The Hidden and Unknown is out on Steam for $2000 and is only 2 hours long
An indie developer called ProX has released The Hidden and Unknown в Steam for almost $2, despite only being a couple of hours long and looking shabby.
The essence of the project is that the game lasts a little less than two hours and is designed to issue a refund after its completion. In any case, the developer himself claims so.
If you do not complete the game within the specified time, then you are unlikely to get the money back. The whole project is a gambling experiment in which players challenge themselves with a solid bet at stake. The title has already received the first reviews in the store and there are no good ones, as expected!
According to page on Steam, The Hidden and Unknown released on January 23, 2023 and is called "a story-driven game that aims to expand its audience's perception of psychology and philosophy."
However, the screenshots offered on Steam certainly don't show the game as some incredibly high-budget product worthy of its staggeringly high price, as they are all simple, static screenshots with text boxes that look like something that can be found in the visual novel game.
The game has a total of eight reviews on Steam at the time of writing, with mixed reception. However, the review that over 1 users found most helpful stated that the game was "boring, badly illustrated, and offers a despicable worldview."
Interestingly, the developer spoke about his justification for the high price of the game. When asked by TheGamer about the decision behind the $2000 price tag, ProX said it was their "right" to rate the game so highly.
However, ProX has also acknowledged that many players can simply buy the game, get a quick look at the history, and request a refund if they want to. "...you can finish the whole story and then get your money back for the game to make sure you don't feel cheated."
According to policy steam, returns must be submitted within 14 days of purchase and the game cannot be played for more than two hours, so those interested in trying The Hidden and Unknown despite its high asking price should exercise caution.