---
key: mechanic/point-and-click--family-01
type: mechanic
id: point-and-click--family-01
lang: en
title: 'Inspection, search and perception'
summary: >-
  The player examines a scene and notices objects or changes that reveal an
  action or new information.
updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
status: active
url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/point-and-click--family-01/'
jsonUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/point-and-click--family-01.json
markdownUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/point-and-click--family-01.md
aliases:
  - Observation and inspection
tags:
  - Point-and-click adventures
  - Core actions and items
sourceIds:
  - source-c071af1c88e59913
sources:
  - id: source-c071af1c88e59913
    title: The Case of the Golden Idol
    url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/1677770/'
    verifiedAt: null
relations: []
placements:
  - catalogId: point-and-click
    id: family-01
    title: Point-and-click adventures
    url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/point-and-click/#family-01'
    categoryIds:
      - section-1
supersededBy: []
attributes:
  preview:
    updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
    title: Observation and inspection
    description: >-
      The player examines a scene and notices objects or changes that reveal an
      action or new information.
    image:
      src: images/mechanics/adventure-golden-idol-09.webp
      width: 1440
      height: 810
      game: The Case of the Golden Idol
      sourceUrl: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/1677770/'
      originalUrl: >-
        https://shared.akamai.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/1677770/ss_8f2a212b0de03ff276c36f800395a5d44251246c.1920x1080.jpg?t=1786374001
      credit: Color Gray Games / Playstack
      rights: >-
        Game imagery © its respective rights holders. Publisher-distributed
        Steam screenshot; all rights reserved. Excluded from MIT and CC BY 4.0.
      caption: Inspecting a character and their belongings in Golden Idol
      alt: Inspecting a character and their belongings in Golden Idol
      markers:
        - x: 60
          'y': 43
          label: An item in the open inspection window
    tips:
      - Give inspection a clear result and retain discovered information.
    examples:
      - title: The Case of the Golden Idol
        url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/1677770/'
endsAt: null
provenance: >-
  Original taxonomy adapted from user-selected design discussions; linked
  sources support specific examples, not the whole classification.
license: CC-BY-4.0
codeLicense: MIT
attribution: gamemechanics.pro contributors
catalogKey: catalog/point-and-click
---
# Inspection, search and perception

id: point-and-click--family-01
type: mechanic
key: mechanic/point-and-click--family-01
lang: en
status: active
url: https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/point-and-click--family-01/

The player examines a scene and notices objects or changes that reveal an action or new information.

## At a glance

![Inspecting a character and their belongings in Golden Idol](https://gamemechanics.pro/images/mechanics/adventure-golden-idol-09.webp)

[The Case of the Golden Idol](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1677770/) · Game imagery © its respective rights holders. Publisher-distributed Steam screenshot; all rights reserved. Excluded from MIT and CC BY 4.0.

1. An item in the open inspection window

- Give inspection a clear result and retain discovered information.

- [The Case of the Golden Idol](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1677770/)

## How it works

The player examines a scene and notices objects or changes that reveal an action or new information.

## Variants

### Variants

<a id="family-01-branch-1"></a>

- Interactive areas: find usable objects, characters, exits and details. <a id="family-01-variant-1"></a>
- Close-ups: examine sides, interiors, backs and components. <a id="family-01-variant-2"></a>
- Processes: observe movement, habits, cycles and reactions. <a id="family-01-variant-6"></a>
- Hidden objects: search by name, silhouette, description or fragments and assemble parts. <a id="family-01-variant-3"></a>
- Visibility: illuminate, clean, reveal, uncover or use an instrument. <a id="family-01-variant-4"></a>
- Differences: compare scenes, photographs and object states. <a id="family-01-variant-5"></a>
- Sensory investigation: listen, touch, smell, taste or measure when supported. <a id="family-01-variant-7"></a>
- Reinspection: obtain new information after conversations, discoveries or state changes. <a id="family-01-variant-8"></a>

## Context and limits

A working classification with 44 families and 355 variants. Families overlap: one puzzle can combine items, dialogue, deduction and a character schedule. Core actions, progression architecture and assistance are separate layers. Sources identify examples from neighboring adventure genres.

## Connected materials


## Sources and provenance

Original taxonomy adapted from user-selected design discussions; linked sources support specific examples, not the whole classification.

- [The Case of the Golden Idol](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1677770/) (id: source-c071af1c88e59913)

CC-BY-4.0 · gamemechanics.pro contributors