Metascore
72 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 27 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 27
  2. Negative: 1 out of 27
  1. Mar 13, 2011
    91
    Misdirection, manipulation, and an inventory filled with objects are the tools of the stage magician, but they're also the basics of the adventure-game genre. Why it's taken so long for the two to be combined is anyone's guess, but in Gray Matter, the fit is so natural that it seems like it's the way adventure games always should have been.
  2. Apr 19, 2011
    90
    Overall, this is an exceptional game that will grab hold of your senses while you play and put you in a state of immersion that few games can match, much like the very best of its spiritual predecessors. A few audio/visual foibles and a slow, methodical pace might drive some players away, but for anyone who is interested in quality adventure titles or relaxing, contemplative gameplay experiences, I couldn't recommend this game more.
  3. Mar 21, 2011
    90
    The best adventure game of the last five years. Possibly, of the next five years as well. [Feb 2011, p.91]
  4. Feb 12, 2011
    90
    Gray Matter is probably the best adventure game of the last years: it provides new ideas and fresh experiences, finally treating players as adult people. Perfection is not of this world, but this game goes very close to it.
  5. Feb 12, 2011
    85
    This game would have been an oasis in the desert had it been released four or five years ago, but it still achieved to stand out in a genre with many other great adventures, thanks to its great story and puzzles.
  6. Feb 12, 2011
    82
    Gray Matter is a great adventure. Lovely graphics, an engaging story, and logical puzzles make this game a great pastime for those looking for a funny point and click adventure.
  7. Feb 12, 2011
    81
    What do you expect from an Adventure Game? Is it the story, the immersion? Then Gray Matter will be perfect for you. But if you prefer great graphics and presentation, you should rather skip it, unless you are an Xbox 360-only adventure gamer.
  8. Mar 14, 2011
    80
    Jane Jensen, creator of the Gabriel Knight-series, aims high and has created a incredible game that proudly takes place amongst the greatest adventure games of all time.
  9. Mar 10, 2011
    80
    The puzzles could use some polish, and in the case of the final chapter, they're downright annoying, but the compelling narrative and strong characters are more than enough to keep most gamers playing right through to the surprisingly satisfying conclusion.
  10. Mar 7, 2011
    80
    Gray Matter presents an exciting, intriguing and well researched mystery, which coupled with memorable characters and enjoyable puzzles makes this game a "must have" for every point & click adventure game fan out there.
  11. Feb 12, 2011
    80
    Gray Matter is an serious and amazing adventure in a simple but well-organized development and a surprising plot. It would be one of that titles that everyone remember with special affection if published 20 years ago, but unfortunately it comes at a very weak moment for its genre. Required for all lovers of adventure games.
  12. Feb 12, 2011
    80
    Jane Jensen has done it again. Her brand new adventure has a great atmosphere, characters to remember and a classy graphic design. It may no be the new Gabriel Knight, but Gray Matter it's definetly worth your money.
  13. Feb 12, 2011
    80
    Gray Matter is a typical point & click adventure with a deep storyline and a stunning atmosphere. Apart from the lack of action it's a game which is worth a try.
  14. Feb 12, 2011
    80
    Gray Matter entails thanks to a very good story from Jane Jansen, with good characters and rich situations. But the gameplay will be a disappointment for point & click fans. Too easy, it also suffers from some real flaws in design, shortcomings that have a knack for killing an atmosphere that the production values already have trouble to maintain... If the story is all that matters to you, then it's well worth playing.
  15. Feb 12, 2011
    77
    What a game Gray Matter could have been if the developers would have been able to deliver more than second rate puzzles. Still, if you like adventures, you should give it a try.
  16. Apr 27, 2011
    75
    Gray Matter's winding story and masterful presentation captivate enough to hold everything together, particularly as the tale reaches its bizarre climax in the final chapters.
  17. Mar 17, 2011
    75
    I still find it refreshing that in a time where so many games assume the "more is more" addage, there are still a lot of thoughtful games out there that take their time to build atmosphere and story, and give players a bit of pondering time, rather than relying on reflexes (or frequent use of the autosave function). Gray Matter is definitely one of these games.
  18. Feb 16, 2011
    74
    A welcome return for one of adventure gaming's patron designers, if not quite a glorious return to form.
  19. Feb 12, 2011
    74
    Gray Matter makes the most of its small scale. There are no mad supervillains, and no one here wants to plunge the world in the eternal darkness. This is a convincing, emotionally mature story about grief, estrangement, and longing to be with a beloved person.
  20. Mar 9, 2011
    70
    A great narration job is partly betrayed by terrible animation and a sketchy finale.
  21. Mar 1, 2011
    70
    Prosaic puzzles take the edge off this point-and-click adventure's absorbing melodrama.
  22. Feb 28, 2011
    70
    Gray Matter weaves an intriguing tale that will please adventure game fans, but won't necessarily impress them.
  23. 70
    It took seven years to create this remarkable game. The story and characters are written so well it would have been better if Gray Matter was made into a novel or movie rather than a videogame. [Dec 2010]
  24. Mar 31, 2011
    60
    Jensen can weave a fine tale, but she's forgotten what it takes to craft an enjoyable point-and-click puzzle. [Apr 2011, p.67]
  25. 50
    An ambitious slice of interactive fiction but not really a very good video game, with unsatisfying and often perfunctory puzzles.
  26. Feb 12, 2011
    50
    The game requires very little of what its title suggests. (…) If you make a leap of deduction, the game won't proceed until your character, through exhaustive dialogue choices and object examinations, has caught up. [Feb 2011, p.98]
  27. Mar 30, 2011
    40
    Beyond the poor dialogue, patchwork visuals and ridiculous interface of the console version, there is an interesting adventure game buried here.
User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 19 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. We didn't see very often in adventure games the same product quality like Gray matter. The game has bring a fresh air to this kind of games, has a nice lyric story, nice graphics and memorable characters. Nice game for all the adventure fans. Full Review »
  2. 8
    Being a huge fan of the Gabriel Knight series, I was looking forward to this for years. And I have to say it... only partly disappointed. Yes, it is not the genius game that I would have hoped for. Not as dark as I had hoped (which I was already afraid of when i saw the age rating for the first time) and sometimes, the production value was disappointing. Not in terms of gameplay graphics though. In my opinion, those are absolutely gorgeous and quite a bit more detailed than I expected! In harsh contrast to back then when I first played Gabriel Knight 3, which was not on par with games released back then. No, what was disappointing in terms of production value to me was the fact that apparently, at least two major characters were dubbed by the same voice actress. Maybe even three. I simply was unable to get over that. The cheap style of the cut scenes was also not something I particularly enjoyed but I was able to get used to that after a while. As far as other things are concerned... I felt that the difficulty was alright, I actually applaud the fact that there were only roughly as much as needed interactive objects in the environment (pretty much like Gabriel Knight 2 & 3, not the confusing mass of details as in "classic" adventure games such as also for instance Gabriel Knight 1) and the story clearly has its Jane Jensen mark (which I consider to be a very good thing). So all in all, I hope that this will generate enough budget for there to be a sequel and hopefully the few issues mentioned above will be taken care of then. I would love nothing more than to have another true Jane Jensen masterpiece in my hands. Full Review »
  3. 8
    This game has several flaws, and it is not as good as Gabriel Knight 1 and 3. But i do think it's better than The Beast Within in many aspects. As an adventure game it does stand out, and is a good one. However, you can see that the budget was limited at several points, such as the graphics, though this does not necessarily have to be seen as a problem, as long as you're willing to swallow the lack of animations nad de facto 2D backdrop. The acting is decent, as is the story. Both main characters are charismatic in their own ways. The first chapter may seem as a bit slow, but it picks up speed quickly, and manages to glue you to the screen (Well, at least it glued ME to the screen). A pretty good game, which represents a genre that sadly seems to have been forgotten by many. Also, I hope that we can see more of Jane Jenson's games in the future. Full Review »