The Matrix: Path of Neo

"The best of the three games released, but still lacking the mechanics of a masterpiece"

Just like videogames tend to make terrible movies (Tomb Raider, Mario Brothers, Street Fighter...need I say more) most movies tend to make horrid videogames. While many of my videogame peers will knock alot of the same things about this game, I am going to steer away from that and go into depth as to WHY this game is subpar compared to other games in its genre.

Graphics: Many people here think that the graphics are terrible; however, this game is set to be realistic unlike Ninja Gaiden, therefore the comparing of the two is irrelevant in my opinion. When this game was created they wanted to have an approach as if you were in the game. However, because they try to duplicate the movie in essence of having 20 guys on screen, a complex background, and one or more people fighting on your side, it tends to really slow the framerate and game down to the point where you get pretty frustrated when you are trying to iniate a move or a jump to someplace and the framerate starts to jump on you.

Plot: If you have seen the movies, you know what the game is about. I refuse to go into detail about the plot because these movies are some of the best of our times, hating on the last two means you did not watch them with an open mind and went to them expecting guns and martial arts for 2 hours...but thats another topic all together.

Controls: You can tell this game was rushed, no other explanation is needed. I am very used to games like Ninja Gaiden, Halo2, and even most of the sports games where you rely on slick controls and turing on a dime is just the norm. This game is buggy at best with it, you need to really think about how your looking and where you plan to go and then start making Neo go that direction, its not like in the previous games mentioned where you can move more freely and be spontaneous as to where you are going to go.

Camera: Just like in Ninja Gaiden, this has got to be the #1 thing that just gets to me. I can't recall how many times in The Matrix where I have been shot at, or tried looking in a direction and the camera just won't let me see where I want to look. It gets annoying and old really fast.

Levels: I was a little upset as to how long they made the tuitoral because it just seems like you do that longer than you do the game it feelsl ike. Most are about medium in length and take about 1/2 hour to really complete. I think they did a good job plotting out where you play the game and where their countless cutscenes from the movies are added though, and it helps keep your attention span going without having you getting bored too fast.

Guns/Weapon Locking: #2 reason I hate this game (only reason its not #1 is because you basically martial art you way through the game) you can't lock on to who you want, the computer basically does it, the camera gets really funky on you, and when you try to shoot off the walls its almost impossible to know where you are going to be shooting at. Just be like me, and honestly don't use them unless you HAVE to.

Slow Motion (FOCUS): If you played Enter the Matrix you know that the best part of these games is slowing down time and just whuppin some @$$. I won't bash this too hard because it is alot of fun and most of the replayabiltiy comes frmo this feature. However, the wall system is flawed. I dont think i did one move off a wall in this entire game because either it required wayyyy too much effort to get to a wall with someone and then execute the move, or Neo just goes crazy on the guy and kills him before they even get near the walls. But def. a fun reason to play this game right here.

Replayability: It has some yes, but I would suggest renting or at least waiting until its like $30 at the most, because when you play it you will honestly not think its worth the $50.

Reviewer's Score: 6/10, Originally Posted: 12/10/05