Dead Matter in Early Access: A Cautious Look at a Long-Awaited Survival Experience
QI Games released the open-world survival simulator Dead Matter in Steam Early Access after more than five years of development. On its very first day, the project drew a wave of negative feedback from players, signaling that expectations were not met at launch.
At the time this was written, the game holds a low rating of 15 percent on Steam, reflecting widespread user dissatisfaction with the initial build and ongoing performance issues.
This is what some players have shared in their reviews:
“One of the most broken early access games I’ve ever played in 30 years. I had six crashes in an hour, multiplayer has serious sync and vehicle issues. It’s just not worth the money until this endless list of bugs is fixed, and I’m not sure they ever will be fixed.” — psisyn.
“What is this? How did it reach release after so many years? Steam is crowded with games where a single creator builds a better product for a hard-earned dollar. Here, the development team couldn’t even produce a working build for what was marketed as a multi-million dollar effort.” — Ascetic.
“The game performs almost as poorly as it did years ago during closed alpha testing. Zombies wander through cars. Persistent friezes.” — vanceblastovik.
The core action of Dead Matter unfolds in 2025 within the Canadian province of Alberta. A mysterious virus has decimated much of humanity, turning many people into bloodthirsty zombies. The player’s objective is simple in theory: survive as long as possible and secure essential supplies in a radically altered world.
The emphasis of the experience is not limited to combat alone. The title leans into a robust multiplayer component where players team up or compete to endure the post-apocalyptic environment. In addition to facing waves of infected foes, players must carefully manage their character’s hunger and thirst, treat injuries, and disinfect wounds to prevent setbacks that could end a run early.
The game introduces a set of systemic features designed to deepen immersion. A dynamic weather and season cycle influences resource availability and tactical decisions. Players can construct and fortify bases, grow crops, and navigate the world with controlled transportation options. Non-player characters are fully voiced, aiming to add a layer of realism to the survival narrative.
Dead Matter is available on Steam, with a price point that includes a limited-time discount, noted as a 10 percent reduction valid for a specified window. The offer is described within the Steam storefront as a time-bound incentive for new buyers, with the potential for further content patches and updates as development continues.
In the broader context of survival gaming, Dead Matter’s early reception highlights the gap that can exist between ambitious scope and the realities of ongoing development. Early access titles often face a tension between player expectations for polish and the iterative process needed to reach broader stability. Observers note that the project’s long development cycle may have raised expectations for a finished product that many fans hoped to experience sooner, while others emphasize the importance of clear communication and consistent updates during active development.
For players considering involvement at this stage, the decision may hinge on tolerance for ongoing updates and potential changes. Enthusiasts who enjoy cooperative play and base-building systems might still find value in the evolving world, especially as new content and optimizations are introduced over time. Caution is advised for players seeking a seamless, fully polished experience at launch, given the current feedback and rating trajectory.
As the turbulent reception continues to unfold, supporters and skeptics alike are likely watching closely how Dead Matter evolves. The developers have a chance to address the reported issues through patches, performance improvements, and expanded gameplay features that align with player expectations in a post-pandemic survival setting. The path forward will depend on ongoing communication, timely updates, and demonstrated improvements across both single-player and multiplayer modes.
Note: This article discusses the game based on user reviews and public impressions, along with official store notes. Attribution for opinions and ratings is included where relevant to provide context for readers who want to explore different viewpoints and developer commentary in relation to Dead Matter.