Ive known about the release of this game for a while but didn't think it would interest me as i normally like horror adventure games..... How wrong was I!!

The storyb line in this game is very emotional and gripping, with unexpected twists. The graphics are fantastic, you find youself looking at a new screen for a while taking in all the fine details.

As for the game play there are plenty of objects to find use and combine, also riddles to solve and research to complete. My only complaint with this game is there are some tricky hotspots to find before being able to carry in to the next chapter, but that is probably more me than the game itself. I wouls highly recommend this game to any adventure fan this was a game I was sad to finish.

I love this game. Granted, there are a few discrepancies here in the quality here and there, but overall, if you're an adventure game fan, this should hold you off until Jane's next title.

The voice acting is pretty good. It's not especially memorable, but it gets the job done. My only problem with the voices is that some lines tend to sound softer than others, but even though you're likely to take notice of it, I'd say it won't really draw any complaints.

The atmosphere of the game is fabulous, thanks to fantastic 2D artwork. I never felt bored because every area was aesthetically pleasing/intriguing to look at, from the calm, serene surroundings of Timmons Park to the morose, dreary walls of Dread Hill House's basement. It took me some time to get used to 2D cutscenes (as opposed to FMV or 3D), but after I got past a few of them, I started to like them a lot. Even though there's nothing flashy about moving stills, more than just being functional, the artwork also really conveys the mood, which is probably difficult to do in 3D without a big budget. In the end, the cutscenes really grew on me, and I found myself just wanting to watch more of them.

The music also helps set the mood very well. It never felt out of place (though towards the final puzzle it did feel weird to hear the music mingle with the environmental sounds), and in fact it's very memorable. It's suitably pensive without too many emo overtones, and very mellow, without making me fall asleep.

The writing is great too, though the suspense falls short and becomes quite predictable at some point.

Lastly, the animations are a mixed bag. The walking/running animations are great, but other animations leave much to be desired. The game is also guilty of the "characters standing around and doing nothing" syndrome, but, while noticeable, is not glaring enough to keep reminding you of it. Also, on a quick note, I don't like the character faces that appear beside subtitles. The angles could have been better, as the current one makes the faces look emotionally stunted (read: very strange and off-putting).

In the end, I thoroughly enjoyed the game despite going in with mild expectations. I was excited to play it, but I wasn't expecting something to wow me, so when I finally finished the game, I was really impressed. I can't compare it to Gabriel Knight - my most recent memory of the Gabriel Knight series was that 3 was good but not groundbreaking; anything else beyond that is hazy (because let's be honest, 15 years between The Beast Within and the present is a long time), but if I have to compare it to my most recent adventure gaming experience Gemini Rue - which still tops the list of my favourite adventure games in recent years - Gray Matter comes a close second. I really can't wait for the sequel, or at least a spiritual successor. Gray Matter is a masterpiece IMO, and while it's not the best I've ever seen, is easily recommendable to adventure gaming fans.

Decent game, nothing like the Gabriel Knight series, but a fun throwback. Jensen has talent and kept me playing the game non-stop all the way through.

Awesome point & click game with amazing dark atmosphere and art design. If you're a fan of adventure games you'll enjoy this as much as the old days of gaming.

I'd been waiting for this game for awhile... And I'm glad I found this site rather than buying it at full retail. The female character's storyline was fun and thought-provoking, but the scientific side, not so much. The graphics and cut-scenes were absolutely beautiful, the music was atmospheric but some of the movment was simply infuriating- especially trying to run- it felt as though the characters' had to build up the courage first.

The ending was rushed. The game davs musct've run of time and thought 'What ending is quickest and makes sense without having to think about it?'

This one.

I am really glad I purchased and played this game- but I thought it would be a touch more cerebral and less 'blah'