The Test: Hypothesis Rising

98%
Game Brain Score Based on 10,488 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.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

98%
Audience ScoreBased on 10,488 reviews
emotional386 positive mentions
replayability4 negative mentions
  • emotional386 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game has resonated deeply with players, often leading to unexpected tears and introspection. Many users reported feeling seen and understood through the game's heartfelt messages, which provided comfort and encouragement, while others noted the emotional rollercoaster of answering personal questions. Overall, the combination of humor, creepiness, and ultimately wholesome conclusions has made for a uniquely touching experience that players found both therapeutic and enlightening.

    • “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 message at the end made me cry; I can't wait to play the big project game and cry some more. This game/series is amazing.”
    • “It genuinely told me what I needed to hear and it made me cry, like bawl my eyes out, but in a good way.”
  • humor342 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, particularly enjoying recurring jokes like the "nun punch" gag. However, some critiques noted that certain attempts at humor felt forced or fell flat, detracting from the overall experience.

    • “Thank you so much devs! This was an amazing, funny, heartwarming, and inspirational experience.”
    • “The humor is seriously top notch, and honestly, the message at the end is very well-thought-out and eye-opening.”
    • “I love the balance of ominous and hilarious.”
    • “Far more unfunny than the previous game, more annoying than fun to play.”
  • atmosphere222 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 players appreciate the blend of horror elements with comedic moments, although some feel that the sequel lacks the strong, mysterious ambiance of the original. Overall, the sound design and visual elements contribute significantly to creating a captivating atmosphere that enhances the gameplay experience.

    • “The atmosphere created is insanely good, I was captivated the whole time, even if it's really simple to look at.”
    • “The questions were super thought-provoking, the results were scarily accurate, and the atmosphere was somehow unnerving yet reassuring all at the same time.”
    • “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.”
    • “Still kept me engaged, but I kind of felt that it lacked the strong and mysterious atmosphere of the first.”
    • “But this one asked some really flat-out stupid questions and I felt advertising the other games within the questions was absolutely cheesy and it took me out of the atmosphere of the game.”
    • “As a result, the atmosphere felt a lot less creepy in this game.”
  • music144 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its ability to evoke emotions ranging from somber to hopeful, while others find certain tracks grating or distracting. Many appreciate the variety and intensity of the soundtrack, particularly during key moments, although some suggest that the sound effects can be overwhelming. Overall, the music contributes significantly to the game's atmosphere, enhancing both the emotional depth and the tension of the experience.

    • “The series is so incredible... the music, pacing, and how it makes one feel so somber, bittersweet, and hopeful!”
    • “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.”
    • “The font is hard to read, the music is distracting and grating, the attempts at unsettling the reader are more annoying than anything.”
    • “I turned down all the sound sliders except the music, but I guess that was part of that, so I had to keep the sound super low as that was actually painful for my ears.”
    • “On a side note, the music within this game was a lot less satisfying to listen to. It did pose unease, yet not as smoothly and eloquently as the previous game.”
  • graphics74 mentions

    The graphics in the game have received mixed feedback, with many praising the updated art style and character design, particularly the more complex visuals compared to its predecessor. However, some players experienced technical issues, such as freezing and soft locks, which detracted from the overall experience. While the aesthetic choices and ambiance were appreciated, there were concerns that the game felt more childish and less engaging than the original.

    • “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.”
    • “Compared to the first test, this game uses updated graphics in terms of detail, and innovates the types of questions being asked with definitely different moods for each segment, and the final portion of the game is emotionally stirring like it's supposed to be.”
    • “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.”
  • story58 mentions

    The game's story is described as a powerful and evolving narrative that emphasizes the search for truth, both within the game and in the player's own life. While some players find the plot engaging and are eager to see where it leads, others feel the story is lacking or unclear, comparing it to casual games with minimal narrative. Overall, the storytelling is seen as a significant aspect that elevates the experience, with many players expressing a desire for more depth and character development in future installments.

    • “The plot thickens with each installment; I can't wait to see where it leads to.”
    • “Very powerful game, very beautiful story unfolding.”
    • “There needs to be more games like this, as many games that are story-driven are art and can be perceived in so many different ways.”
    • “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.”
  • gameplay30 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 game requires significant polish and innovation to enhance its mechanics and replayability. Additionally, issues such as bugs and the absence of a save feature detract from the overall experience.

    • “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.”
    • “The game is much longer than 'The Test'; it has some new mechanics that fit right in.”
    • “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.”
    • “I'm still interested in what the developers are doing here, but for such very simple games mechanically (referring to the others as I've played them too and they all have the same issues), they sure could use a lot of polish.”
    • “It's short and there isn't much gameplay.”
  • replayability16 mentions

    The reviews indicate that the game has little to no replayability, particularly if players choose to answer questions truthfully. Users suggest that once the initial experience is completed, there is minimal incentive to play again, as the core mechanics do not support varied outcomes.

    • “That is its replayability for now, take that as you will.”
    • “Replay value:”
    • “And is this really replayable.”
    • “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 development8 mentions

    Reviewers consistently praise the character design in the game, particularly highlighting the main character's appealing aesthetics and the overall visual concept. The design not only enhances the game's appeal but also contributes to a thought-provoking experience, showcasing effective use of RPG Maker.

    • “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.”
    • “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.”
  • stability6 mentions

    The game's stability is generally good, with no major glitches reported; however, some users experience random freezes that hinder gameplay and saving progress. While this issue seems to affect only a subset of players, it can detract from the overall experience. Despite these concerns, many still find the game enjoyable.

    • “No glitches, and clearly has a heart and soul behind it.”
    • “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).”
    • “That being said, I enjoyed all that I was able to get to before said freezes, and from what it seems, 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.”
    • “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).”
  • grinding6 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be quite tedious, especially when binge-playing, as it often involves repeating questions from the first game. This repetition contributes to a sense of monotony, making the lengthy quiz sessions feel even more laborious.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Good continuation of the first game, though it gets a bit tedious if binging.”
    • “Repeats a lot of questions from the first game, which makes an already tedious process of answering a half-hour quiz even more tedious.”
  • optimization4 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users reporting no performance issues on their desktop PCs, while others rated the graphics quality and overall performance poorly, indicating significant room for improvement.

    • “Performance: no issues on my desktop PC.”
    • “Performance: no issues on my desktop PC.”
    • “Performance: no issues on my desktop PC.”
    • “The graphics quality and performance are severely lacking, earning a score of 2 out of 10.”
    • “The user experience is hindered by poor optimization, leading to frustrating performance issues.”
    • “Despite having a capable desktop PC, the game struggles to deliver a smooth experience.”
  • monetization4 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized for its intrusive advertising, which detracts from the overall experience. Players found the inclusion of promotional content within the gameplay and generic developer messages to be cheesy and impersonal, undermining the game's atmosphere.

    • “But this one asked some really flat out stupid questions, and I felt advertising the other games within the questions was absolutely cheesy and 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
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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