- January 15, 2020
- Tunnel Vision Games
- 4h median play time
Lightmatter
Lightmatter's puzzles are shockingly smart, and getting that "Aha!" moment is brilliant. A little more refining and this may be a true first-person puzzle classic
Platforms
About
"Lightmatter is a single-player Science Fiction Adventure game with an intriguing story, stellar gameplay, and fantastic visuals. As a visitor to the world debut of Lightmatter, a revolutionary renewable energy source, you'll encounter mind-bending technological wonders and a life-changing experience, as described in a personal invitation from Virgil, CEO of Lightmatter Technologies."











- Clever puzzles that provide satisfying 'aha' moments without being overly difficult.
- Strong voice acting and engaging narrative that adds depth to the gameplay experience.
- Unique light and shadow mechanics create an interesting twist on traditional puzzle-solving.
- The game is relatively short, taking around 4-5 hours to complete, which may not justify the full price for some players.
- Heavy reliance on Portal references can feel forced and detracts from the game's originality.
- Some technical issues, including crashes and performance drops, can disrupt the gameplay experience.
- story1,079 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
The story of "Lightmatter" is often compared to that of the "Portal" series, featuring a similar narrative style and humor, but many reviewers feel it lacks depth and originality, resulting in a predictable plot. While the game presents an engaging premise involving a dangerous technology and a quirky antagonist, the execution is seen as somewhat shallow, with a straightforward narrative that doesn't fully develop its characters or themes. Despite these criticisms, the voice acting and clever integration of story elements into the gameplay are praised, making it an enjoyable experience for fans of puzzle games.
“A great story and concept that I was immersed in.”
“The way light plays a central role in both the gameplay and the story is incredibly clever.”
“The story is engaging and the references to other games are a nice touch.”
“The story is just a generic massive tech company that goes bad but has weird emphasis on hair for some reason.”
“The only things that did disappoint me were the game's incredibly predictable story and seeming pride at being inspired by Portal.”
“The story comes down to a 'we have Portal at home' vibe.”
Lightmatter review – Stranger to the light
It might have some problems with its difficulty curve, performance, and the way it's being sold, but Lightmatter is a very solid puzzle game that offers a decent amount of playtime, some very good puzzles, and a great story.
70%Lightmatter Review
Lightmatter rests somewhere in the middle of the pack when it comes to first person puzzlers. It uses the basic light tools satisfactorily, and the sharp visual style and brisk pace help it succeed. Unfortunately some technical blemishes offset its better qualities.
68%Lightmatter Review
Lightmatter's puzzles are shockingly smart, and getting that "Aha!" moment is brilliant. A little more refining and this may be a true first-person puzzle classic
80%