Enter the Matrix

"Amazing Mr. Anderson."

Hmmm, lets see. How do I start? So many things to talk about! Alrighty then.

Usually, I think that you should beat a game before you review it but in this case, I'll make an exception. I'm almost done so let the review continue.

Enter the Matrix (ETM) is easily one of the best games I've ever played! It is up there with classics like Kingdom Hearts, Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine, and Day of Defeat (classics in my mind).

Alright. I bought this game opening day. I couldn't wait! On May 15th (day it came out), I also went to see the movie! Both were great but this game is just, great!

But you didn't come here just to here my praises for this game. You came to see why I praise this game. Here it goes...

Graphics- 8/10

These babies are sweet candy! I mean, these are really great. The FMV's are animated almost to the point where you can't tell if it is movie footage or the game! I've watched some of these and almost cried they looked so good. They are very clean and smooth. they flow well also! Extremely good.

The reason for me dropping the two points is the fact that while you are playing the game, the graphics can get a bit, umm, crappy. Yes, despite how nice they look, I can't deny how bad it looks when Ghost climbs up a latter. It doesn't look good at all. Sometimes in some FMV's, the graphics obviously weren't the biggest priority! This is why I dropped the graphics grade a little.

Story- 10/10

Very nice. It is basically Reloaded from a completely different standpoint. You can play as either Niobe or Ghost instead of Neo or Morphieus or Trinity.

Picture this. The world we live in is a fake. Nothing is real. All it is are brainwaves projecting pictures, which ultimately gives the machines, those that control us, power they need to survive. That is the Matrix. Your goal as either Ghost or Niobe is to stop the machines from destroying the last human city on earth, Zion. Believe me, this is no easy task!

The great thing about the story is while ultimately it is the same, who you play as adds and takes away little parts. Like for instance, Niobe won't go through and experience everything Ghost does. The same is true for Ghost. If you ask me, that is a nice twist rather than just playing a level as a different character!

Gameplay- 10/10

Love it! Needless to say, it is really great because of a few things, the main being bullet time. Yes, this game has bullet time only here they call it focus...

The battle system is in real-time. You have basically three choices. You can fight with guns, fight with Kung-Fu, or you can use both. It is really great because of the fact that every fight is different.

By holding L1, you enter bullet time. Here, you move extremely fast but it looks really slow. You can see bullets coming at you. You can dodge most attacks and prepare for assaults. You do have a limit to this though as your focus meter gradually decreases the more focus you use. Great system as far as I'm concerned.

The variety of weapons is great too! As well as BIG guns, you can also get wooden stakes (to drive through Vampire and Werewolves), and grenades.

There are a number of driving and gunning missions too. Mainly, Ghost does the gunning while Niobe does the driving. Ghost does do some driving despite what the manual leads you to believe but read an FAQ for that...

Sound- 7/10

Alright as far as I'm concerned. Some creepy music that if your up late playing the game, you won't appreciate.

The voices are incredible. I had no idea it got this good! All of the characters as voiced by their corresponding actors so obviously it is great! Ghost, whose voice we barely got to hear in Reloaded, sounds great.

All in all, who plays a game for sound? Not me and I hope not you either. It's good. Not great though.

Replay- 10/10

Even as I am almost done with the game, it doesn't stop there. I still have to beat it with Niobe and hack some codes.

That brings me to another thing. There are tons of codes that you unlock with the hacking system. Some of the codes are great. Some have downsides. I promised not to use any codes until I am done with the game. It is a great, but complicated system. Basically, ti is like hacking into a computer.

Anyway, yes, there is serious replay with this puppy! That, I think to almost anyone, is a great PLUS!

All in all, I LOVE this game and I think you will too if...

a. you LOVE the Matrix and Reloaded
b. you LOVE shoot-'em-up games
c. you just wanna have a good time
d. you need a game with good replay value (money reasons)

So, give it a whirl. I liked it. I hope you do too.

Extra Section- Content-

I am one of those people who don't buy a game unless I know it is clean. I bought this and it's not dirty, nor is it clean. For those who are like me, I thought I'd give you guys this little part that you might night find in any other review.

Yes, obviously there is violence. No blood as only green numbers come out when you shoot someone. It's not too bad though.

There is some bad language but no, it's not all out there. It is barely in there. Just an a or d word here and there. Not much else though.

Overall, you can see it is a pretty clean game. Yes, it deserved its Teen rating but it's not terrible either so, I don't mind it and if you have agreed with me so far, you probably shouldn't either.

Cya later and I hope you enjoy the game!

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 05/21/03, Updated 05/21/03