The action of Gray Dawn takes place in 1920 in an English village. The main character of the production is Father Abraham. The priest is a very interesting character. Not only did he perform exorcisms, but he was also accused of murdering several children. What's more, the clergyman fell in love with a prostitute. As a result of these events, apparently he went mad, because every now and then he has some visions, and at some point he also goes to purgatory or hell. What is the point of all this and how was it really? Answers to these questions will be obtained during the game (some events can be interpreted in many ways), and the most important issue will be clarified just before seeing the inscription "the end".
Thanks to Gray Dawn, we can get to know Romanian culture and rituals, even partially. Deep believers will feel affected in some way by what can be seen in the reviewed title. Although the game takes up various religious themes, it is not addressed to those who have creeps all over their bodies when they see a bloody cross. Especially since this is not all that awaits us. During the game you have to go by boat. However, this is no ordinary boat, but... a coffin, and instead of oars, there are crosses. Besides, the hero visits something like hell, where he wades in blood. So there's no need to convince anyone that when Gray Dawn gets louder, Interactive Stone may become famous not for its high quality but for its controversy.
Gray Dawn deserves a lot of praise on various levels. In front of the line are really atmospheric locations filled with icons, crosses and symbols. Already in the first, closed area, being a kind of parsonage, we can appreciate the artistry of Romanian designers who managed to create an amazing atmosphere. A moment later, when we go outside, we will also make a big "wow", seeing an incredibly refined, though in fact very tiny area. But you can complain about recycling. Throughout the game, which, as I said before, takes only four hours to complete, we come back to the same places many times. This, of course, has its justification in the plot, but still it could have been solved in a different way.
Selected locations in Gray Dawn are available in two versions. Thanks to the mysterious music box, our hero changes the seasons (from summer to winter and vice versa), which is necessary to solve some puzzles. Some passages are open in sunny weather, others are closed when the trees are covered in white fluff. Speaking of puzzles, it is worth mentioning that they are not complicated. On the contrary - even players who do not deal with video games on a daily basis can cope with them. That's why I described Gray Dawn as a walking simulator in the title. There is a lot of truth in it, because Interactive Stone put a lot of emphasis on history, not complicated gameplay.
The fact that the first violin in Gray Dawn is played by the plot, not the gameplay, is also evidenced by the way the creators approach to solving puzzles. During the game we collect items that are included in our inventory. However, we cannot review them in any way, because we learn about what we have in our inventory only by means of icons visible in the lower right corner of the screen. And if, for example, we have a key and there is a door next to it, a special paw will appear on it, suggesting that we can make an interaction here. If we had a cup, there would be a question mark instead of a foot. This means that we can't use everything on everything, coming to a solution to the puzzle by trial and error. The game allows us to use the item only in the intended place and nowhere else.
Together with the phenomenally designed locations there is a great visual setting. Gray Dawn delights with his landscapes, but sometimes he can even disgust the player with the sight of strange creatures or ubiquitous blood. On top of that, there is the atmospheric soundtrack, which also has a huge impact on the specific atmosphere of the Interactive Stone independent studio's work. However, the atmosphere is disturbed by poor voice-acting. Those who lend their voices to the characters simply read their lines instead of playing them in any way (a bit like a school play). It's a pity, because there are many places where one should even shout or cry.
Not everyone will like Gray Dawn, but still there is a production that is worth giving a chance. The puzzles are simple, but varied and interestingly designed, the story captivates from the very beginning and the graphics can delight. However, if you are counting on a real adventure, you will feel disappointed, because the game does not offer any challenge. You must also remember that the authors - colloquially speaking - in many places drive on the gang, which can also affect the negative perception of the production among believers.
