I base this on the PC version. You've probably already heard a lot of negative about this. I wish I could claim that it was merely nay-sayers. The keyword is "rushed". This has almost all it should, really, and it surely is a nice amount, it's just incomplete. The Matrix feel is present through everything in this. The martial arts system is fairly well-done, simple to use, and allowing several different punches, kicks, throws, blocks, counter-attacks, disarm movements and even firing at someone after grabbing them. There are several ways in which you can do something like that... defense and battling(without bullets) multiple foes... and this was really when fighting came into VG's not entirely devoted to such, so there were ones coming out simultaneously that had takes on it. In this one, you can only concentrate on one enemy at any one time, and trying to avoid the others isn't going to help(worry not, usually, they're not too ruthless). As far as fending them off, moving towards them you can send simple blows their way, continually mainly going up against the main one. This is if you're in the combat mode, out of it, it's limited what you can do. In addition to that, you can also engage in shoot-outs(the interesting and notable thing here is that, largely, you get to pick which of those two you wish to do, and either of them can be cool), car chases and hovercraft flying(more or less all that they do in the movies, as well as a few other things). You visit plenty of places you know from the first two films. Let me get into the weapons... apart from a couple of kinds of grenades(good luck hitting what you want with them, and, at times, even avoiding the ones you've tossed), and a nice unlock-able one, they're all guns. The types are essentially all there... pistols, SMGs, shotguns, rifles, snipers and grenade launchers. Their usefulness fits, as far as accuracy, speed and power go. This, undoubtedly on account of being released for consoles as well as the computer, does not let you have a reticle when running. Instead, we get auto-aim, in the regular 3rd person angle, and an optional first person view, where you stand still(and of course, out of this, projectiles often go everywhere, even at close range... except for in a case I'll get into next). The camera is a bit boring, and not only comes off as rigid, but dull, too, like it has to force its way through syrup when you move it. The mouse sometimes goes too far. Now, there is a feature called Focus in this(using it is how you shoot straight), and holding down the button that starts it lets you break the rules, do things you can't in real life(slow down time, wall-run, dodge, etc.), and that is one of the areas where this gets fun. Yes, Bullet-Time was better in Max Payne, however, there are other things to it. This lets you choose between the characters of Ghost and Niobe(and provides development for them, though you do not need to try this to understand the trilogy), and the progression through this isn't entirely the same for them, if they could perhaps be less close to each other. You don't need to finish it as both, but I suggest it, for the full experience. You also have to wonder if the immense similarity in this to the cinematic efforts is intentional, did they want to put sequences in that weren't the real thing, but very nearly were, is this just the extent of the universe, or, the worst possibility, did the brothers just not have any other ideas? In spite of what the manual will claim, Mrs. N is a lousy chauffeur(try not to give her too hard a time about it... every NPC behind the wheel in this can be), when you're not controlling her(when you steer, it's not half-bad, and even entertaining). Neither her nor him are going to take you all that many hours to beat. Replayability is negligible. There are three difficulties, and this should be a challenge for anyone. There are bits in this where you don't feel like what you're doing has any impact. The level design is uninspired, and they are rather linear. The cut-scenes vary. A bunch of them are in-engine, then there is the 60 or so minutes worth of actual, produced live-action footage, in DVD quality, directed by the Wachowskis themselves. It expands upon Reloaded(this entire thing takes place before, during, and a little after, and aids in setting up Revolutions, so definitely ties into them), and is equally as nice-looking. The cinematography is excellent and faithful, at its best. The same goes for the music. The audio is mixed, the sounds are sometimes great, but they call attention to themselves. The voice acting ranges. The writing, as well. Same goes for AI. And Bosses. This holds a tad of philosophy, and has a sense of humor. Saving happens every time you start a new portion, if you confirm that you wish to, and it puts it in the slot(can anyone explain why the heck there are only four?) you are asked to select the first time you say yes. The graphics are reasonable. Animation is pretty decent. Adventure aspects are slim, but that wasn't the point of this. The Hacking is a nice touch, a DOS prompt-like mini-game. There are glitches and bugs in this, and it's not always stable. If their deadline hadn't been so harsh, this could have been amazing. They overreached, and as opposed to facing facts and trying to perfect some material, and drop other of it, they went for the whole, and it all wound up being average. There is sensuality, and moderately strong language, all relatively infrequent. I recommend this to any fan of the concept, anyone who wants to reenact favorite moments or acrobatics from the influential titles. Just know what to expect. 7/10
Review of Enter the Matrix
