# Cognition Episode 1 — The Hangman

> Interactive adventure game where you play an FBI agent tracking serial killers. (iPhone/iPad app by Phoenix Online Publishing LLC.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cognition-episode-1/id598738593 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Phoenix Online Publishing LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/598738598)
- Category: Games, Adventure, Puzzle
- Price: $2.99
- Rating: 3.70/5 from 28 App Store ratings · 89 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 17+
- Requires: iOS 8.0 · 1.3 GB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2013-02-28
- Data updated: 2026-07-26
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cognition-episode-1/id598738593/reviews.md

## What is Cognition Episode 1?

Take on the role of Erica Reed, a Boston FBI agent with the power to see the past, in this intense adventure game as she follows the trail of four different serial killers, and a series of clues left for someone with her specific ability. Who’s leaving the clues? How do they know her secret, and what do they want from her?

Find out what the fate of Erica's brother is in the exciting first episode entitled: The Hangman.Get Erica's power under control as you go face to face against a dark serial killer as Erica risks her own life to uncover the mystery behind The Hangman!

Developed by a true “indie dream team”, the line-up includes comics artist Romano Molenaar (Batman, Witchblade, Tomb Raider, X-Men) as Art Director and renowned adventure game designer Jane Jensen (Gabriel Knight, Gray Matter, and Moebius) lending her expertise as Story Consultant.

Now updated with Game of the Year bonus features, including director's commentary, concept art, storyboards, outtakes, and other behind-the-scenes material about the development! And don't miss the GOTY edition of Episodes 1, 3, and 4! 

Subtitles available in English, German, and Italian.

**NOTE: Compatible with iPad 2 and up, will not run on iPad 1**

## Key features

- Play as FBI agent Erica Reed
- Investigate serial killers
- Use psychic abilities to see the past
- Uncover mystery clues
- Interactive narrative adventure
- Bonus Game of the Year features

## Chart rankings

- #198 in Top Paid · Puzzle (US App Store)

## Recent user reviews (10 of 89)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cognition-episode-1/id598738593/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Wow

*2023-02-10*

Dieses Spiel ist ein Hammer!

### 5/5 — One of the best old-school point-and-click games!

*2022-11-29, version 4.1*

Think The Bone Collector (movie) meets old-school point-and click adventure/puzzle games! 
Gorgeous graphics! A deep and meaningful well thought-out plot and gameplay!
I actually replayed this game twice, so far. I wish episodes 2 and 4 were still available on iOS App Store Australia!

~Anon Gamer

### 2/5 — Episode 2 isn’t in the App Store

*2022-11-29*

It’s a waste of time playing this game (which actually had a good plot), because episode 2 is missing from the App Store. No reason to download episode 3 at this point.

### 5/5 — Love this but where’s episode 2?

*2022-06-22, version 4.1*

Where’s episode 2?

### 5/5 — Cognition

*2022-03-24*

.es ist ein wahnsinnig. Gutes Spiel das hat 10sterne  verdient

### 5/5 — Adventure game veteran here

*2021-04-29*

This is one of the best I’ve played. Great story, really cool visual style, 3 dimensional characters, great music and voice acting. The controls work great on a mobile screen, the puzzles are quite intuitive, and the hint system is good.
The only reasons why you shouldn’t buy it rare if you don’t like point and click adventure games, or if you don’t like dark & violet content. Otherwise, buy it now! It’s great.

### 5/5 — A well put together game

*2020-05-25*

This game satisfied every bit of the investigator in me. I truly was not expecting a game to be so close to perfection!
I will play episode one alone a million times more so imagine the whole game series 🙈 
Disclaimer: Not for the simple-minded. You must be critical and also creative because this game is very detail-focused! Beautiful!

Ps. Let me just go buy the whole game bundle now hehe

### 4/5 — Amazing, except for some glitches

*2020-05-05, version 4.1*

Amazing amazing amazing story with raw, dark, gory details, that had me on the edge of my seat the ENTIRE TIME!!! The only thing reason it is missing one star is because there are a few glitches throughout (eg. images missing, there was one puzzle that solved itself, certain things that only worked in a particular restricted order). But with patience, you can get through them and continue playing.

### 5/5 — Absolutely brilliant

*2020-01-04, version 4.1*

This is my ideal game, thrilling storyline mixed with a variety of puzzles encompassing different mediums eg computer, phones, character interaction, psychic abilities etc etc so much effort has gone into this series and it shows. I only wish there were more of this high quality out there.

### 4/5 — :-)

*2019-11-09*

Die Story ist sehr spannend, die Rätsel machen Spaß und sind mittelschwierig, die Sprachausgabe ist in Englisch (sehr gute Sprecher), der Text ist in Deutsch. 
Die Story mich mitgenommen (positiv). 
Jetzt kauf ich mir die nächsten 4 Teile, denn ich bin sehr gespannt darauf, wie es weiter geht.

## Frequently asked questions about Cognition Episode 1

### What is Cognition Episode 1: The Hangman?

Cognition Episode 1: The Hangman is an interactive adventure game where players assume the role of Erica Reed, a Boston FBI agent with the ability to see the past. The game involves tracking serial killers and uncovering a mystery surrounding clues left for Erica.

### What are the key features of this game?

Key features include playing as an FBI agent with psychic powers, investigating multiple serial killers, following a trail of clues, and experiencing an interactive narrative. The Game of the Year edition also includes bonus content like director's commentary and concept art.

### How much does Cognition Episode 1 cost?

Based on the provided information, this application is a paid game. There are no mentions of in-app purchases or advertisements, indicating a one-time purchase model.

### What devices is Cognition Episode 1 compatible with?

The game is compatible with iPad 2 and later models. It explicitly states that it will not run on the original iPad 1.

### What kind of experience can I expect from this game?

You can expect an intense adventure game experience with a strong narrative focus. The game challenges you to solve a mystery by using psychic abilities to piece together past events and confront a serial killer.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 4.1 — 2018-02-09

This update from Apple will improve the functionality of this app. No new features are included.

Removed FPS Counter.

### 4.0 — 2018-02-08

Cognition Game of the Year Edition!

Winner of six 2013 Reader’s Choice Aggie Awards, including Game of the Year, this edition of Cognition includes brand new director commentary for all 4 episodes and exclusive content including concept art, storyboards, outtakes and other behind-the-scenes material about the development!  

Episode 2 has also been updated, and Episodes 3 & 4 are now available! Subtitles are now available in English, German, and Italian.

Patch Notes;
- Game of the Year Edition
  - Director's Commentary
  - Concept Art
- Performance Improvements
- Quality of Life Improvements
- Video Optimization
- Achievements
- 64-bit Compatibility

### 3 — 2013-08-15

-Italian subtitle and interface support

-Fixed some crashes

-Episode 2 announcement

### 2 — 2013-03-09

New app store icon.

### 1 — 2013-02-15

No release notes.

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## More apps by Phoenix Online Publishing LLC

- [The Last Door: Collector's Edition](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-last-door-collectors-edition/id926347646)
- [Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers 20th Anniversary Edition](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gabriel-knight-sins-of-the-fathers-20th-anniversary-edition/id972316145)
- [Morningstar: Descent Deadrock](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/morningstar-descent-deadrock/id998943480)
- [The Last Door Season 2: Collector's Edition](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-last-door-season-2-collectors-edition/id1124033801)
- [Cognition Episode 3](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cognition-episode-3/id1138938233)

All apps by Phoenix Online Publishing LLC: https://appshunter.io/developer/598738598

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-07-26.*
