Review By:  AJ Middleton
Developer:	Shiny
Publisher:	Atari
# of Players:	1-2
Genre:	Adventure
ESRB:	Teen
Online:	No
Accessories:	Memory Card
Date Posted:	11-9-03

The final type of mission is the car chase.  A nice change of pace, but there aren’t that many.  The only downside is in Niobe’s adventure.  She’s the driver, and driving controls are horrible.  Handling is poor, and going in reverse is almost impossible.  Plus, you have to summon Ghost to fire at pursuers, but the auto-Ghost has awful aim and can only be out for a certain amount of time before he has to take a rest.  When playing as Ghost, driving is automatic and ammo is infinite.  In other words, Ghost’s perspective is a lot better. (The hovercraft levels would be grouped here as well.  Niobe still steers and Ghost still shoots.)

In fact, Ghost’s adventure is probably the better of the two.  There are fewer takeovers by the game, more control in cars, and more missions.  Yes, Ghost has the longer portion of the game- about five hours.  Niobe’s is about four.  Altogether, Enter the Matrix is about a nine-hour game.  Replay value exists in the fact that you can change the difficulty setting, but when a guard can take five bullets and still stay alive, things start to get a little discouraging.

Despite the repetition, it’s a fun and fast paced game.  At least, it is for the most part.  The end of Enter the Matrix DRAGS.  And when I say it drags, I really mean it.  The last set of levels involves running from the same person, over and over again.  All you do is run.  There’s no time to shoot, use Focus, explore the surroundings, or anything.  A lot of wasted space and time.  The very last levels are poor too.  Why?  Well basically, you can’t die as long as you move.  You don’t even have a damage meter.  So, just when you think the game has the potential to pick up again…

…It ends.  But not just like that!  The heroes stop, reflect, and WHAM!  The teaser trailer for The Matrix Revolutions is thrown into your face.  And you’re like wow.  And a very theatrical set of credits role.  Then the game is over.  But while the trailer plays and the credits role, you think about how poorly designed the last levels were.  Then you remember that the levels weren’t really that diverse overall, and suddenly, the game feels like one big promo stunt.  Well, all that’s left to do is the other player’s adventure.  And if you’ve already done that, pump up the difficulty!

So what ever happens to the plot enhancement and understanding?  To tell the truth, not a whole lot.  The plot enhancements are figuring out what Ghost and Niobe occupy them with while the movie is taking place, which isn’t much.  I fail to see how a large majority of their adventure will play into The Matrix Revolutions.  As for understanding, it’s more of confusion.  The few things that you DO learn, most of which come from one scene, are enough to muddle your mind and make you start Matrix theorizing once again.

Enter the Matrix has a special hack feature.  The hacking mode serves as a mini-game and as a cheating device.  Like a real computer running DOS, you have to access different directories and input different commands in order to navigate the many drives of the system.  But don’t worry; most commands are saved in an automatic recall section at the bottom of the screen.  After a certain point, you can enable the ability to enter cheat codes that will help you out in the Matrix.  The codes are seen in billboards on any highway level, but who takes out the time to copy those down?  The hacking mini-game takes you through directories, files, and having to type in annoying words using the keyboard in the bottom right of the screen.  Along the way, you’ll discover secret messages, character and item pictures, random fake computer crap, games, and at the end, the ability to use a sword in the Matrix!  A cool feature, but drive navigation and typing with the keyboard can really take the fun out of it.

Highs:

• One of the best games based on a movie
• Works alongside the plot of The Matrix Reloaded
• Focus fun!  The “bullet-time” feature is awesome and was designed perfectly
• Great graphics and music
• Action packed
• Level diversity
• High fun factor
• The Hacking game

Lows:

• Little mission diversity
• Annoying load and save times
• Easy to get confused
• The game takes over…a lot
• The end of the game is extremely boring
• What plot enhancements?
• When it’s all done, it feels like a promo

Final Verdict:

Hype is a dangerous thing.  Unless is comes from a veteran developer, a super-hyped game has a very, very small chance of being the success it’s advertised as, as opposed to the small chance of a game from a vet.  I admit, it was fun.  Who doesn’t want to move at the same speed as bullets, perform crazy stunts, and walk on walls?  On top of that, you can now use the few plot elements from the game in any Matrix conversations without having to hear “But the game isn’t linked to the movie at all!”  But, alas, the Wachowski Brothers should simply stick to philosophy and movie making, because their game wasn’t the best ever.  But one thing’s for sure- Enter the Matrix will make you want to be first in line to buy that Revolutions ticket.

Overall Score: 8.3

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