Enter the Matrix

Game: Enter the Matrix
Developer: Shiny Entertainment
Platform: PC (plus consoles)
Release Year: 2003
Stephen's Rating: 5/10

Basic Plot

The game was released at the same time as the Matrix: Reloaded and Matrix: Revolutions movies came out in cinemas and the story fits into the same world and time.

At the start of the game the player picks to play as either Niobe or Ghost. Depending on the character you choose the story ends up being slightly different.

The story involves obtaining a message about an impending attack on Zion. The captains of all the human ships are called back to Zion to co-ordinate the defence. A program called the Keymaker gives Niobe and Ghost a key to give to Neo within The Matrix. They enter but the key is stolen and destroyed, and Niobe and Ghost barely escape.

The final chapter in the story involves searching for Morpheus and Neo's ship to rescue them and bring them back to Zion, including entering The Matrix and battling Agent Smith.

Primary game view.

Gameplay

Enter the Matrix is a third person combat/shooting game which utilizes the "bullet time" mechanic seen in Max Payne. This is also an ongoing motif in the films.

Each level primarily involves controlling your character and using weapons and skills to defeat enemies and complete objectives.

There were also vehicle sequences where the player controlled a vehicle in the third or first person.

One mechanic was to face the player up against enemies who were much more powerful than they were (agents). In these parts of the game the objective was simply to escape.

There was a "hacking" system in the game which could be used to enter codes which unlocked weapons, skills, and other secrets.

Bullet time.

Positives

The fight sequences were good overall the combat mechanics were fairly satisfying. It was nice releasing this at the same time as the film with the idea that it would compliment the films rather than re-tell the same parts of the story.

Negatives

The visuals were clunky. The story wasn't very cohesive and felt like it was trying to fit around the film rather than be its own entity.

Memorable Moments

By the far the most memorable moment was a part of the game where you take control of a vehicle (whereas the rest of the game you travel by foot). I don't know about the console versions of the game but in the PC version it was completely glitched. The vehicle lurched ahead at uncontrollable speeds and there was no way not to crash into buildings and walls. The graphics glitched out as well. It was like the developers gave up let a bunch of cats walk over the keyboard for that part of the code.