The Testing Chamber
- March 28, 2022
- Randumb Studios
Get on Steam"The Testing Chamber" is a psychological-simulation game with horror elements, classified as an atmospheric social experiment. Players dive into their own psyche and answer a series of personal questions to unlock their mind and gain new insights, while experiencing uncomfortable truths. The game offers a unique solo experience, and is well-suited for content creators looking to engage with their audience.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game offers a deep and introspective experience, prompting players to reflect on their lives and choices.
- The exploration elements add a new layer of interactivity compared to previous titles, making it more engaging.
- The writing and atmosphere are well-crafted, enhancing the overall emotional impact of the game.
- The game can feel repetitive at times, with similar room layouts and dialogue that may detract from the experience.
- Some players found the pacing slow due to lengthy text scrolls, which can interrupt the flow of gameplay.
- The reliance on collecting items and secrets may lead to frustration for those who prefer a more straightforward narrative.
- story44 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The game's story is deeply engaging and emotionally resonant, with players noting its ability to evoke strong feelings and personal reflections. Many appreciate the interactive nature of the narrative, which varies with each playthrough and connects to the player's choices, enhancing the overall experience. While some found the story lengthy, it is generally praised for its depth, thematic richness, and the way it intertwines with gameplay, leaving a lasting impact on players.
“The story of the shackled is an interesting one, to say the least… it’s said that long ago, a great wizard of incredible fame and world-renown fell madly in love with a woman, who did not seem to share mutual feelings with his yearning…”
“The story of king nothing meant so much to me with all the hidden wisdom from the butterflies.”
“I love how they linked my answers to a story, and I love how close I felt to this story.”
“I needed a break because it felt a bit 'too much to read' and 'longer than a short story' as a small booklet.”
“I don't know who told you my life story, but I wasn't ready for it.”
“The end made me cry-- the story was so moving along with the lesson.”
- atmosphere31 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and spooky qualities, effectively enhancing the psychological and philosophical themes presented. Players appreciate the combination of great sound design, atmospheric music, and well-crafted writing, which contribute to a consistent and engaging experience, despite some repetitiveness in gameplay mechanics. Overall, the game successfully creates a deep, unsettling ambiance that keeps players on edge while encouraging contemplation of their choices.
“The atmosphere of the game was accomplished by the great sound design.”
“The atmosphere is incredible, the dialogue beautifully written, and the advice feels so genuine.”
“I enjoyed the different style of this game compared to their other works; I enjoyed walking around and how creepy the atmosphere became with each passing room.”
“The descriptions of the various objects and rooms were well written, but ultimately didn't do much to build the dark atmosphere the game was going for.”
“The atmosphere is also constant throughout most of the game, with only one room deviating from the typical bricks-and-blood motif.”
“The spooky atmosphere got me anxious at times, but I'm very satisfied with the overall experience.”
- music22 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 32 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric quality, enhancing immersion and complementing the visuals effectively. While many players found it beautiful and fitting, some noted that the repetitive nature of the tracks could become overwhelming or lead to discomfort. Overall, the soundtrack contributes significantly to the game's mood, drawing players in and adding depth to the experience.
“I love what you did with the music; the initial repetition really made my mind wrench.”
“The sound design and music is wonderful, really draws me in.”
“It was so beautifully written, the art style was incredible, and the music...the music is why I fell in love with this game.”
“Music gave me a headache though.”
“Two hours is too long for this type of game, especially when the rooms look exactly the same and the music is pretty much looping.”
“I had to turn the music off in the second room as it was a bit much.”
- gameplay22 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The gameplay is described as immersive but often repetitive, with some players appreciating the atmospheric horror elements and exploration mechanics, while others find the core mechanics lackluster and poorly executed. While the game offers intriguing concepts and a decent setup, the reliance on repetitive tasks and minimalistic gameplay detracts from the overall experience. Despite these criticisms, many reviewers acknowledge the game's strong storytelling and psychological insights as its primary strengths.
“The gameplay is immersive and, per usual, my outcome was correct.”
“I already love the whole answering questions bit, but the fact that there's actual gameplay here as well?”
“This is possibly the best game out of the test series, just because of the added exploration mechanic and everything!”
“The advice given is solid and sound, but the gameplay is lackluster at best.”
“On top of that, adding in a 'collectible/secrets' kind of mechanic (especially one that requires having to replay the game again from scratch, where it can be a bit of a slog to get through) was not, in my opinion, a good choice.”
“And the biggest annoyance is how poorly the core mechanic of reading text boxes is handled.”
- emotional16 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its moving and heartfelt storytelling, often evoking strong feelings and even tears from players. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to create discomfort through its symbolism, while also providing a mix of fun, wholesomeness, and slight horror elements. Overall, players describe it as an emotional rollercoaster that leaves a lasting impact, making them feel better about themselves despite the intense experiences.
“It's all very moving and heartfelt.”
“I don't think I've ever played a game that made me cry this much.”
“The end made me cry-- the story was so moving along with the lesson.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming blend of dark pixel art and RPG Maker aesthetics, which effectively contribute to its spooky atmosphere. Players appreciate the simplicity and beauty of the visuals, often highlighting how the art style complements the game's narrative and music. Overall, the graphics are seen as a key element that enhances the overall experience, despite some noting a slower pace.
“I was always very curious and a bit on my toes thanks to the environmental craftsmanship, the music and sound, and the visuals.”
“I loved this game so much; the artwork is so beautifully (and creepily) done.”
“I don't know if it's thanks to the RPG Maker aesthetic or the dark pixel graphics, but the style... it just speaks in the right way.”
“Cute game and graphics, only a tad slow.”
“The graphics and sound are simple, but it's still by far the best game series I have ever seen; the developers, the supporters, everything about this game is perfect.”
- grinding5 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, with repetitive tasks like chasing butterflies and coins detracting from the overall experience. While some appreciate the effort to create a more involved gameplay, many feel that the repetitiveness and excessive dialogue prompts diminish enjoyment.
“I enjoyed the game, but I felt like all the repetitious chasing of butterflies and coins became a bit tedious.”
“After that point, seeing the two pages of dialogue stating the same exact thing about the journal fragments being of a different material every time became repetitive and tedious to click through.”
“The choices noted and autosave prompts get very tedious and take away from the experience.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is noted to be less prominent compared to previous installments, with some players finding the wit and comedic elements refreshing despite their personal growth affecting their perception. Overall, the humor is appreciated but feels more subdued in this iteration.
“The wit and humor scattered throughout the game is refreshing.”
“It's funny; if I had played this game a few years back, I would have answered so differently. But I have been through so much and learned so much that where I am now is a totally different person.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The game offers a decent level of replayability, primarily due to its short length and the presence of hidden secrets and multiple endings to discover. Players are encouraged to revisit the game to uncover missed items, enhancing the overall experience.
“Really good amount of replayability as well.”
“The game is also short, but has replay value if you want to find all the secrets and endings.”
“I sadly missed an item somewhere, but you could argue this adds replayability to the game.”
