Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 11, 2026

Matterfall

Matterfall is a 2017 side-scrolling shooter video game developed by Housemarque and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. The game was released for the PlayStation 4 in August 2017. It received mixed reviews from critics.

Last revised
Jun 11, 2026
Read time
≈ 3 min
Length
639 w
Citations
26
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Matterfall
DeveloperHousemarque
PublisherSony Interactive Entertainment
DirectorTommi Hartikainen
DesignerJari Hokkanen
PlatformPlayStation 4
Release
  • NA: 15 August 2017
  • EU: 16 August 2017
GenreShooter
ModeSingle-player

Matterfall is a 2017 side-scrolling shooter video game developed by Housemarque and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. The game was released for the PlayStation 4 in August 2017. It received mixed reviews from critics.

Gameplay

Matterfall is a side-scrolling shooter game with platforming elements.12 The game is set on a futuristic science fiction world that has been infected by an alien material known as "Smart Matter".1 The player takes control of Avalon Darrow who dons an armoured battle suit.12 Darrow can jump, dodge, and blast aliens.12 Darrow can also create platforms to explore the environment and generate shields to deflect attacks of enemies.2

Development and release

Matterfall was developed by Housemarque and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. The game was announced in October 2015 during Paris Games Week.3 It was released for PlayStation 4 on 15 August 2017 in North America and in Europe on the following day.12 Sony offered a copy of the game's soundtrack and a PlayStation 4 theme as a pre-order incentive for Matterfall.2

Reception

Matterfall received "mixed or average" reviews from critics, according to review aggregator platform Metacritic.4 In Game Informer's Reader's Choice Best of 2017 Awards, the game came in fourth place each for "Best Sony Game" and "Best Action Game".13 It was also nominated for "Arcade Game" at The Independent Game Developers' Association Awards 2017,14 and for "Control Design, 2D or Limited 3D" at the 17th Annual National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers Awards.1516

References

References

  1. Faller, Patrick (12 June 2017). "E3 2017: Sci-Fi Side-Scroller Matterfall Gets Release Date, New Trailer". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 23 October 2017. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  2. Sousa, Pedro (13 June 2017). "Housemarque's explosive PS4 twin-stick shooter Matterfall releases 16th August". PlayStation Blog. Archived from the original on 13 June 2017. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  3. Sarkar, Samit (27 October 2015). "Matterfall coming to PS4 from Housemarque". Polygon. Archived from the original on 6 September 2017. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  4. "Matterfall for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 6 September 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  5. Saltzman, Mitchell (15 August 2017). "Matterfall Review". IGN. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  6. Barker, Sammy (15 August 2017). "Matterfall Review (PS4)". Push Square. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  7. Carter, Chris (15 August 2017). "Review: Matterfall". Destructoid. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  8. Gwaltney, Javy (15 August 2017). "Matterfall Review - You Shall Know Your Velocity". Game Informer. Archived from the original on 17 August 2017. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  9. Winslow, Jeremy (15 August 2017). "Matterfall Review". GameSpot. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  10. Minotti, Mike (14 August 2017). "Matterfall review — a hectic and challenging take on side-scroller shooting". VentureBeat. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  11. Carsillo, Ray (14 August 2017). "Matterfall review". Electronic Gaming Monthly. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  12. Quinn, Brendan (15 August 2017). "Matterfall (PlayStation 4) Review". Computer Games Magazine. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  13. Cork, Jeff (4 January 2018). "Reader's Choice Best Of 2017 Awards". Game Informer. Archived from the original on 6 January 2018. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
  14. "2017 Winners". The Independent Game Developers' Association. 2 November 2017. Archived from the original on 19 January 2025. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  15. "Nominee List for 2017". National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers. 9 February 2018. Retrieved 15 February 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  16. "Horizon wins 7; Mario GOTY". National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers. 13 March 2018. Retrieved 14 March 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
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