Play the thought experiment adventure "The Hole in the Doughnut." The experience of answering questions without clear answers might serve as a catalyst for self-reflection [TGS2025]

“Drum’s Hole,” developed by Atsuki Miyamura and Kako Nikomi, is featured at the room6 booth during Tokyo Game Show 2025.

Thumbnail image No.001 / Playing the thought experiment adventure “Drum’s Hole.” The experience of answering questions without clear answers may become a catalyst for self-reflection [TGS2025]

This game, which bills itself as a “thought experiment adventure” that repeatedly poses questions without definitive answers, was originally unveiled at the Unity 1Week Game Jam and has been played around 200,000 times. The current version being developed is a full release incorporating numerous new elements, with an expected launch in 2026.

After playing it firsthand, I found not only its unique atmosphere but also that it prompted me to reconsider my own answers—so here’s a report on the experience. Note: this article covers content up to the end of the TGS exhibition version, so readers wishing to avoid spoilers should proceed with caution.

Thumbnail image No.002 / Playing the thought experiment adventure “Drum’s Hole.” The experience of answering questions without clear answers may become a catalyst for self-reflection [TGS2025]

At the title screen, a Western-style ghost-like character wearing a white cloth and flower crown appears. According to the Steam store description, this character is named “Me.” Pressing the button labeled “Close your eyes” (which starts the game), “Me” speaks: “I will ask you several questions from now on. There are no wrong answers or right ones—just answer however you feel.”

Thumbnail image No.003 / Playing the thought experiment adventure “Drum’s Hole.” The experience of answering questions without clear answers may become a catalyst for self-reflection [TGS2025]

Then “Me” pulls out a teapot and cup—but immediately drops the cup. After showing slight distress, it asks: “Can something still be your favorite even if it breaks?” Floating above two doors behind “Me,” words appear: “Still my favorite even if broken” and “No longer my favorite.” These are the choices.

Thumbnail image No.004 / Playing the thought experiment adventure “Drum’s Hole.” The experience of answering questions without clear answers may become a catalyst for self-reflection [TGS2025]

After hesitating slightly, I open the door labeled “Still my favorite even if broken.” Inside, a display shows the percentage of players who chose each answer: 62% selected “Still my favorite,” while 38% chose “No longer my favorite”—making me part of the majority.

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The game proceeds in this way—repeatedly asking for responses to “Me’s” questions—but it’s definitely not a mere survey. Instead, “Me” poses new questions based on your previous answers, transforming the experience into something more like conversation rather than simple Q&A. In some cases, you may even feel doubt about earlier choices.

During the demo, one question asked: “Which is more important—the actual experience or the memory left after?” I thought to myself, “Sometimes painful moments become good memories later,” and selected “memory” before moving forward. But this choice would prove significant in the final question.

Thumbnail image No.006 / Playing the thought experiment adventure “Drum’s Hole.” The experience of answering questions without clear answers may become a catalyst for self-reflection [TGS2025]

The final question was: “If, after waking up far away from this dream, I were to forget everything—would our conversation have had any meaning?” And “Me” delivers the question with a voice on the verge of tears.

Thumbnail image No.007 / Playing the thought experiment adventure “Drum’s Hole.” The experience of answering questions without clear answers may become a catalyst for self-reflection [TGS2025]

Faced with this, I felt compelled to reconsider—thinking something like “Well, no… I did say ‘memory’ earlier—but…”—and ultimately chose the “had meaning” door. Though I had been fairly confident in my initial choice of “memory,” it now felt shaken.

Thumbnail image No.008 / Playing the thought experiment adventure “Drum’s Hole.” The experience of answering questions without clear answers may become a catalyst for self-reflection [TGS2025]

Yet, there’s no unpleasant feeling of being “refuted.” Instead, I believe this is because “Me” genuinely acknowledges your prior answers before posing the next question—without any correct or incorrect response. The final question mentions “leaving this dream,” which ties back to an earlier choice where I answered “dream” when asked, “Where do you think this place is?”

Thumbnail image No.009 / Playing the thought experiment adventure “Drum’s Hole.” The experience of answering questions without clear answers may become a catalyst for self-reflection [TGS2025]

Interestingly, the most common response to this final question was “Makuhari Messe.” In that case, would the setup of the final question become something oddly realistic—“If you leave Makuhari Messe”?…

Recently, many people are using AI as conversation partners. But interacting with “Me” in this game might be even more impactful. Responding to questions based on your own previous answers comes close to self-reflection—an opportunity to look inward. Initially, I found the name “Me” strange, but by the end of the demo, it felt perfectly natural.

The full version will add hundreds of new questions, making storylines and branching paths even more complex. With its simple controls and short playtime, this game feels like a perfect choice for when you’re tired and want something thoughtful to enjoy briefly.

Thumbnail image No.010 / Playing the thought experiment adventure “Drum’s Hole.” The experience of answering questions without clear answers may become a catalyst for self-reflection [TGS2025]