The Test: Final Revelation
- October 12, 2020
- Randumb Studios
- 5h median play time
"The Test: Final Revelation" is a thought-provoking puzzle adventure game where players uncover the truth through a series of challenging tests. With mind-bending puzzles and a gripping narrative, players delve into the depths of their own morality while navigating a mysterious facility. As the final installment of "The Test" series, this game promises to deliver a profound and satisfying conclusion.
Reviews
- The game provides a deeply introspective experience that encourages players to reflect on their lives and choices.
- Many players found the messages at the end of the game to be uplifting and impactful, often leading to emotional responses.
- The addition of visual elements, such as pictures, added a new layer of engagement and depth to the gameplay.
- Some players felt that the game dragged on too long, particularly during the picture section, which could become tedious.
- There were complaints about the repetitive nature of some questions across the trilogy, leading to a sense of déjà vu.
- A few players found the ending messages to be overly sentimental or preachy, detracting from the overall experience.
- emotional489 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of this game series has resonated deeply with players, often leading to tears and profound self-reflection. Many users describe their experiences as an emotional rollercoaster, with heartfelt messages at the end that provide comfort and validation, making them feel seen and understood. The combination of thought-provoking questions and uplifting conclusions has left a lasting impact, helping players confront their feelings and personal struggles in a meaningful way.
“At some parts, I would get emotional, put down my glasses, and just cry.”
“The emotional roller coaster it puts you through while also forcing you to ask the hardest questions about yourself results in an experience you'll never forget.”
“This game made me cry at the end, as did the others.”
- story98 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 82 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The game's story has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its depth, emotional impact, and the way it ties together elements from previous installments, while others criticize it for lacking a substantial narrative. Many users express curiosity about the overarching plot and future developments, particularly in relation to the upcoming title "Chasing Demons." Overall, the storytelling is seen as a significant aspect that enhances the gaming experience, despite some feeling it could be more developed.
“Destiny really filled in the story, and the meaning behind the whole project is wonderful!”
“I am astonished by this trilogy, and the story is extremely captivating!”
“The game has a great story to tell, your story, and helping you view that story from your choice, fate, and destiny.”
“▢ this game has no story”
“Don't go into this game expecting some spectacle or crazy story.”
“I get it, you want to make a game that is leading itself into (what I'm assuming) an actual RPG that will have all sorts of story and whatnot, but it doesn't take away from the fact that I was literally bored to tears towards the end.”
- humor61 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game series is described as a mix of bizarre, dark, and wholesome elements, often catching players off guard with its unexpectedness. While earlier titles featured more comedic moments, the latest installment leans towards a more serious tone, with some players feeling it lacks the humor that made the previous games engaging. Overall, the trilogy balances humor with deeper, thought-provoking questions, creating a unique experience that can evoke laughter, discomfort, and introspection.
“Some deeply uncomfortable, some wildly bizarre and/or hilarious.”
“I cannot express how surreal it was to see the passion in this, making the questions quite a fascinating experience as I thought about things I haven't thought about before and having humor in the questions/dialogue that would catch you off guard and make you laugh.”
“The previous two games were really good but I wasn't expecting something like this, I swear some of the questions made me laugh a lot and others almost made me cry; the entire gameplay may be only answering questions but it accomplishes something incredibly hard, to balance the deep, the frightening, the uncomfortable, the edgy and even the stupid to make something that feels human, and I think that's what makes the test series so great.”
- music40 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting significant improvements from earlier versions, enhancing the overall atmosphere. While some found the music to be emotionally resonant and well-suited to the game's themes, others felt it could be overwhelming or distracting at times. Overall, the soundtrack is praised for its ability to evoke feelings and complement the game's narrative, despite some critiques regarding its intensity and appropriateness in certain contexts.
“The music is the one thing I can definitely say has improved from test 1 to test 3.”
“From unique secret words (chaos, deserving, and solace) the music gets you in tune with your emotions, and if you can face your flaws, it will help you be your best self.”
“The music, the artwork, the journey, wow.”
“The background music felt a bit unnecessary, but I understand what the developers were going for.”
“Asking the player what emotions they're feeling from a picture while simultaneously influencing their emotions with a music selection is the kind of mistake that's going to warp a player's experience.”
“Gotta say, not really a fan of the poetry, and some of the music towards the end of the questions got really on my nerves because it took me so long to answer.”
- graphics34 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The graphics in this game have received mixed reviews, with some players noting a lack of significant improvement from previous installments, while others appreciate the unique art style and atmospheric visuals. Although technically unimpressive, the aesthetic choices, including colorful fractal art and character designs, have been praised for enhancing the overall experience. However, performance issues, such as freezing during gameplay, have detracted from the enjoyment for some users.
“The final game in the test trilogy introduces colorful Rorschach test-like visuals that are basically fractal art; an interesting change of pace from previous games where the questions are all text-based.”
“The art style is amazing and the atmosphere is captivating!”
“The artwork has also improved significantly from the first game, and now it's very nice to look at.”
“Quality: the graphics appear to be nearly copy-pasted from test 2, but with a different anime portrait speaker.”
“I could literally make this game run on a Nokia, or even a graphical calculator.”
“Secondly the picture phase of the questions is really boring; I get the idea but you have to have some striking imagery to pull this off and I get that it would probably send the rating of this game in terms of graphic content up, but it looks like a bunch of stock fractal Windows 98 screensavers that I feel absolutely nothing towards.”
- atmosphere32 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game trilogy is widely praised for its captivating blend of eerie and heartwarming elements, drawing players in with its thought-provoking writing and emotional depth. Reviewers highlight the effective use of music, visuals, and psychological themes that create a unique experience, often evoking strong emotional responses. Overall, the atmosphere is described as both unsettling and reassuring, enhancing the gameplay and leaving a lasting impression on players.
“The questions were super thought-provoking, the results were scarily accurate, and the atmosphere was somehow unnerving yet reassuring all at the same time.”
“The devs have done an amazing job with the atmosphere and psychology of these games.”
“I enjoyed the heartwarming message and the eerie atmosphere.”
“Literally from the moment I hit start, the atmosphere drew me in so completely I was just sitting crying for 3-5 minutes listening to the first audio sequences because they were that soul-wrenching for me.”
“Not much more can come out from this review due to the fact that the atmosphere and writing are similar to its prequels - being good but with better music and effects than before.”
- gameplay29 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 72 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The gameplay is primarily centered around answering questions, which some players find limiting and simplistic, rating it as low as 3/10. However, the incorporation of new mechanics, such as engaging with images and a more polished presentation, has been appreciated, adding depth to the experience. While the mechanics may lack complexity, the emotional and psychological impact of the gameplay resonates with many, making it a thought-provoking experience despite its straightforward nature.
“Getting to look at pictures was a very interesting and fun mechanic that I really enjoyed in this game compared to the first two (which were also amazing).”
“I found this final installation from a gameplay point of view kept me engaged with new question formats, with some interesting subplot to think about.”
“The entire gameplay may be only answering questions, but it accomplishes something incredibly hard: to balance the deep, the frightening, the uncomfortable, the edgy, and even the stupid to make something that feels human.”
“Overall, I feel like this is an interesting project with layers of meta, but something about the piecemeal approach that makes leaving Steam reviews a part of the gameplay does not sit well with me.”
“The only part of the gameplay was the screenshot images where we name things.”
“A simple game made in RPG Maker, with little more gameplay than selecting yes or no.”
- monetization10 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized for heavily relying on self-promotion and advertising, often overshadowing the actual gameplay experience. Reviewers feel that the developers prioritize marketing their future projects and other games over delivering meaningful content, leading to a perception of the game as a mere advertisement rather than a standalone experience. This approach, combined with excessive "thank you" messages, has left many players feeling that the game is cheap and rushed, resembling a pyramid scheme rather than a genuine offering.
“It's so incredibly obvious that they want to make a fully fledged game out of the hype surrounding this, but when you mix personal advertising with pseudo-charitable messaging, it can come across the wrong way.”
“Apart from that, the rest of the content is just the developers patting themselves on the back for 'providing unity' and 'saving lives'. Much of the rest is just advertisements for their other games and absurd 'thank you' messages for playing the games. Seriously, expect many minutes of thanking, and the 'main' content is just tedious.”
“Really, this game felt cheap and rushed in the main, to conclude - as many were expecting anyway - with a pyramid scheme-like advertisement for another game they are developing with content input from the users who cared enough about the other games to comment as instructed... all of this so they can pay into the pyramid scheme.”
- grinding9 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 11 % neutral mentions
- 89 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and overly extensive compared to previous entries in the series. While some appreciate the developers' intentions behind the grinding as part of a larger social experiment, others feel it detracts from the overall experience, leading to a sense of frustration rather than engagement. Overall, the grinding is seen as a significant drawback, overshadowing the game's positive elements.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Apart from that, the rest of the content is just the developers patting themselves on the back for 'providing unity' and 'saving lives', much of the rest is just advertisements for their other games and absurd 'thank you' messages for playing the games (seriously, expect many minutes of thanking), and the 'main' content is just tedious.”
“Cool concept, fitting ending to the trilogy, excited to play the real deal, but also a much more tedious and less affecting experience than its two predecessors.”
- character development8 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Overall, the character development in the game is highly praised for its beautiful and engaging designs, which enhance the overall atmosphere and storytelling. Players appreciate the unique character traits and the intriguing narrative elements, although some express minor concerns about the story's direction in later installments. The combination of solid pixel art and distinct character design contributes to a thrilling gaming experience.
“Game wise, the character designs are promising, the atmosphere is distinct, and the story seems nothing short of thrilling.”
“I was enthralled by the premise and intrigued by the framing with its excellent character design, solid pixel art, and the hint of story.”
“I think I like this character design best so far, and was really enjoying it.”
- optimization3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game received mixed feedback, with one user rating the graphics quality, UI, and performance at a low 2/10, while another user reported no performance issues, highlighting its positive impact during a stressful period. Overall, the optimization appears inconsistent, with some users experiencing significant problems while others find it satisfactory.
“Performance: no issues.”
“It was exactly what I needed to feel better while I was in tech week for a stressful performance (I'm an actor).”
“Graphics quality and performance are severely lacking, rating it a 2 out of 10.”
“The optimization of the game is disappointing, leading to a frustrating experience.”
“The user interface is clunky and detracts from overall performance.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Users report significant stability issues, including frequent freezes and crashes that result in lost progress upon rebooting.
“My only complaint is that the game frequently freezes and crashes, and when you reboot it, your progress is lost.”
“Random freezes occur, and while there are solutions, they are not always effective.”
“The game is plagued by stability issues, leading to frustrating crashes that disrupt gameplay.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate a mixed perception of replayability; while some players find the games to have incredible replay value, others feel that the lack of substantial content and the pricing model diminish the overall experience, leading to a sense of being scammed.
“For that reason, I do think these games have incredible replay value.”
“It's weird to charge for this; it feels a bit like a scam since there's not much actual replay value, especially with only three titles in this series and a multitude of other games available.”
“After completing the game, I found little incentive to replay it. The lack of meaningful choices and consequences really diminishes its replayability.”
“I was disappointed by the limited replay value. Once you've experienced the story, there's not much left to draw you back in.”