The Test: Secrets of the Soul
- February 20, 2023
- Randumb Studios
Get on Steam"The Test: Secrets of the Soul" is an atmospheric psychological-simulation with horror elements, where players answer a series of personal questions to delve into their own psyche. This introspective journey may reveal uncomfortable truths, but ultimately leads to newfound self-knowledge. Ideal for content creators looking to engage with their audience, it also offers a unique solo experience.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game provides a thought-provoking experience that encourages self-reflection.
- Players appreciate the comforting and insightful advice given at the end of the game.
- The atmosphere and art style enhance the overall experience, making it enjoyable and engaging.
- The game is significantly shorter than previous entries in the series, leaving some players wanting more.
- Some questions may feel vague or overly simplistic, leading to a lack of depth in the experience.
- The results can sometimes feel generic or not entirely applicable to the player's current situation.
- emotional24 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players consistently report that the game evokes strong emotional responses, often leading to tears and moments of introspection. Many describe it as a deeply personal experience that offers heartfelt advice and clarity, likening it to a therapeutic session. The combination of poignant storytelling and relatable questions creates a unique emotional journey that resonates with players, leaving them feeling understood and uplifted.
“Last night after countless hours of pouring over research and heartfelt conversations with loved ones, I finally reached a point of clarity, finally understanding something about myself that I've been missing for years.”
“Played this game on a stream, and I cried so much at the question of will I tell my best friend the truth if I was the only one who knew they were about to die... that hit so close to home, but I'm happy that the game was created beautifully.”
“The life advice at the end was so kind and heartwarming, sort of like a direct message from the developers to anyone willing to give this game a try.”
- music19 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 26 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The music in the game is consistently praised for its high production quality and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, creating a calming and immersive experience. Many users express a desire for the soundtrack to be available on platforms like YouTube or Spotify, highlighting its appeal. Overall, the combination of music, ambiance, and visuals is noted as a standout feature that elevates the gameplay.
“The music really adds to the atmosphere and the questions asked really make you look into yourself and question your feelings about yourself and others.”
“What I enjoyed about this demo the most was the musical score.”
“I also love the artwork and music, really relaxing.”
“The atmosphere is pretty cool; the DLC support pack should include an OST because I really like the music.”
“The music really adds to the atmosphere, and the questions asked really make you look into yourself and question your feelings about yourself and others.”
“I mostly just liked the music and atmosphere of this one, as well as the design of the watcher himself.”
- atmosphere19 mentions
- 79 % positive mentions
- 5 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its fantastic art, eerie yet pleasant music, and immersive qualities that evoke a range of emotions from comfort to creepiness. Many players appreciate the game's strong focus on atmosphere, describing it as a blend of fun and introspection, with elements that encourage self-reflection. Overall, the atmospheric design, including stormy elements and engaging visuals, enhances the experience, making it a standout feature of the game.
“The whole atmosphere of this game was truly fantastic.”
“It has a strong focus on atmosphere and the visuals as well as the music are quite pleasant if a little eerie.”
“The music really adds to the atmosphere and the questions asked really make you look into yourself and question your feelings about yourself and others.”
“The word I got is restful, and I must say that while the atmosphere was quite intense, I found the overall game more comforting than anything else. While slightly creepy, the watcher was nothing but kind.”
“I mostly just liked the music and atmosphere of this one, as well as the design of the watcher himself.”
“The music really adds to the atmosphere, and the questions asked really make you look into yourself and question your feelings about yourself and others.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their strong atmospheric focus, with excellent artwork and a pleasant, albeit slightly eerie, ambiance. Many users appreciate the improvements in visual quality compared to previous versions, highlighting the relaxing nature of the visuals and music. Overall, the graphics contribute significantly to the game's appeal.
“It has a strong focus on atmosphere, and the visuals as well as the music are quite pleasant, if a little eerie.”
“The artwork and ambiance were both excellent.”
“The updated artwork compared to the previous test games is a nice improvement over the graphics and personally appeals to me more.”
- story6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The story is introduced through an engaging encounter with a ghost-like character, who, despite his intimidating appearance, proves to be a likable presence. While the initial storytelling is praised for its vivid and descriptive writing, some users express a desire for deeper narrative development in future installments. Overall, the foundation of the story is intriguing, leaving players eager for more.
“The guy who gives you the test looks kind of intimidating but surprisingly he's a pretty chill dude. I really wanted to hang out more with him, and I think there will be a story to this later on in another game, so I'm looking forward to it!”
“I liked the storytelling at the beginning, though.”
“But most importantly, the story is just you immediately walking into the ghost-like character you can see on every screenshot.”
“Can't relate to the other gift - the story at the end - either.”
“The writing is very vivid and descriptive and really helps progress the story along.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its lighthearted and relatable advice, with players finding amusement in the protagonist's attempts to promote positivity and resilience in the face of negativity. Many users appreciate the comedic delivery of familiar sentiments, making the experience both entertaining and reflective.
“It's kind of funny in the advice the watcher gives; I've said similar words to other people.”
“Funny guy really tried to tell me to ignore hate and move on and live more positively.”
“It's kinda funny in a way.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Users generally note a moderate level of replayability in the game, with the potential for different experiences based on varying outcomes. However, some reviewers feel that while the game is enjoyable, it may not offer enough incentive for repeated playthroughs.
“I've found these games overall to have some degree of replayability, as you may encounter different outcomes and experiences each time you play.”
“Overall, the game was enjoyable; however, I wouldn't call it replayable.”
“Length and replayability.”
“I've found these games overall to have some degree of replayability, as you may encounter different outcomes based on your choices.”
“The length and replayability of the game are lacking, making it hard to justify multiple playthroughs.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The gameplay is heavily criticized for lacking interactive elements, with users noting that it primarily consists of dialogue rather than engaging mechanics or actions.
“There's no gameplay here, just endless dialogue.”
“The gameplay is lacking and feels more like a visual novel than a game.”
- character development1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is perceived as ambiguous, with some users questioning whether certain changes in characters truly reflect growth or transformation.
