Playing History

Grenzgänger: Aus der DDR in den Westen

Grenzgänger is a serious game about three intertwined lives in the German Democratic Republic. Play as Assel, Michael and Hanna living under the constant surveillance of the state trying to fight back or flee into the West in this free point&click adventure. (currently only available in German)

Released: 6 November 2025
Developer: Playing History
Publisher: Lern- und Erinnerungsort Notaufnahmelager Gießen
Engine: Unity
Platforms: Web browser · PC (Microsoft Windows) · Mac
Genres: Point-and-click · Adventure · Indie

Quick answers

System requirements 4 GB RAM Download size 0.5 GB

Grenzgänger: Aus der DDR in den Westen

The story

In Grenzgänger, you play three distinct yet intertwining stories, all of which start in Jena, German Democratic Republic (GDR), in 1984. In the first story, you play Assel, a young punk who fights the authoritarian state and dreams of a free GDR where people aren't judged for how they dress or the music they listen to. Together with her friends, Assel organizes concerts, distributes flyers calling for protests, and helps dissidents flee the country. The second story focuses on Assel’s friend Michael and his attempt to leave the GDR. As a recent high school graduate, he is about to be drafted into mandatory military service, which he wants to avoid at all costs. The third story is about Hanna and her young daughter, Peggy. Hanna, a former teacher, lost her job after formally requesting to migrate to West Germany. She wants to leave the GDR to get Peggy further medical attention for her chronic bronchitis.

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