Info about The Test: Hypothesis Rising:

Official game description:
(This game, as well as many others in our bundle, is FANTASTIC for Youtubers & Streamers to create content and engage with their audience. This creates a unique experience for all parties involved, and players playing the game themselves can enjoy the solo experience tremendously all on their own as well!)
**The Test: Hypothesis Rising**
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**The Test: Hypothesis Rising is the second chapter in a three-part trilogy. The Test series is a social experiment that can be classified as an atmospheric, psychological-simulation with horror elements. Dive into your own psyche and get answers to questions you've kept hidden deep, down inside. Unlock your mind in ways never done before and experience new found knowledge simply by taking, "_The Test: Hypothesis Rising_."  
In the second chapter of The Test series, the questions get bolder, the stakes get higher, and the results get more specific as we uncover more and more about what makes you... Well... You.  
You will answer a series of questions that will reveal things from deep within. These questions may make you uncomfortable, but with great knowledge comes great sacrifice. Can you make it all the way through The Test: Hypothesis Rising, and if you do, are you sure you want the answers you seek?
**Features:**
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*   Short and sweet  
*   Be a part of history with Player - Developer interaction  
*   The only series of its kind  
*   Very atmospheric and psychological  
*   Sit back, relax, and answer in-depth questions to reveal hidden truths  
*   Super affordable for a unique experience
**

Release date: Apr 27, 2020

Categories: Psychological Horror, Atmospheric Horror, Visual Novel, Interactive Fiction, Choice-based Narrative, Text-based Gameplay, Multiple Endings, Replayable


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $5.00 - $10.00
  - Reasoning: The community criticizes the full price as too high for an incomplete episodic release, but praises the game when bought on sale or at a low cost. This indicates a fair base-game price should be well below the full price, likely in the budget indie range of $5–10.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 1.0h
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: 2.0h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The review stating 'after taking twice as much to complete then the first game' indicates the target game takes twice as long as the first, which is described as a half-hour quiz in another review, yielding an estimated completion time of 1 hour. The '2 hour stream' provides a specific session length of 2 hours, while 'at least 1 hour stretches' supports a session length of at least 1 hour but is less precise. No evidence addresses story completion or endgame content, so those metrics remain null.
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes:
  - Series Veteran (buy)
    - Motivation: To experience the evolution of the series and see how the game builds on previous entries.
    - Playstyle: Plays through the game while actively comparing it to earlier installments, looking for improvements and familiar elements.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: horrorscope; the first test; the first game
  - Horror Enthusiast (sale)
    - Motivation: To experience atmospheric horror, effective scares, and emotional immersion.
    - Playstyle: Pays close attention to sound design, pacing, and horror mechanics, and evaluates the game's ability to create tension and fear.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Meta-Critic (sale)
    - Motivation: To engage with the game's meta-narrative, hidden messages, and the way it influences player perception and behavior.
    - Playstyle: Analyzes dialogue, secret words, and meta-commentary, and reflects on how these elements affect the overall experience.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Sequel improves on original (weight 0.55): Players consistently report that this game surpasses the first installment. The improvements include more meaningful questions, better background sound, and a more personal tone.
- Enjoyable and memorable experience (weight 0.5): Many players describe the game as amazing, fun, and memorable. The overall experience is positive, leaving players with a good feeling after finishing.
- Deeper and varied questions (weight 0.35): The game features more in-depth questions and a wider variety of question types compared to the first game. Players appreciate the move beyond simple yes or no questions.
- Eerie horror atmosphere (weight 0.34): The game successfully creates a creepy and eerie atmosphere with horror elements. Despite this, players find the experience comforting and even funny at times.
- Clever and engaging design (weight 0.26): Players find the game cool, interesting, and beautiful. It is described as clever and engaging, making it worth checking out.
- Thought-provoking gameplay (weight 0.22): The game is a great mental exercise that keeps the brain occupied. It is thought-provoking and makes the player think deeply.
- Meaningful and accurate results (weight 0.2): The result was meaningful and on point. Players feel the game provided a result that was very correct and accurate to their situation.
- Interesting and funny questions (weight 0.17): Players find the questions to be more interesting and funny compared to the first game. Some of the questions are particularly amusing.
- Humor and funny moments (weight 0.17): The game contains humor and made players laugh a lot. It has several funny moments that contribute to the overall enjoyment.
- Accurate and wholesome ending (weight 0.17): The game's final statement and results are accurate. The ending is described as wholesome, providing a satisfying conclusion.
- Diverse question variety (weight 0.17): The game offers a lot of variety in its questions, with different types and more diversity. This keeps the gameplay fresh and engaging.
- Uncomfortable questions in good way (weight 0.12): The game's questions are uncomfortable but in a positive way, pushing players to think. It offers more than just yes and no questions.
- Surprising and fun games (weight 0.12): Players find the games surprising and fun. The element of surprise adds to the overall enjoyment.
- Promotes self-understanding and honesty (weight 0.12): The game helps players gain a better understanding of themselves. It encourages players to be honest with themselves.
- Life-affirming and heartwarming (weight 0.12): The experience is life-affirming, heartwarming, and touching. It leaves players with a positive emotional impact.
- Brilliant philosophical ending (weight 0.12): The ending monologue is a treat, described as brilliant and true. The philosophical content at the end is highly praised.
- Helpful advice given (weight 0.12): The advice received from the game is still helpful and nice. Players appreciate the guidance provided.
- Replayable after long break (weight 0.12): The game remains fun to replay even after a long break. It is still enjoyable the second time around.
- Clever self-reflective questions (weight 0.12): Some questions made the reviewer ponder and question themselves. The questions are clever and promote self-reflection.

Common complaints:
- Inaccurate and generic analysis (weight 0.57): The final analysis and advice were often inaccurate, vague, and could apply to anyone, failing to provide meaningful personalization. This made the ending disappointing and unconvincing.
- Font is hard to read (weight 0.55): Multiple reviewers found the font type and red color difficult to read, causing eye strain and illegibility. The lack of an option to change the font exacerbates the issue.
- Worse than the first game (weight 0.43): Reviewers felt the sequel was corny, less profound, and not as memorable as the original. It was seen as a regression in quality and impact.
- Jump scares ruin experience (weight 0.38): Jump scares were considered out of place, cheap, and not scary, breaking immersion and suspense. They detracted from the overall horror atmosphere.
- Edgy and juvenile content (weight 0.34): The game tries too hard to be edgy with taboo topics like bestiality and incest, which came across as confusing and juvenile rather than disturbing. This clashed with the serious tone.
- Reused questions from first game (weight 0.27): Many questions were repeated or exactly the same as the first game, making the experience feel redundant. This contributed to the perception of it being a remaster rather than a sequel.
- Generic and copied answers (weight 0.22): The answers and advice felt generic, possibly copied from the internet, and lacked depth. This made the game feel shallow and unoriginal.
- More difficult and sadistic (weight 0.17): The game was perceived as more difficult and sadistic than the first, with harder questions and a harsher tone. This made it less enjoyable for some players.
- Crashes and no save (weight 0.17): The game crashed multiple times and lacked a save option, causing loss of progress. This technical issue significantly hindered the experience.
- Too much sexual humor (weight 0.17): Excessive sexual humor and uncomfortable questions made players progressively less comfortable. This content felt overboard and detracted from the game's purpose.
- Not a proper personality test (weight 0.16): The game was not seen as a proper personality test due to a lack of underlying theory and obscure, irrelevant questions. This undermined its credibility.
- Ending rehashes time advice (weight 0.12): The ending repeatedly emphasized the importance of time, feeling repetitive and preachy. This made the conclusion less impactful and more tedious.
- Lack of gameplay and short (weight 0.12): The game was criticized for having minimal gameplay and being very short. It felt more like a shallow experience than a full game.
- Fourth wall breaks immersion (weight 0.12): Excessive meta comments and fourth wall breaks, such as asking if the game is summoning something, broke immersion. This made the game feel less serious and more gimmicky.
- Advice can be harmful (weight 0.12): The game's life advice included suggesting contact with a harmful person, which could be dangerous for impressionable players. This raised concerns about the game's responsibility.
- Writing and comedy fail (weight 0.12): The writing was considered terrible, with comedy attempts failing and clashing with serious moments. This made the game feel disjointed and poorly executed.
- Shovelware and waste of time (weight 0.12): Some reviewers felt the game was shovelware made for a quick buck, with little effort put into quality. This led to a perception of it being a waste of time.
- Keyboard bindings disabled (weight 0.07): Certain keyboard bindings, like taking screenshots via Steam, were disabled, which frustrated players. This technical limitation was an unnecessary inconvenience.
- No save option on wrong answer (weight 0.06): The game lacks a save option when an answer is wrong, causing players to lose progress. This was a frustrating design flaw.

Gameplay feedback:
- Question-based quiz gameplay (weight 0.74): The game is primarily a question-and-answer experience with a variety of question types, including multiple-choice, open-ended, and hypothetical scenarios. It presents questions in different formats and provides results based on the player's answers.
- Horror elements present (weight 0.5): The game incorporates horror elements, making it a horror-focused experience. This includes an uneasy atmosphere, background sounds, and dark themes that distinguish it from a typical quiz game.
- Sequel in a series (weight 0.45): The game is a sequel in a trilogy, following previous titles like 'The Test' and 'The Test Hypothesis Rising'. It shares similarities with the first game but introduces newer questions and answers.
- Short game length (weight 0.36): The game is short in length, though some players note it is slightly longer than previous entries. It is packaged as a short experience, which may appeal to players seeking a quick playthrough.
- Psychological test with dilemmas (weight 0.27): The game is a psychological test featuring multiple-choice dilemma questions, often with horror elements. It presents ethical dilemmas and morality questions, making the player think deeply about their choices.
- Provides personalized advice (weight 0.27): The game offers personal assessments and advice based on the player's responses, often framed as truth-based feedback. This advice is a core part of the experience, making it feel tailored to the individual.
- Secret word mechanic (weight 0.26): The game provides a secret word to the player, often accompanied by an analysis. This mechanic adds a unique, personalized element to the quiz experience.
- Atmospheric and immersive (weight 0.21): The game includes background sounds, music during different acts, and scenes with laughter and red text, creating an immersive and uneasy atmosphere. This enhances the horror and narrative elements.
- Host character Fate (weight 0.18): The game features a host character named Fate, who guides the player through the questions and provides a narrative tone. This character adds a distinctive personality to the quiz experience.
- Uses Barnum statements (weight 0.17): The game uses Barnum statements to make the experience feel personalized, providing psycho-analysis of the player's traits. This technique makes the results seem accurate and personal.
- Varied question formats (weight 0.17): The game offers a quiz-like experience with varied questions, including open-ended and multiple-choice formats. It branches into four subsections, adding depth to the questioning.
- Ending monologue and conclusion (weight 0.17): The game provides an ending monologue and a conclusion, often philosophical in nature. This adds a reflective and atmospheric finish to the experience.
- References previous game answers (weight 0.17): The game refers back to answers from the first game, including a nun question that returns. This continuity rewards players who have played previous installments.
- Dark humour and hidden messages (weight 0.17): The game includes dark humour, hidden messages, and wordplay, as well as easter eggs and secret messages. These elements add depth and replayability for observant players.
- Open-ended results (weight 0.12): The game provides results that are open-ended and up for interpretation, and they can vary between playthroughs. This encourages replayability and personal reflection.
- Text-based experience (weight 0.12): The game is text-based, with no graphics or visuals beyond text. This minimalist approach focuses attention on the narrative and questions.
- Replayable test (weight 0.07): The game is a test that can be retaken, allowing players to see different results or explore different question paths. This adds to its replay value.
- More experience than game (weight 0.07): The game is described as more of an experience than a game, focusing on narrative and atmosphere rather than traditional gameplay. This makes it unique in the quiz genre.
- Internet quiz format (weight 0.06): The game follows an internet quiz format, similar to online personality tests. This makes it accessible and familiar to a wide audience.

Performance notes:
- Game crashes frequently (weight 0.14): Players report the game crashing multiple times, indicating a stability issue that disrupts gameplay.

Recommendations:
- Mixed recommendations overall (weight 0.89): Most reviewers recommend the game, though some advise against it. Positive recommendations often cite enjoyment, value, or series continuity, while negative ones call it a waste of time or money.
- Recommended for series fans (weight 0.22): Several reviewers suggest the game is worth playing if you've enjoyed previous entries or want to understand the larger story. It's seen as beneficial for building the bigger picture for later games.
- Worth trying despite flaws (weight 0.2): Reviewers suggest trying the game even if the ending is disappointing or if you take it with a grain of salt. The low price and potential for enjoyment make it a low-risk purchase.
- Not recommended by some (weight 0.17): A few reviewers strongly advise against playing, calling it trash, a waste of money, and a waste of time. One reviewer says it's not recommended for anyone.
- Specific game recommendations (weight 0.15): One reviewer recommends trying 'The Test' and suggests playing 'horrorscope' or the first test in order. Another recommends giving 'The Test' a try, indicating it's a notable part of the experience.
- High praise from some (weight 0.12): Some reviewers give strong endorsements, with one saying 'GET THIS GAME AND PLAY IT' and another highly recommending it. These positive reviews emphasize the game's worth and enjoyment.

Other player notes:
- Sequel compared to first game (weight 0.97): Many reviews compare this sequel to the first game in the series, noting differences in quality, tone, and coherence. Some find the first game better, while others appreciate the more consistent tone.
- Part of a trilogy (weight 0.53): The game is frequently identified as the second entry in a trilogy, with players noting the series structure and planning to play the final installment. Some mention the game is sold in three parts.
- Sequel to The Test (weight 0.33): The game is explicitly described as a sequel to 'The Test', with some reviews comparing it to that predecessor. The connection to the previous title is a common point of reference.
- Good value for price (weight 0.24): Several reviewers mention the game is inexpensive and worth the money, especially when purchased in a discounted bundle. The low price point is seen as a positive aspect.
- Anticipation for future releases (weight 0.23): Several reviewers express excitement about the future of the series, including the upcoming third installment and other projects. They are eager to see what the developers do next.
- Developers value community feedback (weight 0.17): Reviewers note that the developers actively use player reviews to improve the game and read every comment. This responsiveness is appreciated and seen as a positive trait.
- Longer than first game (weight 0.16): A few reviewers mention that the game takes longer to complete than the first installment, with one noting it takes twice as long. This is seen as a notable difference in length.
- Developers thanked for creativity (weight 0.15): Some reviews express gratitude towards the developers for creating unique and interesting games. The developers are praised for their innovative approach and dedication.
- Memorable and thought-provoking (weight 0.15): Some reviewers note that while they may not replay the game, they are certain they won't forget it. The game is compared to tarot cards and BuzzFeed quizzes for its self-reflection and personalization.
- Similar to previous games (weight 0.13): The game is noted to be similar in length and general idea to a previous game, and the speech is practically the same in both games. This suggests a formulaic approach.
- Horror elements need subtlety (weight 0.1): One reviewer gives feedback to the developers to be more subtle with horror elements, while another suggests the developer should stick with horror in the future. This shows mixed opinions on the horror aspects.
- Credits include player nickname (weight 0.08): The game has credits that include the player's nickname, and there is a warning to look at the full credits at the end. This personal touch is noted by a reviewer.
- Single entry satisfaction (weight 0.06): One reviewer mentions they would have been satisfied purchasing only one of the three entries, suggesting each part can stand alone. This is a niche opinion but relevant to the trilogy structure.
- Compared to other titles (weight 0.06): The game is compared to 'Horrorscope' and the first test, which the reviewer enjoyed more. This comparison provides context for the game's quality relative to other works.
- Continue option available (weight 0.05): One reviewer mentions the game has a continue option on the screen, which is a minor UI feature. This is a low-importance observation.

Emotions:
- Disappointment (weight 0.11): Players felt the sequel was a regression, offering a cookie-cutter and anticlimactic response compared to the first game. The ending was vague, the advice generic, and the game lacked the surprise and depth of its predecessor, with repeated questions and technical issues like crashes and no save system.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.09): Players found the game fun and engaging, with thought-provoking questions and accurate results. The experience was enjoyable alone or with friends, and the game remained fun to replay, with some appreciating the reflections on time and the quirky questions.
- Appreciation (weight 0.06): Players appreciated the game's meaningful questions, accurate advice, and the character of Fate. The ending monologue and the game's ability to help players be honest with themselves were valued, and the overall message and atmosphere were praised.
- Amusement (weight 0.05): Players were amused by the funny and interesting questions, including recurring jokes like the nun question. The game's accurate results that called out players and the humor, such as a dog accidentally answering questions, contributed to laughter and enjoyment.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.05): Players felt satisfied with the game's improvements, more meaningful questions, and accurate answers. The creepy theme, longer quiz, and the feeling of gaining self-understanding were appreciated, and the game was considered worth the money.
- Frustration (weight 0.04): Frustration arose from technical issues like crashes, a hard-to-read font, and long, tedious descriptions. The game's failure to integrate previous results and its poor writing and failed comedy also contributed to a negative experience.
- Interest (weight 0.03): Players found the game interesting, with intriguing questions and a psycho-analysis that broke down underlying traits. The mystery of the figure and the desire to see the rest of the series kept players engaged.
- Gratitude (weight 0.03): Players were grateful for the thought-provoking experience and the words they needed to hear. The developers' care in crafting the experience and the validating, caring ending were appreciated.
- Excitement (weight 0.03): Players were excited about the game's quality, which matched or exceeded the first, and looked forward to playing the third game. The presence of art and the trilogy, along with anticipation for more content, fueled excitement.
- Love (weight 0.03): Players loved the game as much as or more than the first, enjoying it with others and recommending it. The game's ability to change thinking, evoke emotion, and involve player decisions, along with the philosophical monologue, were highlights.
- Surprise (weight 0.03): Players were surprised by the game's personal nature and the accuracy of its results, which felt like being read like a book. The unexpected jump scares and the game's ability to reveal hidden truths added to the surprise.
- Sadness (weight 0.03): The game's ending and results brought many players to tears, touching on personal issues and making them feel like they were lying by continuing to exist. The emotional impact was strong, with some also reflecting on the state of the world.
- Curiosity (weight 0.02): Players were curious about the deeper meaning of the questions and the mystery of what was going on. The tough questions and the anticipation of how the RPG would turn out kept them thinking.
- Amazement (weight 0.02): Players were amazed by the game's accuracy and how it felt like looking at themselves. The quiz was genuinely accurate, and the overall experience was described as amazing.
- Fear (weight 0.02): The game was much more eerie than the last, with scary scenes, laughter, and red text creating an ominous atmosphere. The idea of showing one's authentic self and the horror elements made players check around the room.
- Annoyance (weight 0.02): Annoyance was caused by the hard-to-read font, repetitive questions, and pointless small talk. Receiving a generic personalized dev message that was an advertisement also irritated players.
- Liking (weight 0.01): Players liked the game's humor, horror elements, and overall experience, as well as the design for Fate and the experiment itself.
- Anticipation (weight 0.01): Players looked forward to more content, the shift of atmosphere during the game, and the conclusion of the series.
- Discomfort (weight 0.01): Players felt discomfort because the results were uncomfortably accurate, and the sex questions and progressive unease added to the feeling.
- Dislike (weight 0.01): Players disliked the font and the cheesy horror direction, which detracted from the experience.}