Gray Matter

1. ChoicestGames

   Dec 11, 2012

   9

   This is old-fashioned adventure gaming with a 21st century veneer. For the adventure gaming veterans, this is heaven. Gabriel KnightThis is old-fashioned adventure gaming with a 21st century veneer. For the adventure gaming veterans, this is heaven. Gabriel Knight writer/designer Jane Jensen returns to create another paranormal mystery game with challenging puzzles and an intriguing plot.… Expand

   • 5 of 5 users found this helpful
2. BSim500

   Dec 21, 2014

   9

   Great art design & soundtrack. Voice acting is OK though 1 or 2 more additional voice actors would have been welcome. Original well writtenGreat art design & soundtrack. Voice acting is OK though 1 or 2 more additional voice actors would have been welcome. Original well written and immersive plot (keep 'em coming Jane Jensen). The puzzles for the most part made sense and the "magic interface" was original and very well done. Cutscene GFX aren't the best though it doesn't detract from the gamplay and the game does have a good atmospheric feel. Definitely worth a playthrough overall.… Expand

   • 0 of 2 users found this helpful
4. light_messiah

   Jun 20, 2020

   8

   I like this game. I understand its flaws. And I think that, objectively, this is just a game above average. But according to my personalI like this game. I understand its flaws. And I think that, objectively, this is just a game above average. But according to my personal feelings, she is very good. In addition, captivates and enchants with its music!… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
5. Rox22

   Sep 27, 2013

   8

   Far from perfection, this is a game that was made for for fans of old school adventure games. i.e. me.
   
   Every moment playing this gameFar from perfection, this is a game that was made for for fans of old school adventure games. i.e. me.
   
   Every moment playing this game brought me back to the old days. Grey Matter reminds me allot of the Gabriel Knight & Broken Sword series and the experience is just as good. Fantastic visuals, wonderful writing, deep and well thought out character and talented voice acting.
   
   Why don't I score this higher? For all it greatness, this game also is a testament that this style of game is dated and obsolete and adds a further reminder that these kinds of games are gone for good.
   
   Overall:
   A definite must for all old school gamers. As dated and done to death as this formula is, it's still nice to do it one last time.… Expand

   • 1 of 1 users found this helpful
6. doyourealize

   Mar 29, 2011

   8

   It would be easy to harp on the problems with Gray Matter (slow-moving, some awkward conversations, leaps in logic), but that would beIt would be easy to harp on the problems with Gray Matter (slow-moving, some awkward conversations, leaps in logic), but that would be ignoring what it is supposed to be. Point-and-click adventure games, at their heart, tell a story with the help of the player. So one way to rate the game would be to rate how appealing the story is, and Gray Matter's story is intriguing and well-paced, littered with interesting characters. At times, the voice acting can fall flat, but in a $30 game (I got mine for $15, downloaded from Amazon), this is not a problem, and the acting is far from distractingly bad, ala Final Fantasy X and others.
   
   The heart of the story revolves around Samantha Everett, a stage magician who uses tricks (illusions, Michael!) to get what she needs from others. The magic interface is well done, and you find yourself looking forward to the next time you have to use your magic book and various items to dupe a student or professor. There are actually several things happening in Sam's life, both on her own and within her new "job" as assistant to Dr. Styles, a reclusive ex-professor at Oxford (where the majority of the game takes place) who now stays home and conducts endless experiments in his basement. The game deserves credit for bringing all these plot points together competently.
   
   The other way to grade the game would be the content of the puzzles, and as far Gray Matter goes, the puzzles are not only satisfying, but actually fit organically into the story, a place where many adventure games fail. At no point will you be forced to complete a non-sensical sliding block puzzle just because the developers aren't original enough to come up with anything else. Sure, there are a few puzzles that seem to stretch the rules of ordinary logic, but nothing so jarring that you lose the sense of immersion.
   
   There are minor annoyances, as well. Some were mentioned earlier (and it should be noted that while the game moves slow, the music is good enough that you never really mind), but something that can be particularly bad is that only a handful of areas stretch beyond the confines of one screen, and it can be unclear when you are in one of these areas. If what you need to solve the puzzle is just off the screen, it may take you a while to figure out. Luckily, there are guides to get you through some of the smaller actions you need to take that aren't quite clear, these included.
   
   Overall, Gray Matter deserves your attention if you enjoy this type of game. The story is interesting and well-written, pushed forward by puzzles that never lose their sense of place.… Expand

   • 3 of 3 users found this helpful
7. MadAdventurer

   Jul 2, 2023

   7

   A very good game with an interesting story. It has its flaws (the magic system), but I wish so much see the second game... the plot was veryA very good game with an interesting story. It has its flaws (the magic system), but I wish so much see the second game... the plot was very interesting!… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
8. Broyax

   Mar 16, 2017

   2

   Jeu d'aventure à l'ancienne... quoique le genre est ancien en soi et le voir adapté sur console est assez rare. Une adaptation plutôtJeu d'aventure à l'ancienne... quoique le genre est ancien en soi et le voir adapté sur console est assez rare. Une adaptation plutôt perfectible dans l'ensemble d'ailleurs même s'il reste graphiquement réussi.
   
   La musique neuneu qui tourne en boucle prend bien la tête et les voix (en anglais) ne sont clairement pas convaincantes. L'ambiance estudiantine et ses "tours de magie" (sic) tout aussi neuneus ne donne pas trop envie non plus. Quand on vient à être bloqué dans l'histoire la faute à un bug ou une défaillance du système de jeu (ce qui revient au même) on se dit qu'on a perdu son temps et que le genre est décidément voué à disparaître, définitivement sclérosé par ses mécaniques d'un autre temps.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful

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