Video Game Reviews
Title: Enter the Matrix
Review rating: ***
Platform/console: PS2, GameCube, Xbox, PC
Release date: May 2003
Genre: Action / fighting
Players allowed: 1
ESRB rating: T (mild language, suggestive themes, violence)
Production company: Infogames
You play a supporting role and the camera doesn't do exactly
what you want, but this game still ranks among the best. You
get to choose between Niobe and Ghost as your missions within
the Matrix help Neo, Morpheus and Trinity succeed (if a sequel
to this game is made, these three characters have to be playable-please!).
Niobe and Ghost work well though. Notice how the operator
even hints at what the other is doing to entice you to play
the game as the other character.
The large variety of game modes (fighting, driving, strategy,
evasion, role-playing, etc.) and lots of unlockable items
makes this title highly replayable. Written and directed by
the Wachowski brothers, this title has lots of original material
and storylines closely related to the Matrix Reloaded film
and another Matrix companion media, the Animatrix collection
on VHS and DVD. Lots of exclusive content that was shot at
the same time as Reloaded, especially some nice content about
Niobe's background.
Controls and gameplay work well with acrobatic fighting techniques
and cool bullet-time effects playing a major role in entertaining
the gamer and overall game satisfaction. Bullet time focus
slows down the action so you can better see the air pockets
behind gunfire and green bursts on your targets let you know
you've made a successful hit. You can even slow down your
opponent when you use bullet time focus. Some movements look
unnatural, like climbing motions up a chain link fence, but
can be easily overlooked.
Now for some issues - the camera basically centers on the
character, which gives you a great perspective during the
game except when you're close to structures, walls and other
objects. That's when the camera's view is often distorted
and even totally blocked so you can't see what you're doing.
Environments are well detailed, but may irritate some due
to dark environment were it's hard to navigate (especially
if you have a lower quality television). You always have help
from the operator when you're lost and a directional arrow,
but running through too many empty rooms with no interactive
elements gets a little old.
Overall a fantastic game that has enough substance to satisfy
gamers who are serious Matrix fans and who are willing to
spend the time to get to those satisfying cut-scenes and special
modes. Use of the hacking feature gives you're the ability
to type in cheats through DOS prompt as well as unlocking
several special items and abilities.
Review by Michael Siebenaler
© Infogames
®
