Enter The Matrix

Year: 2003

Format: Xbox

Comments:

Originally it had been announced that Microsoft had paid the developers of Enter The Matrix to create X-Box exclusive features that would not be found on any other console version of the game. These exclusives were reported to include internet multiplayer and other online features, bonus characters and generally more gameplay features. In actual fact when the game was released close to two years after these reports the Xbox version is exactly the same as the other format games except with better graphics.

The Enter The Matrix game was hyped as the next evolution in Movie-game tie-ins. You see the action in the game is based on the movie (in this case Matrix Reloaded) but it is actually part of the movie. What this actually means is that your character (either Niobe or Ghost) experiences scenes that happen at the same time as the events of the film but aren't seen in it. This, together with the Animatrix shorts, builds the story and makes it easier to understand.

In actual fact Enter The Matrix isn't that revolutionary. Sure the plot takes place around the film but it doesn't so much fill in events as add background detail that you could easily watch the movie without knowing. As a game itself I found Enter The Matrix disappointing. It sold extremely well and some people seem to enjoy it but it still feels a little unfinished. For every exciting bullet-time move there is a dodgy animation (like the ones for climbing fences and ladders). For every action packed scene there are numerous 'run to a certain point and back again' objective.

All in all in depends on how much you enjoy the movie series as to how much you'll like the game. The hacking mode is probably the only clever part in the game and much like the main game itself it's over very quickly.

Other versions of The Matrix:

Format: PC-CD

From: Infogrames/Atari

Year: 2003

Comments: Same as the Xbox version.

Format: GameCube

From: Infogrames/Atari

Year: 2003

Comments: Same as the Xbox version but with rougher graphics. Comes on two discs.

Format: Playstation 2

From: Infogrames/Atari

Year: 2003

Comments: Same as the other versions but with the least decent graphics.

Format: PC-CD

Title: Matrix: Online

From: Ubi Soft

Year: In production/2003

Comments: An online RPG based in the Matrix universe.