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
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a rich story with clever writing and numerous references to classic horror and adventure games, creating an engaging atmosphere.
- The art style and music are praised for their nostalgic, retro feel, reminiscent of 80s and 90s games, which many players find appealing.
- Despite its flaws, the game offers a challenging experience that can be rewarding for players who enjoy exploration and puzzle-solving in a metroidvania format.
- The controls, especially for keyboard users, are often described as clunky and uncustomizable, leading to frustration during gameplay.
- Numerous bugs and game-breaking issues have been reported, including problems with enemy placement and progression, which detract from the overall experience.
- The map design is criticized for being inadequate, making navigation difficult and requiring players to rely on memory rather than a clear overview of the game world.
- story19 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The game's story has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it engaging and well-executed, featuring intriguing plot twists and rich dialogues, 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 through the game without fully absorbing the story. Overall, while some appreciate the story's depth and connections to various horror and fantasy references, 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.”
“The story force progresses you once you've gotten the clues to the next area... what I mean is you don't really have to learn anything to progress.”
“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.”
- gameplay13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The gameplay has been criticized for being bland and overly reliant on a convoluted story, with a tedious tutorial that fails to deliver on the promised mechanics. In contrast, [i]ghostly matter[/i] offers a more ambitious experience with its challenging level design and unique mechanics, though it can feel unfair and frustrating at times. Overall, while some players find enjoyment in the mechanics, the execution often leads to a frustrating experience due to resource management and poor level design.
“The primary mechanic of the game is centered around these goggles that allow you to see ghosts and other secrets, similar to the Lens of Truth in many Zelda games.”
“One of the mechanics associated with the ghost goggles is that some items could be secretly a bomb or a jar of poison, and you can only discern this by checking them before grabbing them.”
“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.”
“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 works against anyone just trying to sit and play a game ... that's just not a fun experience.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 71 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are praised for their nostalgic, old-school aesthetic, with many references to classic horror and fantasy stories, contributing to a rich visual experience. While some reviewers note that the game design may falter, the overall art style is considered outstanding and expressive, enhancing the game's engaging narrative and atmosphere.
“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.”
“Many indie games use this sort of aesthetic to provide a nostalgic high, but it's more common that these games only capture the look of the past.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is well-crafted, featuring memorable moments such as a skeleton in a leather jacket and mohawk, which resonates with a vintage charm. Players appreciate the blend of humor and challenge, reminiscent of classic games.
“Greatly written humor.”
“The humor lands well and features some funny moments, like the skeleton with a leather jacket and mohawk.”
“Very vintage in all aspects, funny and challenging, reminiscent of the best old games.”
- 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 complements the soundtrack, contributing to a positive and immersive atmosphere.
“Good feeling, awesome art, and great music!”
“Love the design, love the music, and I plan on finishing this game ASAP!”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game somewhat tedious, particularly due to instances that require lengthy traversal across the map, sometimes taking up to 10 minutes.
“In the game's current state, there are a couple of instances that require me to traverse the entire map, taking up to 10 minutes at times, which feels a little tedious.”
“The grinding in this game is excessive, making it feel more like a chore than an enjoyable experience.”
“I find myself repeating the same tasks over and over, which really detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
- 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.
“He really cares about the quality of this title and made me feel like a valuable customer.”
