Matt Hazard: Blood Bath and Beyond

 Xbox 360
Metascore
63

Mixed or average reviews - based on 40 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 20 out of 40
  3. Negative: 8 out of 40
  1. 9Lives
    85
    Matt Hazzard is back and its impressive. The game is a very decent sidescrolling shooter and has humour to boot. It will probably get a bit much every now and then, but eventually, you will grab that controller again just because it’s so fun and addictive. It’s hard to find fault with the game, and entirely impossible to let it weigh down the final judgment. A top game for the virtual arcade halls.
  2. Impulsegamer
    85
    Blood Bath & Beyond is a truly great addition to the Live Arcade and can be easily justified at only 1200 points. There is a great amount of replay ability in it and while there are still a few minor glitches the game will encounter, they take nothing away from the overall playing experience of this now revived classic.
  3. Pelit (Finland)
    84
    A solid homage to Contra and other 2D shooters of the NES/SNES era. A sense humour and frequent allusions to other games make this one a unique experience. [Feb 2010]
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  5. Gamer 2.0
    80
    Matt Hazard in Blood Bath & Beyond is a good example of what a side scrolling action shooter should be. Sure it’s got a few rough edges, but overall it’s a fun game.
  6. IGN
    79
    It's a simple run-and-gun shooter in the style of Contra but its self-deprecating sense of humor and videogame in-jokes will keep you entertained until the end. Make sure you stick around after the credits for a nice little surprise.
  7. Game Informer
    78
    Matt Hazard’s debut missed the mark with gamers, and though this entry isn’t a bull’s-eye, his aim has gotten a lot better.
  8. TeamXbox
    78
    Despite these problems, Matt Hazard: Blood, Bath, and Beyond still manages to do a good job at being what a video game should be … entertaining.
  9. Worth Playing
    78
    Matt Hazard: Blood Bath and Beyond's short length and lack of online co-op are only amplified by its price tag. These faults could be overlooked if the price were $10, but at $15, those two aspects become detrimental to the game.
  10. ZTGD
    75
    The humor is fantastic, the level designs are truly fun and the gameplay is a classic formula that takes no chances, but still delivers a good time.
  11. Gaming Age
    75
    As with Eat Lead, Blood, Bath and Beyond isn't without its fair share of problems, this time around though, it's more forgiving as this game speaks to the inner child to those of use in our late 20s to mid 30s with its 8-Bit nod to classic shooters that toss in nostalgic references that speak to our Gen X attitudes.
  12. XboxAddict
    75
    If you see this title being offered around the 400 Microsoft point range, give it a try; if only to battle the exploding penguins and evil Lighthouse.
  13. Planet Xbox 360
    75
    The game does enough to redeem D3 for the faults of the original, and leaves you actually wanting more Matt Hazard. Who would have thought?

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 18 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 18
  3. Negative: 2 out of 18
  1. chrisp
    Jan 8, 2010
    10
    The game sets out to do what it is supposed to do. Give us a modern Contra/Metal Slug experience.
  2. BrianN
    Jan 7, 2010
    9
    Classic gameplay with lots of humor. Fun and challenging levels which have many parodies to spot (assuming you know all the games).
  3. KeithR
    Jan 7, 2010
    2
    This is a giant turd of a game. First of all, 15 bucks? Are you kidding me? Secondly offline only coop? Seriously? How lazy/greedy can you This is a giant turd of a game. First of all, 15 bucks? Are you kidding me? Secondly offline only coop? Seriously? How lazy/greedy can you be? The 'humor' in this game is mildly funny at best but mostly just plain groan inducing. Introducing explicatives in odd places does NOT equal comedy folks. The controls are usable I suppose but you never feel like you have the proper control over him to avoid the consistant rain(and I use that litterally) of objects that will invariably kill you repeatedly. The levels while having different back drops still all use the same stop mechanic ie: an old naval ship cannon behind a wall. This game not only hurts Microsofts brand but assures us that D3 has a LONG way to go before it understands what quality is.… Full Review »
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