Dead Matter, the sandbox survival horror game, has made its way onto Steam. The game, first announced in 2016 and successfully funded through Kickstarter, has garnered significant attention due to its promises of blending survival mechanics with engaging gameplay. However, the initial reception on Steam has been far from positive, with a plethora of negative reviews flooding in.
Back in 2016, Dead Matter made its debut on Kickstarter, where it managed to raise CA$ 285,784 with the support of 5,400 backers. The game’s Kickstarter description painted an ambitious picture, promising a rogue-lite experience that would effectively balance survival mechanics and engaging gameplay.
Originally, the game’s first launch was expected in 2018. However, development delays pushed the release date further, and Dead Matter has been in closed alpha for well over a year before its Steam launch.
Unfortunately, the game’s Steam launch has been marred by a slew of negative reviews, primarily criticizing its technical shortcomings. Many players have reported the game as a “buggy mess,” with complaints ranging from subpar graphics to fundamental gameplay issues.
One reviewer, SlaveToTheGames, succinctly commented, “Just burn the $40.00. It’s a better investment.”
Another player, .exe, was even more critical, stating, “This is possibly the worst game I’ve ever backed. Lol.”
The sentiment among backers and early players has been one of disappointment and frustration. A user named HaloJump, who had backed the game three years ago, lamented, “Backed this game 3 years ago and let me tell you that this [expletive] was a scam.”
HaloJump further criticized the development process, saying, “This game feels like all they did is focus on making a map of Alberta but forgot they’re making a Zombie Survival game.”
While the negative reviews have been overwhelming, the developer, Quantum Integrity Software Inc., has expressed pride in the current state of Dead Matter. Despite numerous bugs and issues, they are charging $40 for access to the game on Steam.
BigfryTV has a great video showing the current state of the game.