CYBER GOMOKU GAMES

ORIGINAL BROWSER QUIZ

Reference Test

Vague memories × careful questions — identify a real book through research

Reference Test question screen with a bookstore in the background, where visitors talk about their vague memories of the book they are looking for.
Select the necessary clues from the visitor's story and answer the book title within the time limit.

What is Reference Test?

“I want to reread a book from years ago, but I can't remember the title.” Reference Test is a free browser game about identifying a real book from a visitor's vague memories.

It is not a trivia quiz that simply tests whether you already know the answer. Read the initial fragments, then ask about the title, cover, plot, or author. Inspired by library reference services, the game rewards both knowledge and the ability to ask useful questions and search for evidence.

Play Reference Test for free

reference-test.cybergomoku.com opens. No installation or registration required.

Differences between the web version and GamePix version (Book Detective)

Both editions revolve around finding a book, but their questions and intended play styles are very different.

Web edition: Reference Test

Research the titles of real books. Choose questions based on a visitor's vague memories, organize the answers, and search the web when the book is unfamiliar. Research is part of the game.

  • The answer is the title of an actual book
  • Use the visitor's memories of the cover, plot, author, and title as clues
  • Develop search terms and find supporting evidence online
  • Enter the answer as a Japanese book title
Play the web edition

GamePix edition: Book Detective

Solve self-contained puzzles with no prior book knowledge. Compare the clues and candidate conditions without researching real titles, then use your rewards in a bookstore management mode.

  • No prior reading knowledge or external book search required
  • Narrow the candidates by comparing the presented conditions
  • Collect books and develop your store in management mode
  • Self-contained sessions designed for GamePix
Play Book Detective

Choose the web edition to research real books. Choose Book Detective for self-contained puzzles and bookstore management.

Every question costs time

The question screen shows the visitor's initial description, an answer field, and buttons for requesting more clues. Each question reveals information but reduces the remaining time. Instead of asking everything in order, form possible answers from the current evidence and select the question most likely to narrow them down.

Ask about the title

Check what the visitor remembers about its wording or sound. The clue is direct but may still be vague.

Ask about the cover

Use remembered colors, patterns, illustrations, or binding details to distinguish similar candidates.

Ask about the plot

Gather more information about characters and events to narrow the search by story content.

Ask about the author

Check any memory of the author's name or background to narrow the possible works.

Reference Test screen with 1st question, score, remaining time, 4 types of question buttons and answer field
You can check the number of questions, score, and remaining time at the top of the screen. Questions have a time cost, so the order of your choices also affects your score.

How to play

  1. Read the initial memory: Identify remembered events, characters, and when the visitor encountered the book.
  2. Form candidates: Answer immediately if the evidence is enough; otherwise choose the most useful follow-up question.
  3. Trade time for information: Compare each question's time cost with its likely value. Research unfamiliar books on the web.
  4. Enter the title: Submit a Japanese book title and build your score across several rounds.
Screen displaying the Reference Test title, start button, and past performance field
The start screen shows past results and begins a new test. Afterward, you can submit a ranking score or share the result on X.

What you can try with this game

The theme is intended for people who enjoy quizzes, libraries, bookstores, or the process of searching for a half-remembered work. As you compare the initial description with later answers, consider which question would have been most valuable first.

Frequently asked questions

Can I play for free?

You can play for free. It runs on a browser and does not require app installation or account registration.

Can I play the game if I am not familiar with the book?

The web edition does not require you to know every answer, but it does require online research into real books. Choose Book Detective on GamePix if you prefer clues contained entirely within the game.

Will Book Detective also feature real books?

No. Book Detective uses fictional puzzle candidates and requires no knowledge of real titles. It also includes a bookstore management mode.

Can I play on my smartphone?

Yes, on smartphone and desktop browsers. The web edition requires an input method capable of entering Japanese book titles.

Other original games

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