Game review: Gray Matter

Published on Wednesday 19 January 2011 19:26

The point-and-click genre has seen a resurgence in recent years; with revamped editions of classics such as Monkey Island and runaway franchises such as Back to the Future receiving similar treatment.

Gray Matter is another strong entry in a long line of point-and-click adventures from genre veteran Jane Jensen, creator of the acclaimed Gabriel Knight PC series.

The plot follows aspiring magician Sam Everett as her bike breaks down while travelling to the Daedalus magic club in London.

Finding herself stranded outside Oxford without shelter or supplies, Sam is forced to take refuge in the mysterious mansion of twisted professor David Styles, spurring a chain of events that tasks the player with thinking laterally to overcome a variety of conundrums.

Players must interact with Sam's surroundings, place useful items in her inventory and speak with local residents for information.

The plot will keep you hooked throughout, while Sam herself is a likeable lead, providing enough humour and wit to match some of the genre's greatest leading characters.

Add to this Robert Holmes' stunning musical score and a slew of intricately hand-drawn locales, and it's impossible to resist the game's charm.

Using Sam's knowledge of magic tricks adds further weight to puzzle-solving, opening up unique ways of overcoming problems. Gray Matter will attract any gamer who enjoys a good brainteaser.

Gray Matter

29.99, PC/Xbox 360

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This article was first published in The Scotsman, 05 February, 2011

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