager to try it out (yes, I’m looking at you, ‘Crocodile Dentist’ level). 

Developer: Hyper Three Studio 
Publisher: Hidden Trap 
Platform(s): PlayStation 5 (Reviewed), Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC 
Website: https://www.hyperthreestudio.com/tiny-lands-2