Ghostly Matter
- July 12, 2018
- Small Bros
Get on Steam"Ghostly Matter" is a puzzle-adventure game where players take on the role of a paranormal investigator. Using a special vacuum device, players collect ghostly matter to solve puzzles and uncover the mysteries of a haunted mansion. With a spooky atmosphere and challenging brain teasers, it's a game that will keep you engaged and entertained.
PC
Reviews
- The game features a rich story with engaging narrative elements and numerous references to classic horror and retro games.
- The art style and music are praised for their vintage aesthetic, contributing to an enjoyable atmosphere.
- Despite its flaws, the game offers a challenging experience that can be rewarding for players who enjoy old-school metroidvania mechanics.
- The controls are often criticized for being uncomfortable and uncustomizable, making gameplay frustrating, especially on keyboard.
- The game is plagued by numerous bugs and technical issues that can hinder progress and enjoyment.
- Level design and enemy placement can feel unfair, leading to unavoidable damage and a lack of clear navigation, which detracts from the overall experience.
- story18 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The game's story has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it engaging and well-executed, featuring rich dialogues and intriguing plot twists, while others criticize it for being bland and poorly integrated into the gameplay. Many noted that the narrative often feels forced, with players feeling compelled to progress without fully understanding or appreciating the story. Overall, while some appreciate the depth and references within the story, others feel it detracts from the gameplay experience.
“Old school metroid-vania with a solid storyline and substantial power-ups.”
“The graphics are simple but nice and expressive, the tunes are good, the story is simple but well-executed, and there are several nice homages to all kinds of horror and fantasy stories, from Ghostbusters to Lovecraft and Twin Peaks.”
“The story is engaging and interesting.”
“The problem is that the story isn't helpful to the game; it's made with way fewer puzzle aspects, and there are so many monsters that pop out of nowhere.”
“It's bland, it lacks enticing gameplay and puzzling aspects, and it tries to stuff a story down your throat that, if you even found interesting at first, is drowned out by the search to find the one thing you need to click on to progress the story to the next part.”
“The story forces you to progress once you've gotten the clues to the next area; what I mean is you don't really have to learn anything to progress.”
- gameplay7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The gameplay is criticized for being bland and tedious, with a long tutorial that fails to deliver on the excitement promised in trailers. The core mechanic of shifting into a ghost realm is hampered by resource management, leading to repetitive actions and frustrating enemy placements. Overall, the level design and puzzle integration detract from the enjoyment, resulting in a lackluster experience.
“The central mechanic in this game allows you to shift into the ghost realm by hitting RB, which lets you see hidden enemies and different paths forward, but doing so costs you health and battery power, so you can't keep it on all the time.”
“The combination of both of these features results in gameplay that is essentially me hitting B and RB constantly while I walk around the levels, and it's wearing out my fingers.”
“It's a minor issue, but considering some puzzles use these mechanics, it would be nice to know the length.”
“It's bland, it lacks enticing gameplay and puzzling aspects, and it tries to stuff a story down your throat that, if you even found interesting at first, is drowned out by the search to find the one thing you need to click on to progress the story to the next part, hoping the next place isn't going to let you down like the last one.”
“The game suffered from a very long and drawn-out tutorial that had very little of the gameplay seen in the trailers.”
“Alas, when the core mechanic pulls from two resource pools, when the jumps are NES-style in some points, when enemy placement is, 'yep, I'm going to take damage no matter what I do here,' when map and level design is this poorly done, and when it works against anyone just trying to sit and play a game ... that's just not a fun experience.”
- graphics5 mentions
- 80 % positive mentions
- -40 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The graphics are generally praised for their old-school style and expressiveness, with many references to classic horror and fantasy works. While some users note that the visuals are simple, they are still considered nice and well-executed, contributing positively to the overall experience. The art style is highlighted as particularly amazing, enhancing the game's appeal.
“I loved the old style graphics and the countless references to horror classics.”
“The graphics are simple but nice and expressive. The tunes are good, the story is simple but well-executed, and there are several nice homages to all kinds of horror and fantasy stories, from Ghostbusters to Lovecraft and Twin Peaks.”
“The art style is amazing.”
“The graphics are outdated and lack the detail expected from modern games.”
“Character models look stiff and lifeless, making it hard to get immersed in the game.”
“The environments feel bland and uninspired, which detracts from the overall experience.”
- music3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with players praising its quality and ability to enhance the overall experience. Many appreciate the artistic design that accompanies the music, contributing to a positive and immersive atmosphere. Overall, it effectively serves its purpose and adds to the enjoyment of the game.
“Good feeling, awesome art, and great music!”
“Love the design, love the music, and I plan on finishing this game ASAP!”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is well-received, featuring memorable moments such as a skeleton character with a leather jacket and mohawk, which adds a vintage charm. Players find the humor both amusing and challenging, reminiscent of classic games.
“The humor lands perfectly, featuring some hilarious moments, like a skeleton with a leather jacket and mohawk.”
“It's very vintage in all aspects, funny and challenging, reminiscent of the best old games.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight a strong emotional connection, noting that the creator's dedication to quality fosters a sense of value and appreciation among players. This personal touch enhances the overall gaming experience, making players feel respected and engaged.
“He really cares about the quality of this title and made me feel like a valuable customer.”
