Meet Your Maker
- April 4, 2023
- Behaviour Interactive
- 27h median play time
With an interesting progress system and competent FPS-style platforming gameplay, Meet Your Maker is one to keep an eye on going forward.
"Meet Your Maker" is a post-apocalyptic game where players can build and raid deadly structures with advanced tech and cloning. The Shattered Peak Sanctuary DLC offers a new environment, themed Deco Pack, Custodian, and guard. The Deluxe Edition includes the base game and the Scorched Necropolis Collection for Egyptian-inspired cosmetics. Players must use their creativity and strategic skills to survive.
Reviews
- Unique concept combining base building and raiding mechanics, offering a fresh gameplay experience.
- Satisfying gameplay loop with the ability to watch replays of players raiding your bases, allowing for iterative improvements.
- Creative freedom in designing traps and outposts, with a variety of traps and guards to choose from.
- Game suffers from a low player base, making it difficult to get raids on your own bases and diminishing the overall experience.
- Progression system is grindy and can feel tedious, with resources often being scarce and requiring extensive raiding to maintain bases.
- Many player-created levels are unbalanced, often resulting in frustrating killboxes that detract from the enjoyment of raiding.
- gameplay388 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Meet Your Maker" is characterized by a unique blend of raiding and base-building mechanics, offering a fast-paced and strategic experience. Players appreciate the tight movement controls, precise gunplay, and empowering melee combat, although some express frustration with the limitations imposed by certain mechanics, such as the harvester path requirement for base creation. While the core gameplay loop is engaging and addictive, many reviewers note a lack of content and variety, leading to repetitive experiences over time.
“On the gameplay side, movement is tight, gunplay is precise, and melee is empowering.”
“The dungeons are devious, the gameplay is strategic and fast, and the feeling of beating a brutal level is amazing!”
“The gameplay loop is incredibly fun, and I would love to see more content added to the game.”
“The gameplay loop is boring and you are forced to repeat the same stuff over and over again till you memorize the layout of the bases you raid.”
“However, the actual gameplay has proven to be a letdown in several key areas.”
“The game desperately needs more blocks, traps, and design options to bridge the gap between the promises and the actual gameplay experience.”
- story128 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The story in "Meet Your Maker" is largely considered minimal and underdeveloped, with many players noting a lack of depth and progression. While there are hints of an intriguing post-apocalyptic setting and some loose lore, the narrative feels secondary to the gameplay mechanics, leading to a sense of disappointment among those seeking a richer story experience. Overall, players express a desire for more substantial storytelling elements and character development to enhance the game's potential.
“The story is basic but very intriguing; all the characters are pretty bland, but their personality keeps the interactions fresh when you talk to each of them. I can't wait for more voice lines and story to be added; I would love to see side missions from them using a different kind of level.”
“The aesthetic is cool, and there are the beginnings of an interesting story, but then the game doesn't really expand on it, and what you do in the game doesn't really make sense for the story.”
“The mechanics of this game, the emergent storytelling they bring, and the symbolism of them make this game absolutely fantastic.”
“All this potential is fully wasted; there is no story in this game. The player hub serves no purpose and could easily be replaced with a menu, and the NPCs constantly say the exact same lines, adding nothing to a world that seemed like it was designed with a lot of thought and interest.”
“There's some loose lore where people mention stuff, but there's no story at all.”
“The story is pretty bare bones. Besides the cutscene in the beginning and what you read on the store page, there's not too much else to the story.”
- grinding113 mentions
- 3 % positive mentions
- -2 % neutral mentions
- 99 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and unbalanced compared to the rewards offered. While some appreciate the unique dungeons and replayability, others criticize the repetitive nature of grinding for resources and the lack of meaningful progression, leading to a gameplay loop that can feel like a chore. Overall, the grind is seen as a significant barrier to enjoyment, with calls for improvements to the economy and map variety to enhance the experience.
“The game can feel a bit grindy at times, but the rewards make it worth it.”
“Grinding is a key part of the experience, and it adds depth to character progression.”
“While there are moments of grinding, the sense of achievement when leveling up is incredibly satisfying.”
“Some maps can be super tedious, and the rewards aren't worth the time.”
“The game is very grindy with little reward, but to be fair, I only have one outpost built, so maybe I'll get more genmat the more I build.”
“The core idea could have been fun, but it's half-cooked and aims to retain players in grindy and unrewarding ways.”
- graphics107 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the impressive art style and atmospheric design that evokes a post-apocalyptic aesthetic reminiscent of titles like "Mad Max" and "Doom." While the visuals are often described as captivating and well-executed, some players have reported performance issues, including crashes and a lack of optimization, particularly on lower settings. Overall, the game's graphics are seen as a strong point, though they may require further refinement to enhance stability and performance.
“The visuals are captivating, and I was immediately drawn in by the attention to detail and vibrant environments.”
“The graphics and sounds perfectly depict the setting, and the developers have crafted a complete scenario that works at all points to suspend disbelief and make the whole thing an encapsulated nihilistic hellscape that perfectly suits the game style.”
“It's a visually pleasing game - the grimy 'Mad Max' aesthetic is done well and, alongside the near-constant paranoia of looking out for traps and monsters, you feel quite immersed in the universe of the game.”
“My biggest complaint is that I have to play the game on low graphics to have any playtime at all.”
“The graphics are mediocre, appearing washed out and lacking polish.”
“It's very graphically demanding, even on the lowest settings, and crashes every so often due to a lack of RAM.”
- stability57 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 2 % neutral mentions
- 84 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with many players reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and various bugs that detract from the overall experience. While some users note that the game runs well on certain systems and appreciate its fun mechanics, the consensus is that it feels unfinished and often resembles an early access title due to its technical issues. Despite these problems, many players remain hopeful for future updates and fixes from the developers.
“It feels early access, everything visually and mechanically works and seems to be bug free.”
“I have not run into any glitches; I would love to see the story fleshed out a bit more.”
“Runs great on Steam Deck.”
“The game is horrifically buggy; I've gotten about one crash and one freeze per hour of play, and that's in addition to all the smaller bugs that don't break the game.”
“Enjoy playing a game that crashes 8 times for no apparent reason on startup before you can actually play, random crashes during raids, and is still full of bugs and glitches that get introduced every time they try to fix a glitch.”
“Very buggy (currently a bug is messing up the number of rewards you receive which makes the game practically unplayable), very limited amount of content (already nearly unlocked all the unlockables and haven't even reached 15 hours yet when this is supposed to be a progression type of game), and some aspects could use more fleshing out (very basic traps and guards with little variation).”
- humor41 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is largely derived from the satisfaction and hilarity of watching players fail repeatedly at cleverly designed traps and outposts, often leading to uproarious moments shared with friends. Players find joy in the chaotic nature of co-op play, where friendly fire and unexpected mishaps add to the comedic experience, while replays of failed raids provide endless entertainment. Overall, the game successfully combines frustration and laughter, making it a fun experience for those who enjoy watching others struggle against their creations.
“There's also nothing in this world more satisfying than the feeling of watching replays of people raiding your outpost and watching them die to the traps you placed; it's hilarious to watch!”
“I've spent more time sitting back, eating popcorn, laughing my ass off like I'm some kind of super villain as people die to my devious creations than I have actually doing anything else in this game.”
“Hilarious to watch others getting squished in your dungeons when your carefully planned traps work as intended.”
- optimization38 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 24 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing smooth performance and high frame rates, while others report significant issues such as crashes, stuttering, and lag spikes, particularly during resource loading and menu navigation. Many users express a need for further optimization and bug fixes, indicating that while the game has potential, it currently suffers from performance inconsistencies that detract from the experience.
“Performance seems to be in a good spot.”
“On the performance side, this game runs perfectly smooth for me. I've had zero crashes (with the exception of the replay bug, which is a known issue they are working to fix) and zero game-breaking bugs.”
“Generally, the game is smooth, optimized, plays well, etc. All the quality aspects are fine and very well made.”
“The optimization and balancing are horrendous, but there's potential if the devs decide to fix the issues.”
“However, there are some serious performance issues, crashing on loading screens being the biggest, and I'm not the only one who has had this issue from what I've looked into.”
“Constant crashes, very poor performance (lowering settings made it worse) and constant freezes.”
- replayability24 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
Overall, the game offers a high level of replayability, driven by diverse player-created builds, engaging base mechanics, and the ability to adapt strategies based on others' designs. However, some players feel that the variety in custodian builds and challenges is limited, which can lead to a sense of repetitiveness after a certain point. Future updates and enhancements could further bolster replay value and maintain player interest.
“Watching and looking at other builds gives so many ideas on how to proceed and makes the game super fun and replayable.”
“Infinite replayability, especially if the developers continue the track of empowering builders, but even more so if they empower the players.”
“The game is fun; it's amazing seeing what players come up with for traps and being devious, and the game has a lot of replayability.”
“There just isn't enough variety available in terms of custodian builds and weapons/traps/creatures to keep replayability up.”
“Overall not a bad game but in its current state the advertised endless replayability is far more limited than expected.”
“A unique level sharing code or favorites system which would allow you to go back and challenge for significantly diminished rewards, or 'difficulty modes' alongside this system for enhanced replayability would go a significant way to ensuring levels will continue to come for a substantial amount of time.”
- monetization23 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 57 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been widely criticized for its perceived greed, with players noting inconsistent pricing for in-game purchases and a strong emphasis on cash grabs, particularly through DLC and microtransactions. Many reviewers suggest that the game would benefit from a free-to-play model with cosmetic-only monetization, as the current approach detracts from the overall experience and raises concerns about the game's longevity. Overall, the monetization practices are seen as a major flaw that could hinder the game's success.
“My honest recommendation is to make the game free to play with a cosmetic monetization system.”
“This game makes me think of the Mighty Quest for Epic Loot, except it isn't loaded with so many microtransactions that the game becomes less of a game and more of a scheme.”
“The gameplay loop is very cynical and you can see the obvious gaps waiting to be filled with DLC/microtransactions.”
“However, I have to give it a massive negative review if you're going to price tag a product for $20 just for an easy cash grab. Absolutely disgusting.”
“Overall, the game has a lot of potential, but if handled poorly (microtransactions, essential items behind DLC, etc.), it will not survive.”
“The gameplay loop is very cynical, and you can see the obvious gaps waiting to be filled with DLC/microtransactions.”
- atmosphere12 mentions
- 83 % positive mentions
- 8 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its polished graphics and unique aesthetic, often described as a "doom and gloom" vibe that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the solid integration of movement and combat mechanics with the atmospheric design, contributing to a fun and engaging environment. However, some concerns about the game's longevity and developer responsiveness have been noted, slightly dampening the overall perception of the atmosphere.
“The graphics and atmosphere are top notch, and some of the levels were genuinely fun.”
“Quickly: I love the aesthetic of the game and the 'doom and gloom' atmosphere.”
“The game is well polished, nicely detailed, and has a great atmosphere.”
“Grim atmosphere and solid FPS controls.”
- emotional7 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by players' feelings of frustration and hurt due to ongoing negative feedback, alongside a desire for a more supportive community. Additionally, moments of humor and shared experiences, such as watching others struggle with challenges, evoke laughter and camaraderie, enhancing the emotional connection to the game. Overall, the emotional experience is a mix of pain from criticism and joy from community interactions.
“They were not only angry about the years of complaints but also very deeply hurt emotionally from this constant negative feedback.”
“U can watch replays of anyone who played your level, so I spent 20 minutes watching a Twitch streamer and his co-op buddy get stuck on the same trap over and over as I cried laughing.”
“From all the maps I've played, I've never run into a map that made me feel like it was just a boring killbox.”
- music6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many praising the soundtrack as a solid accompaniment that enhances the gameplay experience without overshadowing it. However, some players feel that the music could be more engaging, suggesting a need for more energetic tracks to match the action. Overall, while the sound design is appreciated, there are calls for more variety and excitement in the musical elements.
“I was actually quite enjoying the game; the art, the music, and the tutorials were great.”
“Soundtrack & sound design: the soundtrack is a solid accompaniment to the action on-screen, setting the tone without stealing the spotlight.”
“This game needs some headbanger music.”
“There is no way to add sounds, music, or effects.”
“Kinda boring... after a few raids, the traps became so obvious it was hard for me to die. Also, this game needs some headbanger music.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Character development is closely tied to the roguelite gameplay loop, where players engage in heists that allow them to gather essential resources, fostering a sense of progression and empowerment as they unleash their inner vandal.
“When raiding, you unleash your inner vandal and enjoy a roguelite gameplay loop as you leave paths of destruction during your attempts to steal resources essential for your character development.”
“The character development system is incredibly deep, allowing players to shape their heroes in unique ways that reflect their personal playstyle.”
“I love how the choices I make in the game directly impact my character's growth and abilities, making every decision feel meaningful.”
“Character development feels shallow and uninspired, making it hard to connect with the characters on a deeper level.”
“The lack of meaningful choices in character progression leaves the gameplay feeling stagnant and unengaging.”
“I expected more depth in character development, but it feels like a missed opportunity to create a more immersive experience.”
Critic Reviews
Meet Your Maker Review
Meet Your Maker's core premise is very strong, but the game's aesthetic and samey levels currently don't live up to that vision. While it can be fun in short bursts, raiding Outposts can quickly become tedious, although building your own stages for others to try is more fulfilling. Unless Behaviour Interactive can deliver much more variety in both gameplay and tools available to players, this game already feels like it's reached its limit.
60%Meet Your Maker – Live. Cry. Repeat.
While some truly brilliant player dungeon designs shine through, Meet Your Maker needlessly over-complicates a simple and fun concept to the point of exasperation.
60%Meet Your Maker Review – Raiders of the Lost GenMat
Meet Your Maker antes up the adventure of pulling off a heist and the artistry of building an impenetrable base. Some players may get put off by the paltry upgrades, but those who crave other kinds of variety will marvel at the many heists to pull off and bases to design right at their fingertips.
80%