Enter the Matrix

I finished the game Enter the Matrix (PS2 version) and while the game play itself was nothing ground-breaking, the experience was ultra-cool.

The game takes place during the second of the trilogy (Matrix Reloaded). The script for the game was written by the Wachowski brothers (the same ones that wrote the trilogy) and was designed from the beginning to be a part of the entire Matrix story, a companion, if you will. The main characters in the game played somewhat minor roles in the movies but are given some excellent character development during the game's unfolding. In fact, the game fills in some questions about the movies and provides motivation for what these characters do in the films.

You chose to be Niobe or Ghost of the Logos ship. Once your character is chosen, the plot follows their role during the Matrix Reloaded movie and some of the cut scenes are actual footage from the movie where these two characters actually met up with the main characters of the series. Once you have completed the game as one of the characters, you will want to re-play as the other character. Even though there is some overlap, most of the missions for each character are unique. This is a refreshing change from most games that allow character selection.

The game play is mostly about hand to hand combat in the Matrix and each character has their own signature moves to dispatch the bad guys. Your main challenge is to manage your "focus" which is what enables the player to manipulate the Matrix. This is accomplished in the game by slowing the action down allowing your character to gain an advantage on all the other characters. Bullets wiz past you as you run in slow motion to your target and finish them off. But the player is only allowed a certain amount of time in this mode. Once the focus is used up it will replenish but you must fight in real time while your focus meter goes up. Most of the acrobatics from the movies can be pulled off including multiple spinning kicks, dive rolls and various cartwheels.

The cut scenes are really the best part of this game. Apart from actual movie footage and footage not in the films, the animated models of the movie characters is excellent. The game makers have not only animated Niobe and Ghost but you will also see an animated Trinity, Seraph and Agent Smith. The "Twins" also play a main role in one of the missions as you play out Niobe and Ghost's role in the famous highway chase. Other cool tidbits in the movie scenes are the first glimpses of the new Oracle (explaining how she can look completely different) and some girl on girl action when Niobe must kiss Persephone (the Merovingian's wife) as she forced Neo to do in the movie.

In general, this title isn't great as a game. After seeing the slow motion moves a number of times, it can become tedious. But the levels usually provide some challenging areas and you must complete them to see the cut scenes (incentive). In fact, there is one mission that if you fail you will miss out on a couple of cut scenes as well as several resulting levels of gameplay. The last unique thing about this game is the "Hacking" selection. Basically, this is a built in cheat system that allows you to manipulate your save games to enter cheat codes. It also allows you to view other content that isn't directly in the game. There is also a multiplayer mode that can be unlocked in the "Hacking" mode but I never tried that particular code so I am not sure what actually happens.

Overall, I recommend renting this one, especially if you are a fan of the trilogy. You won't be disappointed if you are a fan wanting to see the never seen before movie footage. Where most games based on movies just re-hash what you see in the movie, Enter the Matrix adds to the story and enhances the whole of the experience.