Matterfall

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 57 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 57
  2. Mixed: 28 out of 57
  3. Negative: 0 out of 57
  1. CGMagazine
    Aug 15, 2017
    90
    Matterfall is a fluid, frenetic, explosively colourful arcade shooter sure to satisfy both casual players and high-score chasers.
  2. God is a Geek
    Aug 14, 2017
    90
    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.
  3. COGconnected
    Aug 15, 2017
    86
    Matterfall is an absolute gem to play, taking gameplay we know and love and adding just the right nuances to give us something great.
  5. Games Master UK
    Sep 7, 2017
    85
    A fast-paced thrill ride with slick controls, becoming hypnotic and meditative once mastered. [Oct 2017, p.74]
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  6. PlaySense
    Aug 25, 2017
    85
    Matterfall is brief, but intense; a highly memorable experience that offers outstanding visuals and great replay value.
  7. The Games Machine
    Aug 15, 2017
    85
    Once again, the Finnish studio Housemarque delivers a twin-stick shooter full of surprises: undoubtedly short, but with deep and engaging gameplay, tailored for fans of the arcade genre.
  8. Stevivor
    Aug 14, 2017
    85
    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.
  9. Wccftech
    Aug 15, 2017
    83
    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.
  10. Vandal
    Aug 15, 2017
    82
    Matterfall is a safe bet for twin-stick shooters lovers. It is, yet again, a great title from Housemarque, although this time it feels a little bit too short.
  11. NZGamer
    Aug 22, 2017
    81
    Matterfall, as with many other Housemarque games, is a flawed but fun experience. Its relatively small number of levels helps keep it light on fluff, appealing to people who want to find every collectible and maximise their score on the leaderboards. Its short length also means it isn’t an imposing task for someone looking for a change of pace.
  12. Gamer.nl
    Aug 28, 2017
    80
    Matterfall is a platform game for the best speed runners. It is a bit too little to be called a PlayStation alternative for Mario, but it is fun to try to beat yourself by seconds.
  13. PlayStation Country
    Aug 17, 2017
    80
    Housemarque take their twin stick expertise over to the run and gun genre and nail it, just as you knew they would. The game's short lifespan and bullet sponge bosses take off a little bit of the shine but the excellent controls and gorgeous presentation make the game a must-buy for arcade connoisseurs.
  14. 4P.de
    Aug 16, 2017
    80
    Housemarque merges twinstick shooting with platforming, while adding their signature particle action style. But with its focus on action there is not enough exploration to be found for oldschool platforming fans. Nonetheless in its best moments this feels like Metroid on speed.
  15. Atomix
    Aug 16, 2017
    80
    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.
  16. Eurogamer Italy
    Aug 15, 2017
    80
    Quotation forthcoming.
  17. We Got This Covered
    Aug 15, 2017
    80
    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.
  18. Multiplayer.it
    Aug 15, 2017
    80
    Matterfall is yet another great shooter from Housemarque.
  19. IGN Spain
    Aug 15, 2017
    80
    Fast'n fun; that is how Matterfall works. An interesting videogame that takes back the 16 bits - Gunstar Heroes style with metroidvania elements and offers a hard (but also short) experience based on ability and patience.
  20. PlayStation LifeStyle
    Aug 14, 2017
    80
    Despite closing weaker than it starts, there’s a lot to like about Matterfall‘s unique blend of platforming and shooting. It’s great to see Housemarque trying something new, and besides some tricky controls, they nail most of their ideas flawlessly. PlayStation 4 owners can safely rack this up as yet another Housemarque gem.
  21. TheSixthAxis
    Aug 14, 2017
    80
    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.
  22. Game Informer
    Aug 14, 2017
    80
    Matterfall’s brand of action is simple but refined, producing many doses of adrenaline as you survive overwhelming odds again and again. The shooting is satisfying, and zipping across stages while blasting foes is a great, dumb time. For those who like their action simple but visually pleasing and challenging, Matterfall is an easy recommendation.
  23. EGM
    Aug 14, 2017
    80
    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.
  24. GamesBeat
    Aug 14, 2017
    80
    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. This is a strong followup to Resogun, and one of the PlayStation 4's better digital exclusives.
  25. IGN Italia
    Aug 15, 2017
    77
    Matterfall has a variety of pleasant gameplay ideas and a good technical side, even if it remains a platform-shooter with no great inspiration.
  26. PLAY! Zine
    Oct 12, 2017
    75
    As a spectacular and blasting experience, Matterfall rides on reflexes of the player. It rides with intensity, speed and... is short. It is so short that you will finish it in 2 hours, then stare at the wall for 2 more. But while it lasts and doesn’t force you to chase the high-score, Matterfall is an awesome little title.
  27. 3DJuegos
    Aug 16, 2017
    75
    Another shooter from Housemarque, an expert and masterful studio in the shooter scene. Brilliant and enjoyable in every way, but a bit limited and linear.
  28. SpazioGames
    Aug 15, 2017
    75
    Matterfall is a nostalgic iteration 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.
  29. Critical Hit
    Aug 14, 2017
    75
    Occasionally cumbersome controls and a generic sci-fi aesthetic do little to deter from a tight, addictive and explosive shooter.
  30. Destructoid
    Aug 14, 2017
    75
    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.
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  1. Eurogamer
    Aug 15, 2017
    Housemarque widens its lens with a take on 90s run and gunners, resulting in an enjoyably chaotic if overly slight adventure.

Awards & Rankings

82
#82 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2017

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 52 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 37 out of 52
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 52
  3. Negative: 8 out of 52
  1. Captiosus
    Aug 15, 2017
    7
    This is a rare miss by the folks at Housemarque. Matterfall tries being one part Metroidvania and one part twin stick score attack shoot-em-upThis is a rare miss by the folks at Housemarque. Matterfall tries being one part Metroidvania and one part twin stick score attack shoot-em-up and ends up being inferior versions of each. Bosses fights are frustratingly inconsistent, the dash mechanic isn't nearly as refined or as tight as it is in Housemarque's other games like Resogun or Nex Machina, and the Metroidvania platforming is very rudimentary. While playing I couldn't help but feel that there was a lot more that could have been done. In fact, my mind kept going back to Shadow Complex and Epic Games' take on the genre back in 2009.

    The biggest issue, in my opinion, is that the game is painfully short. Three acts of three levels each. On veteran, that took a mere 3.5 hours to complete from start to finish. This is a great example of the game being stuck in-between worlds; Short gameplay based on score attack gameplay works well in games like Resogun or Nex Machina which are modern takes on old quarter munching arcade titles but Matterfall is a take on a completely different genre where "score attack" matters less than providing a solid platforming experience with satisfying progression and boss fights. The relay value doesn't seem to justify the $20 price tag and, again, made me recall when Shadow Complex launched for a mere $5 more with significantly more content and more reasons to replay besides Matterfall's score attack.

    Ultimately, I'd recommend putting this on a wish list and waiting to see if it goes on sale during one of Sony's periodic flash sales or potentially given as a "free" PS Plus game later down the line. I'd give it a 6.5 if I could but in this case I'll round it up to a 7 rather than down to a 6.    … Full Review »
  2. jose-antonio-5
    Sep 21, 2017
    10
    Increible, no puedo decir nada más. Solo 20 euros, una jugabilidad super divertidad y una banda sonora de electronica ochentera que es unaIncreible, no puedo decir nada más. Solo 20 euros, una jugabilidad super divertidad y una banda sonora de electronica ochentera que es una delicia; no puedo decir nada malo de este juego sinceramente… Full Review »
  3. Ygen
    Nov 15, 2020
    10
    Drive, dynamic and perfect music. MatterFall it is RESOGUN+VECTORMAN+STRIDER = amazing formula for me.
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