The Test: Hypothesis Rising

98%
Game Brain Score Based on 5,244 reviews
  • emotional
  • humor
  • atmosphere
The Test: Hypothesis Rising Game Cover
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"The Test: Hypothesis Rising" is a narrative-driven puzzle game that explores the themes of self-discovery and the search for truth. Players take on the role of a test subject, navigating through a series of increasingly complex puzzle chambers, while uncovering the mysteries behind their participation in the experiment. The game features unique mind-bending puzzles that require creative thinking and problem-solving skills.

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Reviews

98%
Audience ScoreBased on 5,244 reviews
emotional193 positive mentions
replayability2 negative mentions
  • The game features a variety of thought-provoking questions that encourage deep introspection.
  • The ending messages provide heartfelt and relevant advice that resonates with players.
  • The addition of character art and humor enhances the overall experience.
  • The font used in the game is difficult to read, which can detract from the experience.
  • Some questions feel repetitive or overly absurd, which may break immersion.
  • The game can crash or freeze, leading to frustration and loss of progress.
  • emotional193 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game series is consistently highlighted by players, with many expressing feelings of vulnerability, introspection, and catharsis. Users report experiencing a wide range of emotions, from laughter to tears, often feeling deeply understood and supported by the game's heartfelt messages and advice. The combination of unsettling elements with ultimately wholesome conclusions creates a unique emotional rollercoaster that resonates strongly with players, making them feel seen and prompting significant self-reflection.

    • “I cried and laughed at the same time.”
    • “And I'm gonna be honest... I cried because I felt less alone in my suffering even if it was for 5 minutes, I finally knew what it felt like to have someone who truly understands me and cares about me.”
    • “The ending to this one made me feel a bit emotional because I feel seen by what fate says and I both hate and love how true it is.”
  • humor171 mentions

    The humor in the game is a standout feature, blending dark, quirky, and sometimes absurd elements that elicit genuine laughter while maintaining an unsettling atmosphere. Many players appreciated the balance between thought-provoking questions and comedic moments, with recurring jokes, such as the "nun punch," adding to the overall charm. However, some critiques noted that certain attempts at humor felt forced or fell flat, detracting from the game's deeper themes.

    • “The humor is still there - and the fact that the questions didn't repeat all that much was great as well.”
    • “The humor was great, but with more questions that really make you think.”
    • “I loved the game and there were times when the game made me laugh which was enjoyable.”
    • “Far more unfunny than the previous game, more annoying than fun to play.”
  • atmosphere111 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its spooky, immersive, and thought-provoking qualities, often described as both unsettling and comforting. Many reviewers noted an improvement in atmospheric elements compared to the first installment, with enhanced sound design and a mix of humor that provided breaks from the tension. However, some felt that certain comedic elements and font choices detracted from the overall immersion, while others appreciated the unique blend of horror and introspection that the game offers.

    • “The atmosphere created is insanely good; I was captivated the whole time, even if it's really simple to look at.”
    • “I always look forward to the shift of atmosphere from the uneasy background sounds to the slightly melancholic hope the ending provides as the results are tallied up.”
    • “The probing questions and occasional musings of fate, along with the soundtrack, create a great atmosphere on their own; there really isn't a need for attempts to startle the player.”
    • “I think the atmosphere was better in the first one.”
    • “This game had less of a captivating atmosphere than the first game, but was slightly more comedic in some ways, and I enjoyed it just as much.”
    • “I know it is probably meant to enhance the creepy atmosphere, but mostly came off as clumsy and off-putting.”
  • music72 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its ability to evoke emotions ranging from somber to hopeful, while others find it distracting or grating. Many appreciate the variety and atmospheric quality of the soundtrack, particularly during key moments, although some note that certain tracks can be overwhelming or reminiscent of generic game show themes. Overall, the music is seen as an integral part of the experience, enhancing the game's emotional depth and atmosphere, despite some criticisms regarding its execution.

    • “The music is lovely, like the first one, although like some commenters have mentioned, the text itself is a little bit difficult to read (not illegible, but sometimes you have to just squint your eyes a bit).”
    • “The music improves with every new installment, and the questions are better than ever. I really enjoyed how they broke up the questions with new varied question designs (not just yes/no the whole way through).”
    • “The music was just as beautiful as well, made me swell with tears at points.”
    • “Music: the music switches between decent and boringly creepy.”
    • “Font, music, sound effects are all unbearable.”
    • “I also hated the music in the first portion.”
  • graphics37 mentions

    The graphics in the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the updated art style and character design as improvements over the predecessor, while others noted issues with performance, such as freezing and soft locks. The aesthetic choices, including a darker and more personal tone, were appreciated by some, though others found them to feel childish or reminiscent of amateur projects. Overall, the visuals contribute positively to the game's atmosphere, despite some technical shortcomings.

    • “I really like the updated graphics and effects, and our host -- Fate -- was definitely entertaining.”
    • “A superior addition to the series, with better graphics and fleshed out character.”
    • “The artwork and music were of good quality, and it did a good job building mood and atmosphere.”
    • “Good potential, but I've attempted to play the game 5 times, all resulting in the game's graphics freezing and me getting soft-locked at different intervals, ranging from the simple questions to the multiple choice ones.”
    • “It's an unfortunate regression from its predecessor in nearly every way, despite being more graphically advanced and having a slightly longer campaign with more engaging questions.”
    • “Additionally, a lot of the newer probes, along with a lot of the aesthetic choices, just make this follow-up feel... childish.”
  • story29 mentions

    The game's story is a central focus, emphasizing themes of truth and self-discovery, with players expressing excitement about the unfolding narrative and its deeper meanings. While some reviews highlight a lack of clarity in the storyline, many appreciate the emotional depth and character development, eagerly anticipating future installments. Overall, the narrative is described as powerful and engaging, prompting players to reflect on their experiences and the game's implications.

    • “There's a lot of emphasis on telling the truth, but the game also wants you to find the truth—whether it's a meta meaning, where it wants you to discover the true story or meaning of the game, or something more complex, where the game is literally trying to help you find the truth about yourself.”
    • “Very powerful game, very beautiful story unfolding.”
    • “Thank you to the creators of this story; I can't really call it a game, it's a story.”
    • “This game has no story.”
    • “Now this game is another story, I wish that I could recommend it to someone but I just can't.”
    • “I have no idea what the storyline actually is, but I can totally see MatPat doing a game theory on it and I'd watch that.”
  • gameplay15 mentions

    The gameplay is primarily centered around answering questions, with minimal mechanics and a lack of depth, leading to a generally unengaging experience. While some users noted improvements in intensity and psychological engagement, the overall consensus is that the gameplay is simplistic and could benefit from more polish and innovative mechanics. Additionally, issues such as bugs and the absence of a save feature detract from the overall experience.

    • “Nevertheless, the image is still an improvement to the gameplay.”
    • “Made the gameplay feel a lot more intense, which was great but left me unable to properly consider what was being said at times, particularly at the end when talking about your results.”
    • “Gameplay-wise, there's nothing interesting here, but the psychology at play is honestly astounding and can really get you to think about yourself and your life in ways I don't think any other game has achieved.”
    • “Mechanics: there are no mechanics other than answering questions, but I would like to call out some differences in the questions between test 1 and test 2.”
    • “Hope you get to fix those bugs and actually make a save mechanic so we can 'continue' the game when these things happen.”
    • “It's short and there isn't much gameplay.”
  • replayability8 mentions

    The game has been criticized for its lack of replayability, as players feel that answering truthfully leads to a definitive experience with little incentive to play again. Overall, users agree that the game offers minimal replay value.

    • “That is its replayability for now, take that as you will.”
    • “Replay value:”
    • “You should know going in whether that is going to be your thing or not; there isn't going to be much replay value either.”
    • “Assuming the point is actually to answer truthfully, there's zero replay value in this game.”
    • “You should know going in whether that is going to be your thing or not; there isn't going to be much replay value either.”
    • “If answering for yourself, then no, there's no replayability if you answer honestly.”
  • character development4 mentions

    Reviewers express strong appreciation for the character design in the game, particularly praising the main character's aesthetic and overall concept. The design is noted for its creativity and effectiveness in enhancing the game's appeal, contributing positively to the overall experience.

    • “I have to say it, but the character design for Fate was great.”
    • “Love the character design, love the concept of the game, and love that it really makes you think.”
    • “I love the character design here as well; I don't know how that works with RPG Maker, but the main character looks super cool.”
  • stability3 mentions

    The game generally performs well with no significant glitches, but some users experience random freezes that hinder gameplay and saving progress. Despite these issues, many players find the game enjoyable and recommend trying it out.

    • “No glitches, and clearly has a heart and soul behind it.”
    • “The only problem is it freezes at random intervals, and I'm unable to save the game (or I simply don't know how to since there's no instruction on that feature).”
    • “I enjoyed all that I was able to experience before the freezes, but it seems that most others don't have this issue, so do go ahead and try it out; from what I've seen, it should be pretty fun.”
    • “No glitches, and clearly has a heart and soul behind it.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be quite tedious, often requiring significant time investment that can feel repetitive, especially when faced with familiar content from the first game. While it continues the story well, the lengthy quiz format can become monotonous during extended play sessions.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Good continuation of the first game, though it gets a bit tedious if bingeing.”
    • “Repeats a lot of questions from the first game, which makes an already tedious process of answering a half-hour quiz even more tedious.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback, with some users reporting significant performance issues, particularly with graphics quality and user interface, rating it as low as 2/10. However, others have experienced no performance problems on their desktop PCs, indicating a disparity in optimization across different systems.

    • “Performance: no issues on my desktop PC.”
    • “The game runs smoothly even on lower-end hardware, showcasing excellent optimization.”
    • “I appreciate how well the game utilizes system resources, resulting in a seamless experience.”
    • “Graphics quality and performance are severely lacking, I would rate it a 2 out of 10.”
    • “The optimization is poor, leading to frequent frame drops and stuttering.”
    • “The user interface is clunky and not optimized for smooth navigation.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized for its intrusive advertising, which detracts from the overall experience and feels disingenuous. Players expressed frustration over generic, automated messages from developers that serve as advertisements, highlighting a lack of personal touch amidst a crowded credits list.

    • “But this one asked some really flat-out stupid questions, and I felt advertising the other games within the questions was absolutely cheesy. It took me out of the atmosphere of the game.”
    • “I wish I wouldn't get a 'personal' dev message saying thanks, written by a computer and not even personalized... and it was their advertisement. But then I saw the credits and understood why I got a generic 'personal' dev comment, seeing the 1000 names.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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