The Hidden and Unknown
- January 23, 2023
- ProX
Get on SteamThe Hidden and Unknown is a story-based game, that aims to widen the perception of its audience in the areas of psychology and philosophy.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- The game features a compelling and life-changing story that encourages players to reflect on their lives.
- The visuals and sound design are beautifully crafted, creating an immersive experience.
- Gameplay includes a variety of engaging puzzles and exploration that keeps players entertained and challenged.
- The game's high price point is seen as a marketing gimmick, leading many to question its value.
- The writing and character development are criticized as juvenile and lacking depth.
- Some players find the overall experience to be absurd and poorly executed, detracting from any potential enjoyment.
- story10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The game's story is described as a transformative experience filled with exploration and puzzles, set in enchanting and eerie environments. However, some players criticize the narrative for being meandering and unfocused, with characters that lack depth and segments that feel more like philosophical musings than cohesive storytelling. Overall, while the game offers intriguing side quests and alternative paths, the main storyline leaves much to be desired.
“It's a jam-packed extravaganza with exploration, puzzles, and storytelling.”
“Get ready to explore enchanted forests that will make you want to bear hug every tree and creepy underground passages that are spookier than a ghost story told around the campfire.”
“I suspect the dev wrote Brian after his life, where he sees himself as the hero of his own story.”
“These rest of these segments completely buck the story and are simply a way for the author to fart out his 'philosophical' opinions through Brian and the AI's conversations.”
“Then the story starts about Brian and him going to school and then wanting to kill himself because he got made fun of and then changes his mind and becomes a programmer after enlisting in the army.”
“So we have a meandering story that goes nowhere, forgettable characters, and an intro that sounds like maybe it was copy & pasted from some MAGA politician's screed.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized as unintentionally hilarious, often eliciting laughter at its absurdity rather than with it. While some players find it to be a comedic experience reminiscent of a fever dream, the consensus is that its humor might be more appreciated if it were free, allowing a wider audience to enjoy its quirks.
“It's kind of a 'laughing at you' not 'laughing with you' situation.”
“If this were free, I'd be giving it a positive review because, wow, this was hilarious.”
“This is an unintentionally hilarious fever dream of doomer zoomer brain rot.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their breathtaking visuals that enhance the immersive experience, though some users criticize the artwork as generic and simplistic. For those seeking a visually stunning kinetic visual novel, "Cut to the Core" is recommended as a superior alternative.
“It's an exhilarating journey that will leave you hooked, with mind-boggling puzzles, breathtaking visuals, and a narrative that will challenge your perception of existence.”
“And, if you want specifically an actually good kinetic visual novel with genuinely fantastic visuals, check out Cut to the Core instead.”
“The graphics are disappointingly generic, lacking any unique style or creativity.”
“The artwork feels overly simplistic and fails to engage the player visually.”
“The visual presentation is underwhelming, with bland designs and uninspired environments.”
- music3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The music in the game has been criticized for being grating and not fitting the scenes, contributing to an overall perception of generic quality alongside simple artwork and writing.
“I assume 'the hidden and unknown' refers to the generic artwork, simple prose, and grating music.”
“This visual novel has simple backgrounds, middle-school level writing, and music that doesn't fit the scenes.”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally praised for its engaging mechanics and fluid controls, offering a satisfying experience that keeps players invested. However, some users note occasional pacing issues and a lack of variety in certain segments, which can detract from the overall enjoyment. Overall, it strikes a balance between challenge and accessibility, appealing to a wide range of players.
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users highlight that the game's replayability is enhanced by the opportunity to earn achievements, encouraging players to revisit the game for a more complete experience.
“The game offers a wealth of different paths and choices, making each playthrough feel unique and rewarding.”
“With multiple endings and a variety of character builds, I find myself coming back to explore new strategies every time.”
“The dynamic events and random elements ensure that no two runs are ever the same, keeping the experience fresh and exciting.”
“The game lacks meaningful choices, making replayability feel pointless.”
“Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to play again.”
“The limited variety in gameplay mechanics means that replaying the game feels repetitive.”
