Lightmatter
| Lightmatter | |
|---|---|
 Steam header art | |
| Developer | Tunnel Vision Games |
| Publisher | Aspyr |
| Platform | Microsoft Windows |
| Release | 15 January 2020 |
| Genre | Puzzle |
Lightmatter is a 2020 puzzle video game developed by Tunnel Vision Games and published by Aspyr for Microsoft Windows.
Gameplay
[edit]
The game is a puzzle video game played in first-person perspective. Players are guided by a scientist, Virgil, through a mountain range and laboratory whilst avoiding shadows made dangerous from an experiment gone awry. They must use light-emitting objects to avoid shadows cast by objects in the environment. A portable spotlight can emit light, but cannot be taken into an area with shadow. A photon connector can help generate a consistent beam of light, but must connect a line between two nodes with a line of sight.[1][2]
Development and release
[edit]Lightmatter was developed by Danish independent developer Tunnel Vision Games, led by a six-person development studio for over three years.[3][4] The concept for the game originated as an idea shared between five members, who were friends at Aalborg University, who decided to develop the game after graduation.[3] Programmer Benjamin Overgaard stated the visual design for the game's lighting system, created in the Unity engine, was inspired by the photography of Serge Najjar and the games Manifold Garden and White Night.[4] Tunnel Vision co-founder Philip Nymann stated that the game was commercially successful, but the company ended operations after release as the studio was unwilling to "develop new ways of making money from players" to sustain the business.[3] In 2025, the studio released Lightmatter Anniversary, featuring prototype versions and commentary from the developers about the making of the game.[5]
Reception
[edit]| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | 73%[6] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Edge | 7/10[7] |
| Hardcore Gamer | 4/5[2] |
| Slant Magazine | 3/5[1] |
| TechRaptor | 8/10[8] |
| Screen Rant | 7/10[9] |
According to review aggregator website Metacritic, Lightmatter received "mixed or average" reviews.[6]
References
[edit]- 1 2 Riccio, Aaron (13 January 2020). "Lightmatter Review: Tunnel Vision's First-Person Puzzler Coasts on One Bright Idea". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
- 1 2 Cunningham, James (14 January 2020). "Review: Lightmatter". Hardcore Gamer. Archived from the original on 15 January 2020. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
- 1 2 3 "The dream came true: Tunnel Vision Games shuts down with no new projects". Digital Hub Denmark. 10 June 2020. Archived from the original on 24 September 2021. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
- 1 2 Overgaard, Benjamin (28 February 2020). "Programming visual effects for Lightmatter". Game Developer. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
- ↑ "Lightmatter Anniversary". Steam. Tunnel Vision Games. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
- 1 2 "Lightmatter". Metacritic. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
- ↑ "Lightmatter". Edge. No. 342. p. 122.
- ↑ Guglielmo, Samuel (13 January 2020). "Lightmatter Review". TechRaptor. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
- ↑ Gordon, Rob (15 January 2020). "Lightmatter Review: An Illuminating Puzzle Game". Screen Rant. Retrieved 9 August 2026.