Enter the Matrix

"Seems this rabbit's hole a matter of opinion."

Movie to games deals are a fickle thing now a days. It just seems like some company sees the license, decides to snatch it up before somebody else does, turn it into some uninspired platform/beat-em up/racer etc… with little to no control and ship it in time with the movie. In another words, just a quick buck. But to those companies credit they are getting better, actually researching into the movie, coming up with their own ideas, and taking creative liability with the movie’s story. Still some just turn out decent or mediocre, case in point today’s subject: Enter the Matrix. So far the game been on the up and down of reviews from this website to other websites to countless game and pop culture magazines, many of which have been disappointed by the game’s outcome. Though thats probably due to the fact that there were too many high expectations or maybe that it was hyped up to kingdom come. But whatever the opinion, you have to admit the Wachowski brothers really did give it there all with the game. And despite my upcoming views on the gameplay, I’d respect them for all their hard work. How many people are willing to work on a movie and game AT THE SAME TIME? Very few people that’s who so even if you disagree with the game, show some love.

Skinny:
The movie: Am pretty sure all of you know the movie’s plot by now, but if your just now freeing your mind (where the heck have YOU been?). Heres a gist: The real world has been taken over by machines and have trapped mankind in a virtual world. Some humans have broken out, found out what really happened, and formed a resistance to retake their world. The latest to be freed is a hacker nicknamed Neo, who has the power to free humanity. He discovers the truth and his skills in the first Matrix and in the recent Matrix Reloaded, finds out more to the virtual world and fights to save Zion (the last human city) from destruction.
The game: A continuation of Flight of the Osiris from the Animatrix and a side story to Reloaded. ETM follows Ghost and Nioble, two Zion fighters, as they find out about the threat to their city and help other Zion crews (including Neo and his gang) to stop the machines from wiping them out.

Play Dials:
I can see that when they were making the game, they tried to keep things as simple as possible. In addition to moving (of course), you got the action button to open doors and shoot, a button to pull out and out away your guns, the “focus” button to slow down time (i.e: bullet time), the jump button, and last but not least the “butt-kicking” button for those close combat situations. Very easy to adapt too as long you don’t panic in the heat of battle. Though the collision detection leaves something to be desired. The driving portions aren’t too keen on physics but control is still easy to work with. However if your playing as Nioble, trying to get Ghost to hit the opposing cars is a little frustrating. But all in all, the control aren’t all that complicated if you practice.

Core:
As mention the gameplay is pretty decent, once started, you pick from your choice of either Ghost or Nioble. Nothing really different between the two in skill though whoever you pick you follow that person’s storyline and get a change in missions. After which you jack in and try to complete the mission outline, all the while beating or gunning down opposing forces (cops, swat teams, and “exile” programs) who get in your way and trying to avoid the very deadly agents of the Matrix. All the while, more of the Reloaded story unfolds from a different point of view. The games pretty linear and the different storylines add reply value. But that collision detection can really muck up things when your taking on a group and that auto targeting is in the same boat. And the aforementioned driving portions as Nioble add to some of the flaws. And yes, I know the bullet time thing has been done before (Max Payne, Dead to Rights) but I don’t really see that as a fault. It loses its uniqueness, but this is where it originated and it’s still just as fun to use for those crazy “defy all reality” moves. So why cry over spilled milk? My only grip is with that collision detection. But in the end, everything does come together and makes for a nice game. I also like that DOS code thing, very true to the movie series and unique.

Eye-Candy:
Keeping in with the movies tone, ETM still keeps that drab greenish look for it nicely detailed environments, which teem with life of moving objects and people. The models themselves are also animated quite nicely thank to the motion captures and animators going into overtime on the little details such clothes and facial expressions. The joints and fingers still look a little stiff and more work on the surroundings would’ve been nice but the final product is acceptable. The real life FMVs are also quite good since after all this was filmed around the same time of the Reloaded movie. Using the same actors is also an added plus and also quite a surprise. I know those actors went home happy for their overtime, cha ching!

Noise:
Music is unfortunately another flaw, as it seems to play the same music over and over with the exception of the car missions. I don’t mind that dramatic theme sometimes (which fans will remember as the music during the Neo chase near the end of the first Matrix) but if its your only music to the game. Well…let just say that not a very professional decision. Sound however is excellent with explosions, gunfire, that zooming effect as bullets pass you by in slow mo. It’s all here from the flick baby and the voice acting ain’t too shabby neither.

Final Call:
Now that I think about it Enter the Matrix isn’t really mediocre, just above average. It has it flaws just like every other game and did get a little too hyped for its own good. But if you’re a fan of the films or just a guy/gal looking for a great action game, ETM fits the bill. But just to be safe, rent it first then see if you wanna take the red or blue pill in the end. You’ll thank yourself later when you visited this rabbit hole and back again.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 07/24/03, Updated 07/24/03