Matterfall

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Critics Recommend

Average Score

Total Reviews: 49

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Critics Recommend

Critic Reviews: 49

Critics Consensus

# Reviews: 49

A summary of the critical opinion for this game will be provided after release or a minimum of 15 reviews have been aggregated.

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Critic Reviews for Matterfall

Reviews

High Score - 90/100

Low Score - 50/100

GameCentral (Metro GameCentral)

6/10

“Nowhere close to the arcade perfection of Resogun or Nex Machina, this undercooked action platformer lacks the precise controls and instant appeal of its stablemates.”

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Tuffcub (TheSixthAxis)

8/10

“Matterfall is a great shooter and will give you many hours of entertainment if you like chasing high scores and challenging gameplay. However, it does feel like a slight let down after Nex Machina and is the least essential of all the Housemarque games on PlayStation 4. That said, the least essential Housemarque game is still better than most games you will find on the console, so it’s still recommended.”

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Neil Bolt (PlayStation Universe)

6/10

“Housemarque’s understanding of arcade shooting mechanics is, as ever, strong with Matterfall, but it lacks the flair and bombast of the more thoroughbred members of its family. The core concepts carried over from Housemarque’s previous efforts may be signature moves now, but they are starting to grow a little tired, more so when the game they feature in isn’t among the best the developer has put out.”

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Read the Reviews (49 total)

Outlet	Author	Score	Date	Quote	Read
Areajugones	Pablo Espinosa	6 / 10	08-15-2017	Matterfall brings back retro gameplay mechanics in a futurist set. However, it doen not bring anything new and becomes a little bit repetitive due to this.	Read review
Atomix	Iván Román	80 / 100	08-15-2017	Matterfall is a great side-scrolling shooter with addictive gameplay and worthy challenge. If you love these type of games or, at least, the previous works of Housemarque, then you will love it.	Read review
Bazimag	Ehsan Nakhoda	6.6 / 10	10-02-2017	Matterfall has been successful in presenting an action shooter which can increase the rush of adrenalin in your body! Yet, unfortunately, the game lacks content and is unable to keep you entertained for hours. However, it’s unfair to ignore its exceptional music and sound design. The combination of soundtracks and action shooter genre is the best part of the game!	Read review
Cerealkillerz	Gabriel Bogdan	7.5 / 10	08-14-2017	Despite some new gameplay approaches Matterfall still don't manage to merge from the shadows of the previous housemarque titles. The diverting title surprises you not very often and the hardest part of the game is gettting used to the new control elements of the game. If you're looking for a new twin-stick-shooter to pass some time you'll still enjoy Matterfall.	Read review
CGMagazine	Brendan Quinn	9 / 10	08-15-2017	Matterfall is a fluid, frenetic, explosively colourful arcade shooter sure to satisfy both casual players and high-score chasers.	Read review
COGconnected	Alexander Thomas	86 / 100	08-15-2017	Anyone who misses the glory days of Metroid should really give Matterfall a closer look.	Read review
Critical Hit	Geoffrey Tim	7.5 / 10	08-15-2017	Occasionally cumbersome controls and a generic sci-fi aesthetic do little to deter from a tight, addictive and explosive shooter.	Read review
Destructoid	Chris Carter	7.5 / 10	08-14-2017	Housemarque could have gone a bit farther with Matterfall, because while the general theme is on point, several elements, the protagonist design included, failed to make their mark on me. While it remains stylish throughout there were a few sections where I felt like I was just going through the motions, doing things I had done many times before, just with a nice HDR sheen to it. It's not quite Outland (which Housemarque also created), but it'll do.	Read review
Digitally Downloaded	Sam M.	3 / 5 stars	09-27-2017	If you can handle the uncomfortable controls, you'll be able to immerse yourself in some good old platformer shooting fun.	Read review
DualShockers	Logan Moore	6.5 / 10	08-22-2017	Matterfall is a mechanically sound game but has very little to keep you coming back to chase high scores. As it stands, I enjoyed the handful of hours that I spent with it, but I can't see myself going back anytime soon. This greatly disappoints me since I have spent months if not years coming back to some of Housemarque's past ventures. While I like the new direction that Housemarque tried to go in with Matterfall, I'd be fine if we never ended up seeing a game in this same vein in the future.	Read review
EGM	Ray Carsillo	8 / 10	08-14-2017	Although a bit short and repetitive at times, the fast and frantic action of Matterfall is a delight if you prefer your gameplay more arcade-y and your goals to be focused on high scores and conquering leaderboards rather than saving the world.	Read review
Eurogamer	Martin Robinson	Recommended	08-15-2017	Housemarque widens its lens with a take on 90s run and gunners, resulting in an enjoyably chaotic if overly slight adventure.	Read review
FingerGuns	Paul Collett	6 / 10	08-17-2017	The augments are fun to collect, and the bosses are a decent challenge but there isn't much to make you want to go back for more, especially with all that unnecessary Smart Matter Paraphernalia. Take that away and you'll have a much more fun and intense shooter.	Read review
Game Informer	Javy Gwaltney	8 / 10	08-14-2017	Matterfall is an enjoyable, arcadey action game with a few twists even though difficulty spikes mar the endgame	Read review
Gameblog	Filipe Da Silva Barbosa	7 / 10	08-16-2017	Very good-looking and enjoyable with is nervous, but easy to understand, gameplay, Matterfall fells great but doesn't offer so much to do and ends too quickly. But if you're a scoring addict, it's definitely for you.	Read review
GameMAG	xtr	5 / 10	08-16-2017	Matterfall is the first notable failure in Housemarque's career. There is not even a bright and technological graphics, which studio is famous for. This is faded, boring, artificially prolonged game with a bad save system and stupid enemies. Of course, you can spend three hours of your life on it, but it's better to just skip this project and pay attention to one of the much more attractive summer hits.	Read review
Gameplanet	Ben Allan	6 / 10	08-18-2017	Matterfall contains some welcome formula tweaks and the usual level of Housemarque polish, but it's much less inspired than the Finnish studio's better shooters.	Read review
GamePro	Manuel Fritsch	70 / 100	08-16-2017	Effectful and entertaining arcade genre mix, which loses its charm quickly because of its very small scale and little replay value.	Read review
GamesBeat	Mike Minotti	80 / 100	08-14-2017	Matterfall is a challenging and creative take on the twin-stick shooter. Even if it's sci-fi setting is bland, the multitasking gameplay rarely offers a dull moment.	Read review
GameSpew	Richard Seagrave	7 / 10	08-15-2017	Matterfall is perhaps the least essential Housemarque title in the PlayStation 4's catalogue, but it's still a cut above the majority of the competition.	Read review
GameSpot	Jeremy Winslow	6 / 10	08-14-2017	PS4's Matterfall is a visually stunning yet uninspiring hybrid of Housemarque's past successes.	Read review
GamingBolt	Will Borger	6 / 10	08-30-2017	Unfortunately, Matterfall never quite comes together, despite its short runtime	Read review
God is a Geek	Chris White	9 / 10	08-15-2017	There's no question Housemarque once again gets its own brand of chaos spot on, and you're going to love what they've got in store for you this time.	Read review
IGN	Mitchell Saltzman	7 / 10	08-15-2017	Matterfall succeeds in adapting Housemarque's trademark style of fast, action-packed, arcadey action to the 2D platformer genre, but it feels like a puzzle half solved. There's virtually no content here after you finish its exceptionally short campaign, outside of some harder difficulty modes and a global leaderboard to climb, and its level design isn't well-suited for replay value. It's a ton of fun while it lasts, but once it's over it's hard to not be left with a feeling of “Is that it?”	Read review
IGN Italy	Francesco Destri	7.7 / 10	08-15-2017	Matterfall has a variety of pleasant gameplay ideas and a good technical side, even if it remains a platform-shooter with no great inspiration.	Read review
IGN Middle East	Islam Ibrahim	7.7 / 10	08-14-2017	Matterfall tried to combine classic 2D shooting games with platform jumping games and provided a good playing style, but despite the powerful abilities and weapons Avalon uses, you will often feel weak and nervous at times because of the difficulty of the game. I would've been pleased if they were added a cooperative mode to increase the fun, but instead the studio has made it possible to compare your scores with your friends and everyone who plays the game around the world to know your world ranking, making you want to go back to the game to reach the top ranking.	Read review
IGN Spain	Jose A. Rodríguez	8 / 10	08-15-2017	Fast'n fun; that is how Matterfall works. An interesting videogame that takes back the 16 bits	Read review
Impulsegamer	Sean Warhurst	3.6 / 5 stars	08-17-2017	For me, as great and occasionally teeth grindingly frustrating an experience that Matterfall was, it was a one and done experience and I have no desire to come back to the game in its current state.	Read review
LevelUp	Juanem Reyes	7.3 / 10	08-19-2017	In Matterfall there's a lot of explosions, tons of particles, fast paced action and an interesting mix of gameplay mechanics. Everything fits well with this Housemarque game but scarce content and lack of replayability refrain it from being a must.	Read review
Metro GameCentral	GameCentral	6 / 10	08-16-2017	Nowhere close to the arcade perfection of Resogun or Nex Machina, this undercooked action platformer lacks the precise controls and instant appeal of its stablemates.	Read review
New Game Network	Josh Hinke	66 / 100	08-16-2017	Matterfall is a game filled with ideas and mechanics that seem fine on their own, but contradict and conflict with each other when added together. The experience is so short and stifled, that even with some enjoyable moments along the way, it's hard to recommend.	Read review
NZGamer	Blair Loveday	8.1 / 10	08-22-2017	For fans of Housemarque's work, and 2.5D shooters alike. Be ready for punishment!	Read review
Pardis Game	Alireza Razmjoei	8 / 10	09-02-2017	Matterfall is an engaging and at times, fascinating game which has honored Housemarque once again with its brilliant control and nearly flawless gameplay. Unfortunately, the enemies you'll face are not really active as you'd expect and are quite predictable, replaying the same level more than once can be quite boring and unlike their previous titles, the lack of content and the short length of the game, decreases the replay value.	Read review
Player2.net.au	Jamie Dalzell	Recommended	09-18-2017	Matterfall is a fireworks display of an arcade game: bright, bombastic, and ultimately hollow. But while it may not sit front-and-centre of Housemarque’s modern-day arcade, it’s a visual extravaganza that’s still well worth seeing one time through.	Read review
PlayStation Universe	Neil Bolt	6 / 10	08-19-2017	Housemarque's understanding of arcade shooting mechanics is, as ever, strong with Matterfall, but it lacks the flair and bombast of the more thoroughbred members of its family. The core concepts carried over from Housemarque's previous efforts may be signature moves now, but they are starting to grow a little tired, more so when the game they feature in isn't among the best the developer has put out.	Read review
PowerUp!	Matthew Manchester	7.5 / 10	08-28-2017	I had a lot of fun playing Matterfall. The gameplay is enjoyable and the levels are challenging.	Read review
Press Start	Matthew Zimmari	8 / 10	08-15-2017	Matterfall is the kind of game Housemarque does best – easy to learn, but a little harder to master. Achievement hunters will find themselves speedrunning and shooting through for the high score points, while other players will have loads of fun with the zero-G and Matter mechanics. Matterfall's quick and frantic gameplay won't be for everyone, but for those who really dig sci-fi and shooters, it is definitely a must-get.	Read review
PSX Brasil	Francisco Maia	86 / 100	08-19-2017	At this point, it sounds redundant to say that Housemarque has created another excellent Twin Stick shooter. Matterfall is fast, intense and really fun. Even if its limited content prevents it from becoming one of Housemarque's best, it is a must-have for fans of the genre.	Read review
Push Square	Sammy Barker	7 / 10	08-15-2017	Matterfall's not the best game Housemarque will release in 2017 – but then, the virtually flawless Nex Machina was always going to be a tough act to follow. There's a lot to like about this side-scroller's pulsating platforming levels, and when it all comes together you'll feel like you're on top of the world. An unorthodox control scheme means that it's not the most accessible game, but once you slip into a rhythm it feels right. Unfortunately, it can be hard to stay in the groove, and while those looking for a challenge will undoubtedly relish the practice required to master this menacing sci-fi affair, it will put others off.	Read review
Saudi Gamer	نواف النغموش	7 / 10	08-17-2017	A Dashing experience that contains all the factors we are used to in a Housemarque game. Unfortunately, it lacks a unique identity and more content to brightly shine as one of the strongest titles for this studio.	Read review
SpazioGames	Adriano Di Medio	7.5 / 10	08-15-2017	Matterfall is a nostalgic rievocation of Nineties' coin-ops. It's an hybrid shooter, that combines side-scrolling with flying sections and platforming. It throws the player into the gameplay without premises, making him to survive among aliens, robots and bullet-hell levels. Its challenging gameplay will be a great thing for every person who lived the last coin-op era, but also modern gamers may have the will to try it.	Read review
Stevivor	Steve Wright	8.5 / 10	08-15-2017	There's not much to Matterfall, but there doesn't need to be. Once again, Housemarque has made a tight little game with polished mechanics that's sure to delight.	Read review
TheSixthAxis	Tuffcub	8 / 10	08-15-2017	Matterfall is a great shooter and will give you many hours of entertainment if you like chasing high scores and challenging gameplay. However, it does feel like a slight let down after Nex Machina and is the least essential of all the Housemarque games on PlayStation 4. That said, the least essential Housemarque game is still better than most games you will find on the console, so it's still recommended.	Read review
Twinfinite	Chris Jecks	3 / 5 stars	08-16-2017	While I have to tip my hat to Housemarque for trying something different, Matterfall feels more like a side project than a proper release in the developer's esteemed lineage of twin-stick shooters. The controls lack the same level of slick polish, the main experience is short, and there's little to keep you coming back.	Read review
VGN	Tommaso Stio	8.8 / 10	08-15-2017	Thanks to a good balance between berserk and entertaining activities, the new game from Housemarque will definitely trap you thanks to its unique style and a perfect control system.	Read review
Wccftech	Rosh Kelly	8.3 / 10	08-15-2017	Matterfall is a challenging game with simple controls and stylish combat. While some sections are more frustrating than others, it'll keep daring you to come back and try to beat it once and for all.	Read review
We Got This Covered	Eric Hall	4 / 5 stars	08-14-2017	Matterfall may not be the best product developed by Housemarque in recent years, but it is still a thrilling adventure that boasts excellent gameplay and gorgeous visuals.	Read review
WellPlayed	Kieran Stockton	8.5 / 10	08-14-2017	A clever side-scrolling shoot 'em up that's got style and flair, whose blistering action should make you forgive its short length	Read review

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Game Info

Game Description / Storyline:

Matterfall is a side-scrolling shooter video game developed by Housemarque and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Overcome an ever-expanding threat that might have already seeped too far into the core of humanity itself.

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