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Grayout app for iPhone and iPad


4.0 ( 7200 ratings )
Games Book Puzzle Word
Developer: Mrgan LLC
2.99 USD
Current version: 1.0.3, last update: 4 years ago
First release : 16 Dec 2015
App size: 36.91 Mb

“One of the most essential iOS games of the year. Proves just how interesting and vital gaming as a medium can be. 9/10” —Pocket Gamer

“Grayout is exceptional as a game, as a compelling narrative, as an experiment in communication. It is simple, poignant, and horrifying.” —Gamezebo

Grayout is an aphasiac text game set in a medical dystopia. It’s a prequel to the censorship game Blackbar.

In Grayout, you play Alaine, a rebelious resident of the totalitarian community called The Neighborhood, who wakes up in a hospital research lab following an accident… or so she is told. The game is a series of conversations with hospital staff, made challenging by Alaine’s post-traumatic aphasia—a disorder that affects one’s ability to process language.

Grayout simulates the experience of having a word on the tip of your tongue, the frustration of knowing what you mean but not how to say it, the feeling of being overwhelmed by the runaway thoughts inside your head and struggling to reign them in.

This is a game for fans of text adventures, interactive fiction, word puzzles, story-driven games, and emotional simulations.

“Marvelous.” —The Guardian, The best iPhone and iPad apps of 2015

“Liked Blackbar? This is harder but also cleverer. Lots more feels too. Prepare your brain.” —Sam Barlow of Her Story

We hope your stay in the Neighborhood Hospital is pleasant and brief. Get well.

Pros and cons of Grayout app for iPhone and iPad

Grayout app good for

A text adventure like no other, where the shortcomings of the interface are pivotal to the story. One of the most original ideas Ive ever played on my phone. Perfect for running through in a short amount of time or for just little pick-up sessions.
great game text writing words choose player emotion feeling empathy challenging head brain scratching puzzle think think think colour design narrative evocative imagination create world sky stars five stars
I am sooo addicted to this App! If you are A.D.D. you may not like it. VERY CHALLENGING!

Some bad moments

Would have made a great dystopia short story but as a word game not so good. I found the game awkward. I didnt enjoy it. But the story was great!
I love these style of games and this is incredibly good. Like a killer sci-fi novel set in a future you never want to live in.
On screen 33, the green one after Eston says hes a "slopoke," theres no dialog, only the word cloud. Is this intentional? Also, a hint about what the character is feeling would be nice in a future revision. nothing sophisticated, mind you, because of the word salad thing with the brain. but a single word like "confused" or "ouch" might be nice. other than that, rad game! nice work on this. thoughtful visual and sound design.
Like its predecessor, blackbar, this is a great dystopian tale wrapped in a novel puzzle... but gameplay is way too short
Games can exist purely for fun or challenge, but they can also be a new medium for storytelling. This game is an engaging method of telling a story, while still being fun and challenging. I have to admit to using a guide for 3 pages, but it was because it was like a book I couldnt put down. A couple of the phrases could be more accepting of slightly different order. Otherwise excellent. I hope we get more games like this and Blackbar.
Bravo to the developers! The mix and pacing of easy and difficult steps is very good. On several occasions I needed to put Grayout aside for a while in order to think of a different perspective. The challenge continues all the way to the ending credits.