{{Short description|2023 survival horror game}} {{Infobox video game | title = Greyhill Incident | image = Greyhill Incident cover.jpg | developer = Refugium Games | publisher = Perp Games | director = Aaron Roller | designer = Aaron Roller | programmer = Aaron Roller | writer = {{ubl|Aaron Roller|Alwin Roller}} | composer = Eric Gordon Berg | genre = [[Survival horror]] | released = June 9, 2023 (PC)<br>June 13, 2023 (console) | platforms = {{ubl|[[PlayStation 4]]|[[PlayStation 5]]|[[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]|[[Xbox One]]|[[Xbox Series X/S]]}} }}
'''''Greyhill Incident''''' is a 2023 [[Survival horror|survival horror game]] developed by Refugium Games and published by Perp Games. The game revolves around an [[alien invasion]] in the fictional town of Greyhill. It was released for [[PlayStation 4]], [[PlayStation 5]], [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[Xbox One]], and [[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]] in June 2023.
''Greyhill Incident'' received negative reviews from critics, who criticized its plot, gameplay, and dialogue, although its environment and visual design was praised.
== Overview == ''Greyhill Incident'' takes place in 1992 in the fictional town of Greyhill,<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2023-06-19 |title=Greyhill Incident Review (PS5) - Forget What You Saw Out There |url=https://www.psu.com/reviews/greyhill-incident-ps5-review/ |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=PlayStation Universe |language=en-US}}</ref> which is terrorized by an [[alien invasion]] of [[grey aliens]]. Players take the role of Ryan Baker, a [[conspiracy theorist]] whose son is abducted by the aliens.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2023-06-09 |title=Greyhill Incident Review: An Inhuman Experience |url=https://www.thegamer.com/greyhill-incident-review/ |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=TheGamer |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Northup |first=Travis |date=2023-06-10 |title=Greyhill Incident Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/greyhill-incident-review |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> Its premise was compared to alien films like [[Signs (film)|''Signs'']] (2002), [[Men in Black (1997 film)|''Men in Black'']] (1997), [[Independence Day (1996 film)|''Independence Day'']] (1996) and the television series ''[[The X-Files]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-26 |title=Greyhill Incident Horror Game Shows Creepy Encounters With Grey Aliens |url=https://gamerant.com/greyhill-incident-aliens-gameplay-trailer/ |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=Game Rant |language=en}}</ref>
Players must use the game's [[Stealth game|stealth mechanics]] to evade aliens by hiding in cars and trash cans as they complete quests to help other residents of the town. Players can combat aliens with a baseball bat and a revolver, although ammunition is limited in-game. They are also able to use a [[mechanically powered flashlight]].<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />
== Development == ''Greyhill Incident'' is the first game from the [[indie developer]] Refugium Games.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2023-06-09 |title=Greyhill Incident Review: Grey Alien Conspiracy Better Left Covered Up |url=https://screenrant.com/greyhill-incident-ps5-review/ |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=Screen Rant |language=en}}</ref> Refugium originally intended to release the game on [[Personal computer|PC]] but partnered with publisher Perp Games in 2022 to develop console editions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=Mike |date=2022-12-05 |title=Alien Invasion Game 'Greyhill Incident' Expands to Consoles for Next Year [Trailer] |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/video-games/3742564/alien-invasion-game-greyhill-incident-expands-to-consoles-for-next-year-trailer/ |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=Bloody Disgusting! |language=en-US}}</ref> The game was released on [[Steam (service)|Steam]] for PC on June 9, 2023. It was released on [[PlayStation 4]], [[PlayStation 5]] and [[Xbox Series X and Series S]] on June 13.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UFO Horror Game THE GREYHILL INCIDENT Is Arriving At Just The Right Time |url=https://www.fangoria.com/original/ufo-horror-game-the-greyhill-incident-is-arriving-at-just-the-right-time/ |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=FANGORIA |date=7 June 2023 |language=en}}</ref> A physical edition, called the "Abducted Edition", with additional content was released for PlayStation 5 in July 2023, with physical editions for PlayStation 4 and Xbox also in development. This edition allows users to play the game in "[[Found footage (film technique)|found footage]]" mode, which imitates the appearance of [[camcorder]] footage.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-15 |title=Physical Edition Of UFO Horror Game GREYHILL INCIDENT Available Now |url=https://gametyrant.com/news/physical-edition-of-ufo-horror-game-greyhill-incident-available-now |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=GameTyrant |language=en-US}}</ref> The "Abducted Collectors Edition" includes a physical copy of the game, the digital soundtrack for the game, a newspaper clipping describing the events of the game, and a manual for creating a tinfoil hat.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=Mike |date=2023-06-07 |title='The Greyhill Incident' Teases Its Console Release With a New Trailer [Watch] |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/video-games/3765092/the-greyhill-incident-teases-its-console-release-with-a-new-trailer-watch/ |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=Bloody Disgusting! |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Reception == Prior to its release, ''Greyhill Incident'' was included on several lists of the most anticipated horror games of 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-01 |title=Every Major Horror Game Confirmed for 2023 |url=https://gamerant.com/horror-video-games-2023/ |access-date=2023-07-20 |website=Game Rant |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=updated |first=Louise Blain last |date=2022-11-05 |title=Upcoming horror games for 2023 and beyond |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/upcoming-horror-games/ |access-date=2023-07-20 |website=gamesradar |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Aich |first=Srabana |date=2023-01-19 |title=Rely On Horror's Most Anticipated Horror Games of 2023 |url=https://www.relyonhorror.com/articles/rely-on-horrors-most-anticipated-horror-games-of-2023/ |access-date=2023-07-20 |website=Rely on Horror |language=en-US}}</ref> After release, the game received "generally unfavorable" reviews from critics, according to [[review aggregator]] website [[Metacritic]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Greyhill Incident |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/greyhill-incident/ |access-date=2024-02-02 |website=www.metacritic.com |language=en}}</ref> Metacritic listed the PC version as the third worst game of 2023.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dietz |first1=Jason |title=The Worst Videogames of 2023 - #3: Greyhill Incident |url=https://www.metacritic.com/pictures/worst-videogames-of-2023/ |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[Fandom]] |access-date=19 December 2023 |date=19 December 2023}}</ref>
Critics noted the game's nonsensical plot, tedious gameplay and unsatisfying stealth mechanics, poor voice acting and dialogue, and frequent [[Software bug|bugs]]. Several reviewers described the game as a missed opportunity in spite of its interesting premise.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Greyhill Incident Review: A Flavorless Disappointment |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/greyhill-incident-game-review/ |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=ComicBook.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":5" /> Travis Northup of ''[[IGN]]'' and Cade Onder of [[ComicBook.com]] both negatively compared the game's writing to the output of an [[AI chatbot]].<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":4" /> The repetitive gameplay and lack of [[waypoint]]s was also criticized.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=2023-06-09 |title=The Greyhill Incident (PC) Review - CGMagazine |url=https://www.cgmagonline.com/review/game/the-greyhill-incident-pc-review/ |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=www.cgmagonline.com |language=en-CA}}</ref><ref name=":4" />
The game's environment and overall visual design was praised by critics as one of its few positive aspects.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" /> Branden Lizardi of ''TheGamer'' praised the game's visual design but criticized the overly dark lighting which made it difficult to see.<ref name=":1" /> Mike Holtz of ''[[Bloody Disgusting]]'' gave the game a mostly positive review, praising its atmosphere and horror elements.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Holtz |first=Mike |date=2023-06-09 |title='The Greyhill Incident' Is a Truly Terrifying Video Game for Anyone Who's Afraid of Aliens |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/video-games/3765476/the-greyhill-incident-is-a-truly-terrifying-video-game-for-anyone-whos-afraid-of-aliens/ |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=Bloody Disgusting! |language=en-US}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == *{{official website|https://perpgames.com/game/greyhill-incident/}}
[[Category:2023 video games]] [[Category:Survival horror video games]] [[Category:Stealth video games]] [[Category:Video games about alien visitations]] [[Category:Video games about alien abduction]] [[Category:Video games about alien invasions]] [[Category:Video games set in 1992]] [[Category:Windows games]] [[Category:PlayStation 4 games]] [[Category:PlayStation 5 games]] [[Category:Xbox Series X and Series S games]]