# The Secret Order 8: Return to the Buried Kingdom

> 2020 video game

**Wikidata**: [Q122347157](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q122347157)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-secret-order-8-return-to-the-buried-kingdom

## Summary
The Secret Order 8: Return to the Buried Kingdom is a 2020 hidden object video game developed by Sunward Games and published by Artifex Mundi. It is the eighth installment in The Secret Order series, featuring a single-player experience available on Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms.

## Key Facts
- **Genre**: Hidden object game  
- **Release Date**: January 30, 2020  
- **Developer**: Sunward Games  
- **Publisher**: Artifex Mundi  
- **Platforms**: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux  
- **Game Mode**: Single-player  
- **Distribution**: Digital distribution via Steam (Application ID: 1198450)  
- **Official Website**: https://www.artifexmundi.com/ (Polish)  
- **Languages Supported**: English (UI, voice acting, subtitles), French, Italian, German, Simplified Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Russian (UI and subtitles)  
- **Steam Storefront ID**: 1198450  
- **PCGamingWiki ID**: The_Secret_Order_8:_Return_to_the_Buried_Kingdom (Page ID: 154085)  
- **HowLongToBeat ID**: 77089  
- **MobyGames ID**: 141810  
- **GamerProfiles ID**: Rg1Mk  
- **GOG Dreamlist IDs**: "the-secret-order-8-return-to-the-buried-kingdom-2020" and "the-secret-order-return-to-the-buried-kingdom-2020"  
- **Internet Game Database ID**: the-secret-order-8-return-to-the-buried-kingdom (Page ID: 127205)  
- **Microsoft Store Product ID**: 9p7fc5ffjpj4  
- **PlayStation Store Concept ID**: 10001150  
- **TuxDB Game ID**: 7574  
- **Gaming on Linux Database ID**: 17265  
- **SensCritique Work ID**: 44847985  
- **VGList Video Game ID**: 64791  
- **Giant Bomb ID (former scheme)**: 3030-77505  

## FAQs
**What is the primary gameplay genre of The Secret Order 8?**  
It is a hidden object game, focusing on puzzle-solving and item-finding mechanics within a narrative-driven adventure.  

**Which companies developed and published the game?**  
Sunward Games developed the game, while Artifex Mundi served as the publisher.  

**On which platforms is the game available?**  
It supports Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems.  

**What languages does the game support?**  
The game offers English (with full voice acting), and localized UI/subtitles in French, Italian, German, Simplified Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Polish, and Russian.  

**Where can the game be purchased digitally?**  
It is distributed via Steam, with additional storefront IDs for Microsoft Store (9p7fc5ffjpj4) and PlayStation Store (concept ID: 10001150).  

## Why It Matters
The Secret Order 8: Return to the Buried Kingdom exemplifies the enduring appeal of narrative-driven hidden object games, particularly in the casual gaming market. As the eighth installment in a long-running series, it maintains consistency in gameplay while expanding the lore of its fantasy universe. Its multi-platform availability (Windows, macOS, Linux) and extensive language support reflect Artifex Mundi’s commitment to accessibility, making it a significant title for international audiences. The game also contributes to the broader ecosystem of indie adventure games, demonstrating how smaller studios can achieve commercial success through specialized genres and polished storytelling.

## Notable For
- **Multi-Language Support**: Offers voice acting in English alongside UI/subtitles in nine languages, including Polish (reflecting the publisher’s origin).  
- **Cross-Platform Availability**: Simultaneously launched on Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring broad accessibility.  
- **Steam Integration**: Features a dedicated Steam storefront (ID: 1198450) with extensive metadata and community resources.  
- **Longevity in Series**: Marks the eighth entry in The Secret Order franchise, underscoring its sustained player engagement.  
- **Digital-Only Distribution**: Exclusively available via digital platforms like Steam, aligning with modern indie game distribution trends.  

## Body
### Development and Release
The Secret Order 8: Return to the Buried Kingdom was developed by Sunward Games and published by Artifex Mundi, a Polish company known for casual adventure games. It was released on January 30, 2020, as the eighth installment in The Secret Order series. The game operates as a single-player experience, adhering to the hidden object genre with puzzle-solving elements. Distribution is handled exclusively through digital channels, primarily Steam (Application ID: 1198450), with additional storefront listings on Microsoft Store (Product ID: 9p7fc5ffjpj4) and PlayStation Store (Concept ID: 10001150).

### Technical Specifications
The game is compatible with three major operating systems: Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux. Its distribution format is purely digital, requiring no physical media. For technical troubleshooting and community discussions, resources are available on PCGamingWiki (Page ID: 154085) and Gaming on Linux (Database ID: 17265). The Steam storefront includes comprehensive metadata, such as the SteamGridDB ID (5253215) and Lutris Game ID (the-secret-order-8-return-to-the-buried-kingdom), facilitating third-party integration.

### Localization and Accessibility
The game prioritizes international accessibility, supporting ten languages in total. English is fully localized with voice acting, subtitles, and UI. French, Italian, German, Simplified Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Polish, and Russian provide UI and subtitle support but lack voice acting. This multilingual approach is documented in the Steam metadata, with qualifiers specifying language applicability to UI, voice acting, or subtitles.

### Community and Metadata
The game is cataloged across multiple gaming databases:  
- **MobyGames**: ID 141810  
- **GamerProfiles**: ID Rg1Mk  
- **VGList**: ID 64791  
- **SensCritique**: Work ID 44847985  
- **Giant Bomb**: Former scheme ID 3030-77505  
- **HowLongToBeat**: ID 77089 (indicating average playtime)  
- **IsThereAnyDeal**: ID the-secret-order-8-return-to-the-buried-kingdom  
- **GOG Dreamlist**: IDs "the-secret-order-8-return-to-the-buried-kingdom-2020" and "the-secret-order-return-to-the-buried-kingdom-2020"  

### Industry Context
As a hidden object game, it belongs to a niche genre emphasizing visual puzzles and narrative immersion. Its release in 2020 coincided with a surge in casual gaming demand during the COVID-19 pandemic. The publisher, Artifex Mundi, leverages its official website (https://www.artifexmundi.com/) to promote titles like this, emphasizing Polish development roots. The game’s inclusion in platforms like TuxDB (ID: 7574) highlights its relevance in Linux gaming communities.

## References

1. Steam
2. PCGamingWiki
3. GameSpot
4. Q124398839
5. PlayStation Store
6. GOG Dreamlist