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Community Playthrough #28: Gray Matter
Welcome everyone in the Gray Matter playthrough!!
Gray Matter, released in 2010, was the first game Jane Jensen created since GK3. It is a pure 3rd person point and click game, meaning that it can be played entirely with your mouse. The cursor automatically changes to specific actions depending on the object it points to. There is also a map for travelling to different locations and a notebook where basically you can revisit all previous dialogs.
The game is already conveniently divided in chapters. Each chapter requires completion of certain objectives. Bonus objectives are also available for every chapter but are not required to advance the main story. If you don’t know what to do next, the places in the map that still have things to be done for the chapter to finish are coloured differently.
There is an abundance of smart riddles within the game. However, one of the game’s unique element is that sometimes it is required a “magic trick” from the character. Since one of the main characters is a wannabe magician/trickster (see below), she will find an abundance of magic tricks in her magician’s handbook that can be used in several occasions. It is really easy. Basically, you just have to follow the handbook’s instructions.
The story is a dark one, a true JJ game. It is also a very interesting one, combining scientific and supernatural/paranormal elements with a really clever way. I am not going to tell anything else for the lack of spoiling. For it’s cutscenes, the game uses the GK1 comic style technique, which I personally like a lot.
There are two people that you take control in different chapters:
Samantha Everett: Sam is a novice, but really talented magician from Washington D.C. She had originally come to England to learn more about the secret “Daedalus Club” where only the world’s greatest magicians may join. However, due to twist of fate Sam becomes stranded in Oxfordshire when her motorcycle breaks down.
Dr. David Styles: A renounced Neurobiologist, with a dark past. A professor in Oxford University, he now lives in solace in his mansion called “Dread Hill”. He wears a “Phantom of the Opera style” mask most of the time. He has the major problem of having a voice and face in-game that belongs to a guy in his 40s and having a face of a guy in his 30s in cutscenes. Well, no one is perfect.
Since the game is divided in 8 chapters, I believe that 1 chapter per week is not too hard to follow. However, the first days will be spent in solving any technical difficulties, or simply give you time to obtain the game (if you don’t have it already). We will begin the first chapter in 17/6/14. It is a relatively new game though and I don’t expect we’ll have many problems. Whoever has the game installed and ready to go, please confirm it below.
Last but not least, the usual and necessary request to all participants to stay on-topic, use spoiler tags whenever needed and generally join in a good-heart spirit.
P.S: Pin the thread please.
Got the game installed and ready to go. Steam version
First time playing it.
Ready to go here as well. Downloaded when it first released from Games Planet (had to figure out how to follow the download instructions in German). This will be my second time playing it.
I have this game on my PC Netbook. Got it for $4 dollars from half-price books. Love the game - one of my favorite adventures of all time. 2nd playthrough.
I enjoy playing adventure games on my Alienware M17 r4 and my Nintendo Switch OLED.
I have the DRM-free ShinyLoot version installed and ready to play.
Installed and ready to go.
This will be the 2nd playthrough for me, i played it when it was originally released.
You have to play the game, to find out why you are playing the game! - eXistenZ
Installed and good to go!
I’m ready too! I also played it when it first came out.
Hey! What a good playthorugh, I’ve been meaning to replay it, and started it once or twice already but other things got in the way… I’ve got the (probably quite rare) XBox version. Hopefully I’ll be able to join in, too. At least I’ll try to comment even if I can’t follow on the playing.
This game even managed to expand my musical tastes a bit, with the Scarlet Furies (that opened the door to other music in that style, too).
Yay, a game I’ve actually played before! That means I can read the ENTIRE thread (including the spoilers) for once.
I’m interested in seeing how the playthrough pans out.
The truth can’t hurt you, it’s just like the dark: it scares you witless but in time you see things clear and stark. - Elvis Costello
Maybe this time I can be strong, but since I know who I am, I’m probably wrong. Maybe this time I can go far, but thinking about where I’ve been ain’t helping me start. - Michael Kiwanuka
Well people, I believe it is time to start playing!!
I understand that some of the people who voted for Gray Matter aren’t here yet, but rest assured that if more time is needed, then we will arrange it somehow.
In the first chapter, we take control Sam. Among others, we will take a walk on the streets of Oxford, play treasure hunt games, perform magic tricks and meet various people including a nice old lady, numerous students with different personalities and a mysterious store manager (IMHO the best character in the game).
You have until 24/6/14 to finish the first chapter.
Happy gaming!!
Tip of the week: Spacebar reveals the hotspots.
P.S: I have almost forgotten how great the graphics, the music and the voice acting are in this game…
P.S: I have almost forgotten how great the graphics, the music and the voice acting are in this game…
I agree. The graphics are great, it’s one of the more unique styles - it’s colorful, but edges with the “artistic” impression. The backgrounds look almost like a little art. And the piano theme is quite moody.
Recently finished: Four Last Things 4/5, Edna & Harvey: The Breakout 5/5, Chains of Satinav 3,95/5, A Vampyre Story 88, Sam Peters 3/5, Broken Sword 1 4,5/5, Broken Sword 2 4,3/5, Broken Sword 3 85, Broken Sword 5 81, Gray Matter 4/5\nCurrently playing: Broken Sword 4, Keepsake (Let\‘s Play), Callahan\‘s Crosstime Saloon (post-Community Playthrough)\nLooking forward to: A Playwright’s Tale
The game took me by surprise. Didn’t get it until well after it was released. And I loved it. The cut scenes were indeed nothing special but for a bargain bin game I couldn’t be happier.
I enjoy playing adventure games on my Alienware M17 r4 and my Nintendo Switch OLED.
I’m here and will be playing along. Only played it once before, when it first came out.
Never heard of the game, but if JJ made it I am sure it can’t be half bad.
I just need to get it from Steam and commandeer the computer, then I’m in.
Happy gaming!
Never heard of the game, but if JJ made it I am sure it can’t be half bad.
I just need to get it from Steam and commandeer the computer, then I’m in.
It’s 60% off in Steam now, only 4$.
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