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Mato Anomalies

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Mato Anomalies
Item: Mato Anomalies
Author: Critik Editorial Team

2023

GenresAdventure, Third Person Perspective, RPG, Visual Novel, Anime and JRPG, Strategy, Mystery, Single Player

AvailableMar 10, 2023

PlatformPlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, PC, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

DeveloperArrowiz

Overview

Mato Anomalies is a turn-based RPG that takes players on a journey across Mato, a fantasized neo-futuristic version of a bygone oriental city. Take control of the Dual Protagonists Doe and Gram to investigate strange anomalies around the city, or venture into rifts to battle demonic abominations determined to bring about the city's downfall. Team up with unlikely companions and unravel the dark secrets in this story of Duty, Hope and Justice.

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Game analysis

Critik Scorecard

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Story and Narrative

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

32%

Mixed (50-79)

54%

Negative (0-49)

14%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Story of Mato Anomalies are varied, with some praising its strengths and others pointing out its weaknesses. COGconnected commends the story for its exploration of the weight of modern life and its strong opinions about society. GameGrin also praises the story, describing it as intriguing and full of mystery, while Hey Poor Player highlights the well-developed relationships between the characters. These positive opinions indicate that the story of Mato Anomalies has elements that resonate with certain critics, such as its troubled characters and intriguing mysteries. However, there are also several critics who express negative opinions about the story. Checkpoint Gaming finds the story confusing and overloaded with themes, making it hard to understand and follow. God is a Geek and RPGamer both criticize the story for being convoluted and filled with excessive elements, making it difficult to take seriously. Digitally Downloaded points out the lack of depth and character development in the story, while Nintendo Life describes it as clunky and filled with too many ideas and factions, making it difficult to maintain focus or stay invested. These negative opinions suggest that the story of Mato Anomalies suffers from issues such as convoluted plotlines, shallow social critique, and lack of character development. Overall, the consensus among the critics is mixed. While some critics appreciate the story's strengths, such as its troubled characters, intriguing mysteries, and well-developed relationships, others criticize it for being confusing, convoluted, and lacking depth. The positive opinions from COGconnected, GameGrin, and Hey Poor Player indicate that there are aspects of the story that resonate with certain critics, but the negative opinions from Checkpoint Gaming, God is a Geek, and Nintendo Life highlight the story's weaknesses in terms of confusion, convoluted plotlines, and lack of depth. It is important to note that the opinions of the critics are subjective and may vary depending on individual preferences.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Critics have mixed opinions on the Story of Mato Anomalies. Some praise its exploration of modern life, intriguing mysteries, and well-developed relationships, while others criticize it for being confusing, convoluted, and lacking depth. Positive reviews highlight troubled characters and strong social critique, while negative reviews point out overloaded themes and shallow character development. Overall, the story resonates with certain critics but falls short for others due to its complex plotlines and lack of depth.

Gameplay Mechanics

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

82%

Negative (0-49)

14%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The opinions of the critics regarding the gameplay of Mato Anomalies are quite varied. There are several positive aspects that stand out. Critics such as God is a Geek and Digitally Downloaded praise the enjoyable combat mechanics, with God is a Geek specifically mentioning the satisfying feeling of unlocking upgrades. Hey Poor Player also highlights the unique gameplay experience offered by the dual protagonist approach and the fast-paced and accessible combat system. RPG Fan and PlayStation Universe appreciate the robust and engaging combat and exploration segments. These positive opinions suggest that the gameplay of Mato Anomalies has some enjoyable elements that resonate with certain critics. However, there are also negative aspects that critics point out. Checkpoint Gaming and Nintendo Life criticize the gameplay for becoming repetitive, with Checkpoint Gaming specifically mentioning the excessive grinding required. The Games Machine and Wccftech find the gameplay mechanics uninteresting and lacking strategic depth, with Wccftech specifically stating that the combat feels dull and unexciting. Nintendo Life further criticizes the combat for being clunky and underwhelming, with repetitive backtracking and uninspired conversations. Twinfinite and SpazioGames express dissatisfaction with the combat and mind/hack gameplay, finding them uninteresting and annoyingly difficult, respectively. These negative opinions suggest that the gameplay of Mato Anomalies has some flaws that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the consensus among the critics is mixed. While there are positive aspects mentioned by multiple critics, such as the enjoyable combat mechanics and unique gameplay elements, there are also negative aspects, including repetitiveness, lack of depth, and uninteresting combat. Critics such as GameGrin and IGN France provide a more positive perspective, highlighting the action, variety, and well-balanced difficulty. On the other hand, critics like Multiplayer.it and CGMagazine offer a more negative view, pointing out the lack of variety, monotonous gameplay, and run-of-the-mill JRPG mechanics. The overall sentiment towards the gameplay of Mato Anomalies leans towards a somewhat enjoyable experience, but with noticeable flaws that prevent it from fully reaching its potential.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Critics have mixed opinions on the gameplay of Mato Anomalies. Positive aspects include enjoyable combat mechanics and unique gameplay elements, while negatives include repetitiveness, lack of depth, and uninteresting combat. Some find the combat satisfying and engaging, while others criticize it for being dull and repetitive. Overall, the game offers an enjoyable experience but falls short due to noticeable flaws.

Graphics and Visual Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

35%

Mixed (50-79)

58%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The opinions of the critics regarding the graphics and visual design of Mato Anomalies are varied, with both positive and negative aspects being highlighted. Several critics praised the game's visual aesthetics and art direction. COGconnected commended the cyberpunk city of Mato, while Checkpoint Gaming mentioned the impressive post-apocalyptic city of Telosma, drawing inspiration from urban Chinese cities. GameGrin and Noisy Pixel both appreciated the manga aesthetic and unique presentation of the game. IGN France and IGN Spain praised the visually striking mix of futuristic and Chinese-inspired aesthetics in the city of Mato, with holograms, neon lights, and detailed environments. Hey Poor Player and Nintenderos also highlighted the fantastic art design, with neon-soaked, Old Shanghai-influenced architecture and environments. However, there were also criticisms regarding the graphics and visual design. RPGamer mentioned the lack of visual design in Mato Anomalies, with one-off NPCs lacking eyes and cutscenes feeling disconnected from the rest of the game. Digitally Downloaded criticized the disjoined and sharp visual transitions between the real world and the rift worlds, giving the game a B-grade presentational quality. PlayStation Universe and Push Square mentioned that while the character design and monster imagery were remarkable, the surroundings and level design were repetitive and bland. SpazioGames criticized the compromises made in terms of detail, polygonal modeling, and texture quality due to budget limitations and cross-platform compatibility. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Mato Anomalies has a unique and visually appealing presentation, with its cyberpunk, post-apocalyptic, and Chinese-inspired aesthetics. The game's art design, character design, and comic book-style visuals were praised by multiple critics. However, there were also criticisms regarding certain aspects such as stiff animations, repetitive environments, and lack of polish in some areas. It is worth noting that some critics highlighted the limitations imposed by budget and technical constraints. Despite these criticisms, the overall sentiment is that Mato Anomalies has a stylish and ambitious visual design that contributes positively to the game's atmosphere and storytelling.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Critics have mixed opinions on the graphics and visual design of Mato Anomalies. The game received praise for its unique cyberpunk, post-apocalyptic, and Chinese-inspired aesthetics, with commendations for its art direction and character designs. However, criticisms include disjointed visual transitions, repetitive environments, and compromises in detail due to budget constraints. Overall, while some flaws were noted, critics agree that Mato Anomalies boasts a stylish and ambitious visual design that enhances its atmosphere and storytelling.

Music and Sound Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

39%

Mixed (50-79)

56%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Sound Design and Music of Mato Anomalies are generally positive. Many critics praise the game's soundtrack, with mentions of haunting tunes, fitting jazzy music, and a combination of electronic and orchestral music that creates an immersive atmosphere. Critics like COGconnected, The Games Machine, Nintenderos, PlayStation Universe, RPG Fan, and TheXboxHub all highlight the music as one of the best elements of the game. The sound design is also commended by critics like Wccftech and TheXboxHub, who mention solid sound design and well-acted dialogue contributing to the overall experience. However, there are some negatives mentioned by critics regarding the Sound Design and Music of Mato Anomalies. RPGamer states that the music is forgettable, while Push Square and Shacknews mention that the vocal barks and repetitive quips during combat become grating and annoying. IGN Spain points out that some tones in the voice work don't match the on-screen events, and SpazioGames mentions typos and punctuation errors in the text localization. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the Sound Design and Music of Mato Anomalies are positive aspects of the game. The majority of critics appreciate the fitting and immersive soundtrack, with each scene and location having its own musical theme. The voice acting is generally well-received, with multiple critics praising its execution and fitting the game's setting. However, there are some criticisms regarding repetitive vocal barks, mismatched tones, and localization issues. Despite these negatives, the overall sentiment is that the Sound Design and Music of Mato Anomalies contribute positively to the game's atmosphere and experience.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Critics largely praise the sound design and music of Mato Anomalies, highlighting its immersive soundtrack and well-acted dialogue. While some mention forgettable music and annoying vocal elements, the overall consensus is positive, with critics appreciating the fitting atmosphere created by the music and voice acting.

Voice Acting

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING

Acting Score

Positive (80-100)

29%

Mixed (50-79)

57%

Negative (0-49)

14%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.

The opinions of the critics regarding the voice acting in Mato Anomalies are varied. Some critics, such as Checkpoint Gaming and IGN Spain, praise the voice acting, mentioning that it is well done and fits the game's setting. They appreciate the execution and quality of the voice work, indicating that it enhances the overall experience. Additionally, GameGrin highlights the great voice work specifically in the cinematic stories, suggesting that the voice acting successfully brings the narrative to life. However, there are also critics who express some negative opinions about the voice acting in Mato Anomalies. RPGamer mentions that the voice acting becomes repetitive and grating, indicating that it may not meet the expectations of some players. COGconnected points out that characters never shut up during battles, which can be seen as a drawback for those who prefer a more immersive and focused gameplay experience. Overall, the consensus among the critics is somewhat mixed. While there are positive remarks about the voice acting, with several critics praising its quality and fittingness, there are also negative comments about certain aspects. Wccftech mentions that the English voice acting is competent but impacted by wonky English localization, which suggests that there may be some inconsistencies in the delivery. PLAY! Zine even goes as far as describing the English voice acting as poor, suggesting that players may prefer to provide their own voices while reading the visual novel segments. However, it is worth noting that there are also critics, like RPG Fan, Shacknews, and SomosXbox, who find the voice acting to be well-done or decent overall. In conclusion, the voice acting in Mato Anomalies receives a mix of positive and negative feedback from the critics. While some appreciate the quality and fittingness of the voice work, others criticize aspects such as repetitiveness and wonky localization. The overall consensus seems to be that the voice acting is decent or good, but there are areas where it could have been improved or utilized more effectively, especially during lengthy dialogue scenes.

TL;DR

voice acting

Critics have mixed opinions on the voice acting in Mato Anomalies. Some praise its quality and fittingness, enhancing the overall experience, while others find it repetitive and detracting from immersion. Despite some drawbacks like wonky localization and excessive dialogue, the general consensus leans towards decent or good voice acting, with room for improvement in certain areas.

Technical Performance

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

50%

Mixed (50-79)

25%

Negative (0-49)

25%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.

In terms of the technical performance on PC, the game Mato Anomalies receives positive feedback from Wccftech, who states that it runs smoothly with no major bugs, crashes, or stuttering issues. This indicates that the PC version of the game provides a stable and enjoyable experience for players. Moving on to the Nintendo Switch platform, there is a mixed sentiment regarding the technical performance. Digitally Downloaded mentions that the frame rate jitters on the Switch, making it uncomfortable to play. Hey Poor Player and Nintendo Life also highlight frame rate fluctuations and choppiness, with the former expecting a day-one patch to address these issues. However, Nintenderos states that while there were some frame rate drops, they didn't significantly impact the overall experience. Nintenduo adds that Mato Anomalies maintains stable performance on the Nintendo Switch, with only occasional minor framerate issues. Despite the mentioned performance issues, it can be inferred that the game is still playable and offers a solid experience on the Switch. On the PlayStation 5 platform, the technical performance of Mato Anomalies is generally praised. IGN France commends the game for its technical performance and stability on PC, Steamdeck, and PlayStation 5, with support for ultrawide screens. Push Square mentions some minor frame rate issues, but overall, the game performs well. SpazioGames also notes that the game runs smoothly on PlayStation 5, with only minor frame rate drops and one crash in over twenty-five hours of gameplay. These positive reviews indicate that the PlayStation 5 version of Mato Anomalies provides a stable and enjoyable experience for players. Lastly, on the Xbox Series X platform, the technical performance of Mato Anomalies is mostly positive. Everyeye.it highlights that the game runs at a stable frame rate of 60 frames per second with occasional and barely noticeable drops during intense combat. They also mention that the loading times between different areas of the city may be a slight inconvenience, but not a significant problem. SomosXbox states that the game performs well without any noticeable bugs. However, ZTGD describes the game as feeling like a budget title with some unpolished aspects, such as jarring transitions and abrupt menus. Despite this negative review, the overall sentiment suggests that the Xbox Series X version of Mato Anomalies provides a satisfactory technical performance. In conclusion, the critics' opinions regarding the technical performance of Mato Anomalies vary across different gaming platforms. While the PC version receives positive feedback for its smooth performance, the Nintendo Switch version is criticized for frame rate issues, albeit with some reviewers mentioning that they don't significantly impact the overall experience. The PlayStation 5 version is generally praised for its stability and performance, with only minor frame rate drops mentioned. The Xbox Series X version also receives positive feedback, although one critic mentions some unpolished aspects. Overall, the game seems to offer a stable and enjoyable technical performance across multiple platforms, with some minor issues present.

TL;DR

technical performance

Mato Anomalies earns praise for smooth performance on PC, while facing frame rate challenges on the Nintendo Switch. The PlayStation 5 version is generally acclaimed for stability, with minor frame rate drops. On the Xbox Series X, the game delivers a stable experience, despite some unpolished elements. Overall, Mato Anomalies offers an enjoyable technical performance across platforms, with minor issues reported.

Replay Value

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

11%

Mixed (50-79)

78%

Negative (0-49)

11%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of Mato Anomalies are varied. Some critics, such as Nintenderos and Nintenduo, highlight the game's good length of around 30 hours, making it worth playing for fans of the genre. Nintenduo also mentions that the game offers additional content to unlock, which adds to its replay value depending on the player's enjoyment of combat and side missions. IGN Spain also notes that the game offers different difficulty modes and an auto-combat feature, providing options for players who prefer exploration and conversations. These positive aspects suggest that there are elements within Mato Anomalies that can encourage replayability and cater to different playstyles. However, there are also critics who express concerns about the game's replay value. Checkpoint Gaming mentions that the game requires excessive grinding and lacks a strong narrative, which may discourage replayability. Wccftech points out that while the game offers optional side quests and dungeons, the lack of innovation and dull combat may limit its replayability. Nintendo Life also suggests that the overall experience of the game may test the player's patience more than it entertains, which could potentially impact its replay value. These negative aspects highlight potential drawbacks that may hinder players from wanting to replay Mato Anomalies. Overall, the consensus among the critics is mixed. While some critics acknowledge the game's length and additional content as positive factors for replay value, others raise concerns about the lack of innovation, dull combat, excessive grinding, and weak narrative. TheXboxHub, for instance, emphasizes that the game is not described as having high replayability, but the strength of the story and interesting characters make it highly recommended. PLAY! Zine suggests waiting for a discount if only a few elements of the game are of interest, indicating that the overall replay value may not be strong enough to warrant a full-price purchase. Taking into account the different opinions, it can be concluded that while Mato Anomalies offers some replay value through its length, additional challenges, and options for customization, it may not fully satisfy players seeking strong narrative or innovative gameplay mechanics.

TL;DR

replay value

Critics are divided on the replay value of Mato Anomalies. Some praise its length, additional content, and gameplay options that cater to different playstyles, suggesting potential for replayability. However, concerns about excessive grinding, weak narrative, and dull combat raise doubts about its ability to keep players engaged for multiple playthroughs. The consensus is mixed, with some recommending the game for its story and characters, while others advise waiting for a discount due to limited replay value. Ultimately, while Mato Anomalies offers some replay potential, it may not fully satisfy those seeking a compelling narrative or innovative gameplay.

Overall Verdict

CRITIK

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Critik Score

Positive (80-100)

12%

Mixed (50-79)

80%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

Mato Anomalies received a mix of positive and negative opinions from the critics. In terms of positives, the game was praised for its intriguing blend of genres, captivating atmosphere, and engaging story. Critics such as RPGamer and SomosXbox commended the game for its unique and interesting gameplay experience, with the latter highlighting the exploration of themes not commonly seen in the genre. TheXboxHub also praised the cohesive blend of different genres, strong story, interesting characters, and enjoyable gameplay. Additionally, Wccftech and PLAY! Zine recommended the game for fans of role-playing games, particularly those who enjoy the Persona series. However, the game also faced criticism in several areas. The most common negative feedback centered around the confusing narrative, repetitive gameplay, excessive grinding, and lack of depth in story and character development. Checkpoint Gaming and Digitally Downloaded mentioned the confusing story and repetitive gameplay as major drawbacks, while The Games Machine and Nintendo Life criticized the uninspired combat, repetitive level design, and weak writing. Furthermore, Noisy Pixel and Multiplayer.it highlighted the lack of focus and refinement in the game, with the former mentioning the confusing narrative and the latter stating that the individual parts lacked depth and complexity. Taking into account the opinions of the critics, the overall consensus on Mato Anomalies leans towards a mixed reception. While some critics praised the game for its unique blend of genres, captivating atmosphere, and engaging story, others highlighted its shortcomings such as confusing narrative, repetitive gameplay, and lack of depth. The positive aspects of the game seem to resonate more with critics like TheXboxHub, SomosXbox, and RPGamer, who appreciated the cohesive blend of genres, intriguing gameplay experience, and strong story. On the other hand, critics such as Nintendo Life, Multiplayer.it, and Digitally Downloaded expressed more negative sentiments, pointing out the game's flaws in execution, lack of depth, and repetitive elements. Overall, it seems that Mato Anomalies may appeal to fans of specific mechanics or settings, but it falls short of delivering a satisfying experience for all players.

TL;DR

Mato Anomalies received mixed reviews, praised for its unique blend of genres and engaging story by some critics like TheXboxHub, but criticized for confusing narrative and repetitive gameplay by others like Nintendo Life. While some appreciated its captivating atmosphere, others pointed out flaws in execution and lack of depth. Overall, the game seems to cater more to specific tastes rather than offering a universally satisfying experience.

CRITIK

Reviews

53 reviews found

SomosXbox

Xbox Series X

Mar 10, 2023

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Mato Anomalies offers a unique and interesting gameplay experience with a narrative that explores themes not commonly seen in the genre. It is a challenging game with layers of depth that will appeal to fans of visual novels and JRPGs.

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Hey Poor Player

Nintendo Switch

Mar 9, 2023

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Despite the performance issues, Mato Anomalies is a standout JRPG that offers a refreshing and accessible experience. It is recommended for both genre fans and newcomers.

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TheXboxHub

Xbox Series X

Mar 20, 2023

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The game is praised for its cohesive blend of different genres, strong story, interesting characters, and enjoyable gameplay. It is recommended despite feeling slightly padded to extend the run time.

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Nintenderos

Nintendo Switch

Mar 27, 2023

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Mato Anomalies is a pure and innovative role-playing game with an interesting mix of genres, but its repetitive combat and simple dungeon design may not appeal to all players.

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Wccftech

Mar 10, 2023

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Mato Anomalies is a compelling experience with an engaging story, charming characters, and solid RPG mechanics. It is recommended for role-playing game fans, especially fans of the Persona series.

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RPG Fan

PlayStation 5

Apr 3, 2023

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The game starts strong but falters towards the end, making it a frustrating experience despite its solid gameplay and presentation.

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COGconnected

Apr 3, 2023

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

If you're in the mood for biting social commentary and atmospheric dystopian cyberpunk, play Mato Anomalies. Otherwise, you can safely skip this title.

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GameGrin

Mar 22, 2023

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

The review states that Mato Anomalies is a good game with a few negatives, and recommends it to fans of futuristic neo-noir games.

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PLAY! Zine

PlayStation 4

Apr 7, 2023

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Mato Anomalies is recommended for fans of anime-themed games or JRPGs, with the caveat that some elements may not appeal to everyone. The game is praised for its music and improvements over the developer's previous title.

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Shacknews

PlayStation 5

Mar 10, 2023

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Mato Anomalies has a compelling story and interesting combat system, but is held back by repetitive annoyances and lack of enemy variety.

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