How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (Metacritic) | – | 72 | 20 |
| All-time Steam reviews | – | – | 0 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 77 | 33 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | – | – | 0 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 0 reviews sampled · 0 total reviews in window · weighted 0 up / 0 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (55)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 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.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“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 full review ↗ - 73
“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 full review ↗ - 65
“Admittedly, the overall quality of Matterfall hurts more than usual because we've seen exactly what Housemarque can do. The core game is fun, but mediocre platforming holds back the game's strengths of dashing and shooting. Controls seem fine on paper, but the inability to map the buttons means that there's a learning curve to the game that will result in many deaths and wrong moves. It may look and sound pretty, but with a short game length and a punishing leaderboard system, consumers may want to wait for a price drop before jumping in.”
read full review ↗ - 80
- 60
“At first it's great to engage with Housemarque's tried-and-tested designs again, but Matterfall never manages to build off of its promising foundation, and it even mishandles one of the studio's longest-standing mechanics: dashing. There is still some fun to be had, and it's easy to appreciate the technical artistry on display, but factor in inconsistent controls and long load times, and it's easy to grow frustrated throughout the Matterfall's short campaign.”
read full review ↗ - 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.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“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 full review ↗ - 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.”
read full review ↗ - 72
“Matterfall recovers the dead genre called "Metroidvania", and it executes on it pretty well, but sadly game lacks story to move you and controllers are relatively difficult to get used to it.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Matterfall may be the weakest title Housemarque has released to Playstation 4, but it's still a mostly great mix of platforming and shooting. We really enjoy the intense action and demanding difficulty, but we wish the game was a bit more polished and significantly longer. ”
read full review ↗ - 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. ”
read full review ↗
PLAY Zine
Push Square
LevelUp
Worth Playing
Eurogamer
GameSpot
TheSixthAxis
Metro GameCentral
We Got This Covered
M3
Atomix…and 43 more tracked reviews.