Indie developers Cactile Games and dofhouse have released a physics-based platformer called Refund This Game, which challenges players to complete it in under two hours so they can claim a Steam refund.
Steam's refund policy allows players to return a game within two weeks of purchase if they have played for less than two hours. The developers have turned this policy into a game mechanic, encouraging players to beat the game quickly enough to qualify for a refund.
Gameplay and Challenge
Refund This Game is a first-person physics-based platformer where players must reach the end of a vertical level by sticking a pole into nearby objects and flinging themselves upward. The game launched on October 12 and is designed to be frustrating and challenging, with the Steam description comparing it to Getting Over It With Bennett Foddy, a game known for its deliberately difficult controls.
Unlike similar games like Biped 2, Refund This Game is a purely solo experience, so players have no one to blame for their failures but themselves. Players can place a checkpoint anywhere on the level, but they can only have one at a time and must manually carry it with them. To set a new checkpoint, players must backtrack to the previous one and return to their current position without dying.
Pricing and Reception
The game is priced at £3.67 during a launch discount that ends on October 26, after which the full price will be £4.59. Despite its viral potential, the game's all-time player count is only in the double digits, though this could change if notable streamers showcase it.
Players who have tried the game have left positive reviews, with some encouraging others not to refund it even if they beat it in two hours. One player, Brak, said, 'The game is fun, it’s a nice challenge though I think you shouldn’t refund games that you have enjoyed if it’s a reasonable price which it is.' Another player, rabidPancake, admitted, 'I wouldn’t refund this game even if I did complete it in two hours (I didn’t).'
