Lie-O-Meter

We’ve all wanted to know at one point or another in our lives whether someone is telling the truth or not. So with this in mind, there must be plenty of interest in the Lie-O-Meter application.

This application uses a ‘Worm’ which is a rather cute and slightly distracting animated character on the screen which asks you some questions or simply analyses the responses before telling you whether or not the answer was true or not.

As I’ve never really used a lie detector before, I found myself gravitating towards the tutorial to get to know a bit more about the programme. All the tutorial said (in some fairly interesting, broken English) was about the ‘Worm’ and how this is the original programme. I did appreciate the humour that was clearly used in the making of the game as apparently it’s important to exercise the ‘worm’ regularly and it’s best to not use the programme “near fridge magnets, squirrels and angry wives”. Although I’m sure magnets aren’t the most helpful thing at times I’d find it hard to question a squirrel and daren’t use this on a partner – particularly when angry!

When testing yourself, the best way to describe how this application works is quite like the ‘Magic 8 Ball’. Rather than getting answers to your questions, you have to answer the questions posed by the ‘worm’, after which it’s analysed and then the result is given to you. From my experience with this application, the ‘worm’ is determined to believe you’re a pathological liar as every single answer I gave, came back as a lie or half-truth at best!

To test others, this game allows you to ask three questions and have the ‘worm’ listen in when you’re ready. To do this, it’s recommended you ask closed ‘yes/no’ answered questions. Again, these answers are then analysed by the software’s ‘worm’ and you’ll get your answer.

To be honest the programme’s a good giggle, and shouldn’t be taken too seriously – although it could be useful in catching someone out, providing they’re a little gullible or naïve. In either case, this is an amusing little package which, if nothing else, the questions will keep you on your toes and the answers as well as the comical analytical comments from the ‘worm’ will put a smile on your face.

Rating 76%

Positives

Plenty of questions for you to answer, I was playing with it for a few hours and didn’t have a repeat question asked.

Humorous and light-hearted

Fun and fairly addictive

Negatives

The poor English at times makes the questions and instructions a little hard to understand and/or answer

After a few goes you may find your fascination with it ebb away

The software seems to believe everyone’s a liar, even when being truthful