The Matrix Online

"Jack-In to Excitement!"

The Matrix Online, launched early in 2005, is a fine example of what a MMORPG can and should be. Building off the established mythology, MxO (as the game is known) allows players something no other online game can offer: the ability to add on, decide and even possibly rewrite the canonical history of one of the most well-loved movie franchises of all time.

Graphics – 9/10
While The Matrix Online definitely requires a decent computer, the result is well worth it. On the standard settings, a player runs through a thriving city where rain falls, grass sways and lights shimmer and reflect naturally; the highest in-game settings are even more incredible than that, expanding virtually every image to a point of ridiculous beauty. Bullet holes rip through walls and code flows while first jacking into Mega City, not to mention the random bullet time effects which randomly appear with powerful moves during battle.

Sound – 7/10
While the sound effects are absolutely fabulous, the one thing that brings The Matrix Online's score down is the background music. Incredibly repetitive, it grows tired quickly. Thankfully, an in-game webcast radio system has been implemented, allowing players to listen to online radio while playing the game. By substituting your own music, a player is able to listen to their favorite jazz station, rock out to the Top 40 or even listen to Radio Free Zion, a player-run Matrix Online radio station which will broadcast game news between songs.

Gameplay – 10/10
While the Matrix Online consists of the usual MMORPG classes (healers, mages, damage-dealers), it also promotes a very free skill system. In accordance with The Matrix movies, MxO gives the player the ability to ‘jack-in' new skills as needed (and if you're the appropriate level to use them). This lends to an incredibly open-ended play experience that not only caters to the traditional ‘stick with one class' player, but the casual gamer interested in playing with his or her options. The battle system is initially strange but, after a short period of time, becomes almost second nature. A small nitpick is that, in close combat, many of the standard, non-special moves are the same, lending to (occasionally) repetitive-looking battles; this is overshadowed, however, when the player realizes that they can just as easily switch to a new class and new battle animations. The only unfortunate link in the Matrix Online chain is this: the character customization is low. Players are offered a small number of physical choices to define their character and clothing options for males are limited. Many of the games ‘buffs' or ‘enhancements' come from clothing, which also leads to many players wearing the same articles of clothing.

Overall, The Matrix Online is a fabulously urban departure from the many fantasy MMORPG titles on the market. With an ongoing and comprehensive storyline which can be affected by players, MxO is perfect for anyone who has ever wanted to sit across the table from an Agent, shake hands with Morpheus or be yelled at by The Merovingian.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 04/13/05