Refind Self: The Personality Test Game
- November 13, 2023
- Lizardry
- 3h median play time
Refind Self: The Personality Test Game is a narrative-driven experience where you play as an EAI android, exploring the world and interacting with various robots to uncover your purpose and the Doctor's secrets. The game analyzes your choices and personality throughout, with a full personality report after three playthroughs, each lasting approximately an hour. The story takes place in a robot-populated world, with important characters such as the protagonist and Dull, a lazy robot clerk at a café.
Reviews
- The game features a beautiful art style and a captivating soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
- It offers a unique approach to personality testing by analyzing player actions and decisions throughout the game.
- The story is heartfelt and thought-provoking, encouraging players to reflect on their own lives and choices.
- The gameplay can feel repetitive, as players are required to complete multiple playthroughs to fully understand the story and personality results.
- Some players found the personality assessment to be inaccurate or overly simplistic, leading to disappointment.
- There are reports of bugs and technical issues that can hinder the gameplay experience.
- story504 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game's story is a poignant blend of self-discovery and emotional depth, often surprising players with its heartfelt narrative that unfolds over multiple playthroughs. While some find the storytelling simplistic or fragmented, many appreciate the intertwining of the plot with the personality test mechanics, leading to a unique exploration of human experiences through the lens of an AI character. Overall, the art style, music, and emotional resonance of the story contribute to a compelling experience, making it a recommended choice for those who enjoy narrative-driven games.
“The story creates a thought-provoking self-reflection on what it means to be human, the beauty of human imperfections and the challenges of adhering to human morals, told from the perspective of an AI who struggles yet strives to comprehend such concepts.”
“The story was incredible and made me cry.”
“I absolutely loved this game, the soundtrack is so beautiful, the graphics are stunning and the story was very enjoyable and exactly what I was looking for!”
“The story failed to engage me, and I remained indifferent to the protagonist’s past.”
“It tries to build a story, but fails to create a narrative or deliver a meaningful message which makes it fall short.”
“The story feels boring; I was waiting for it to get good, but it never did.”
- music150 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its beautiful, calming, and nostalgic qualities, often described as a perfect complement to the visuals and story. Many players appreciate the soothing piano melodies and the emotional depth conveyed through the soundtrack, which enhances the overall immersive experience. While some note occasional repetitiveness, the majority find the music to be a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's cozy and reflective atmosphere.
“The music is the most calm music I've heard in a game since 'Dearly Beloved' for Kingdom Hearts 2; the art style is comforting and welcoming, and the story and hidden lore tie everything together beautifully.”
“The soundtrack is a gorgeous melody to get lost in while exploring this unfamiliar and lonely world.”
“From the second you open the game, you're greeted with this delicate soundtrack that's relaxing - but with this ever-present hint of sadness underneath.”
“Sure, the music is repetitive in some situations.”
“There is nothing in the soundtrack that caught my ear, either by sounding atrocious or nice.”
“It has pretty art and music but completely fails as a personality test, narrative, and game.”
- emotional121 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised, with many players reporting that it elicited strong feelings, including tears and nostalgia. The heartfelt narrative, combined with a charming art style and engaging music, creates a touching experience that resonates deeply, even if some felt the personality test elements detracted from the emotional storytelling. Overall, it is described as a beautiful and impactful game that leaves a lasting emotional impression.
“The true ending made me cry, worth picking this up for that alone.”
“This game is heartwarming; I would say that the characters involved are all fantastic, and Utsume is a fantastic protagonist. Their relationship with the doctor truly touched me; I’m not gonna lie, I shed some manly tears. I would recommend it to no end; also, the soundtrack is fantastic.”
“Beautiful, emotional short game with a dash of self-reflection.”
- graphics85 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are widely praised for their stunning art style, which combines cute pixel art with a calming and immersive atmosphere. Players appreciate the beautiful visuals and how they complement the game's emotional narrative and soothing soundtrack, creating a cozy and heartfelt experience. While some note the absence of high-end graphics or effects, the overall aesthetic and artistic direction are considered a significant highlight.
“I absolutely loved this game, the soundtrack is so beautiful, the graphics are stunning and the story was very enjoyable and exactly what I was looking for!”
“The graphics, the art, the script, the music, everything in this game are absolutely gorgeous.”
“I find this game to be a truly beautiful one, the visuals and soundtrack are all truly amazing.”
“The game’s graphics and personality test initially intrigued me, but ultimately fell short.”
“It's a very aesthetically pleasing game, but the 'game' part of it is just not there.”
“So don't expect triple A graphics or voiceovers.”
- gameplay81 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally described as simplistic and straightforward, focusing more on storytelling and personality analysis than complex mechanics. Players appreciate the engaging narrative and the unique personality gauging system, but many find the gameplay short and repetitive, often completing it in under three hours. While the art and music are praised, the overall gameplay experience may not satisfy those seeking depth or challenge.
“I came into Refind Self shortly after playing 7 Days to End with You, and I'm gaining an appreciation of what Lizardry does as a studio - open-ended exploratory gameplay with interesting macro structures and moments of deduction, led by a more straightforward story with cute pixel art.”
“I enjoyed how many actions were mechanically accounted for, the variety of approaches you can have for any given playthrough (despite it being a small space), and the way systems open up the more you play.”
“Nailed the vibes with the colors and music, quite an interesting plot with gameplay that makes you think about your inner self, all the while perfectly blending all the mentioned elements into a surprisingly immersive experience.”
“To talk about the actual gameplay for a moment - it's rather simplistic.”
“The gameplay is short, seems like most players complete it in under 3 hours, plus a lot of the game is just replaying it in different ways.”
“Because the gameplay is not complex, the results will be concentrated on only a few personality traits.”
- atmosphere23 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its calming and melancholic qualities, combining aesthetic visuals, a soothing soundtrack, and simple yet effective art styles. Many players find it to be a comforting experience, though some note that the story is straightforward and serves primarily to enhance the overall ambiance. Overall, the atmosphere is described as peaceful and engaging, making it appealing for those who appreciate smaller, atmospheric games.
“I loved the melancholic atmosphere permeating the entire game and the leadup to the big reveals.”
“The simple sprites, color palette, and the calming music all come together to create this atmosphere.”
“Its atmosphere is very peaceful all around, but a bit of sadness hangs in the air.”
“That being said, the story is a bit simple and doesn't do any notable beats and is more about the atmosphere set by the NPCs, so make sure to temper expectations.”
“The atmosphere is melancholic, and the art is also good.”
“Its atmosphere is very peaceful all around but a bit of sadness hangs in the air.”
- replayability16 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with engaging characters and interactions that encourage multiple playthroughs. While some players feel that the experience may become repetitive after a while, many appreciate the quick gameplay and the emotional depth that adds to its replay value. However, a few users noted that once the story is fully experienced, the desire to replay may diminish.
“It's cute and poignant and smartly gets a lot of replay value.”
“Sick replayability concept by piecemealing how long a game lasts, learning more of the plot background as you go; it pulled at my heartstrings on just one playthrough.”
“Usually I get bored quickly at these types of games, but this one is a charm, and replayability is quite good too. Give it a try and I think you won't regret it.”
“The same feeling or experience feels like a sort of 'one-and-done' deal and I imagine if you erase the data and do it again, the desire for replayability is low.”
- humor8 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as a mix of funny, sad, and sometimes disturbing, with players appreciating the meaningful dialogue and the comedic elements provided by the helper bot. Overall, it elicits genuine laughter while also evoking deeper emotions, making it a memorable experience.
“This game made me laugh a couple of times, very worth it.”
“The dialogue was meaningful and had feel to it, along with the humor of the helper bot.”
“You may find them funny, sad, maybe both, maybe disturbing, whatever.”
- grinding7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 71 % negative mentions
Reviews on the grinding aspect of the game are mixed; while some players find replaying the game for full completion engaging and enjoyable, others feel that the lack of new content makes the third run tedious. Overall, the experience varies significantly based on individual preferences and tolerance for repetition.
“Besides that, it was rather tedious continuing the game when you finished the first run, as there is nothing new added to the game.”
“It did get tedious by run 3 though, but maybe me complaining about that also says something about my personality.”
- stability6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with many users reporting it as a "buggy mess" that renders it nearly unplayable. Despite its promising visuals, the persistent technical issues have left players disappointed and unable to fully enjoy the experience.
“It's such a shame, the game looks really promising, but at least for me, it was a buggy mess.”
“I'm really disappointed at how unplayable this game is. I've tried opening the game several times and it's basically unplayable with how buggy it is. I was really excited to play it because it really does look like a beautiful game; it's just a real shame a lot of people will never be able to truly experience how amazing it could be.”
“Underwhelming and buggy.”
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is criticized for being shallow, despite the appealing pixel art style and character designs. Reviewers feel that the depth of personality assessment does not meet expectations, resulting in a lack of meaningful character growth.
- optimization2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users consistently praise the game's optimization, highlighting its excellent battery life and overall performance.
“Great battery life and performance.”