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Letdown of the Year

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 59 / 77
Date: May 13, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I was fortunate enough to get to play through the game recently, here's what i thought of it

Graphics:
Character Models are are really good, but the environments don't look nearly as good. There's little to no atmospheric effects (fog, rain, etc). All in all the game looks bland. Special effects, like bullet time, are well done. Motion captured moves have choppy transtitions. (for example, the end of a punching animation does not smoothly flow into the animation for kicking, leaving the game looking jerky) . I saw a special on mtv about the game. It was pretty clear that ETM uses a modified version of the Messiah engine. The programmer was demonstarting the same tessellating polygon technique used in Messiah. It's interesting to see how powerful some aspects of the game's graphics engine can be, and yet the game still looks so bland.

Sound:
No problems here, uses mostly the ochestral score from the first movie.

Gameplay:
Kung Fu battles can easily be won by mashing buttons, except against agents. Go into focus mode and then mash buttons to hit an agent.
Gunplay is awkward, at least on Xbox. Using the black button to fire your gun is not very intuitive. Sniping is very frustrating, you push the right analog stick to enter first person mode, then you must push fire to bring up the reticle if you did not already have your gun drawn.
Running up the walls, backflips, etc. are all easy to execute and can be useful in doding enemy fire. Strafing is a pain in the neck, i don't understand why shiny chose not to let you strafe with the right analog stick.

Overall the 3rd person missions are usually short in length, The combat is unvaried. Many sub-levels are very similar. Once you've seen a couple, you've seen them all (with a few exceptions)

The driving in the game is mediocre at best. There are about 4-6 driving levels. The environments are empty, very few cars, even on the highway levels. The enemy AI is downright stupid. The physics are horrible.

The flying levels are downright unplayable, i didn't play as ghost, so i can't comment on the gunning levels.

The cinema scenes range from great to poor, but some are definitly worth seeing.

Hacking the Matrix:
a fun aside, one of the best parts of the game. I think i've completed everything possible in it, in which case it doesn't add more than an hour or 2 to game length.

Playing through as both characters:
More of a chore than anything else. Alot of repeat levels, through there is some new content. It's like how you used to have to play through Tony Hawk games with multiple characters to unlock things: you've seen most of it the first time through.

RENT it, it's not very long about 8 hrs, and it certainly does not have much replay value. It seems like they got way too caught up with all the technology they had available and didn't take the time to fix the gameplay problems.

Not As Good As It Could Have Been

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 10 / 10
Date: June 02, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I bought this game the day it came out. Being a huge Matrix fan, and an avid gamer, I thought that I would enjoy the game immensely (I'm also a huge fan of Shiny Entertainment - I loved Earthworm Jim and Wild 9's). Sadly, while the game IS fun, I wish they had delayed it to make it perfect. As it is now, it's only slightly above average.

As you undoubtedly know from every other review, the game shows the events of Matrix: Reloaded through the eyes of two characters: Niobe (Jada Pinkett-Smith) and Ghost (Anthony Wong). You see things from different perspectives, and see how storylines from the movies are tied into each other (Also, it ties the Animatrix storyline "Final Flight of the Osiris" into the movie, which I thought pretty cool). The game contains tons of FMV that you can't get anywhere else, so Matrix fans pretty much don't have an excuse to not get this game. For the rest of you, I'd read the rest of this before you make your purchase.

The game has many good things going for it, but Shiny always has some huge "but" to destroy any good notions you had. The character models are gorgeous, but the textures boring and the levels sometimes downright ugly. The fighting engine is magnificent, but the enemy AI either stupid or bug ridden (ie, SWAT members walking into walls, facing away from you while you pulverize their pals, etc.). The levels inventive and huge, but save points pop up too often, and many of the sections between saves consist of (not exagerrating at all) running literally 20 feet, seeing an in-game cutscene, running 10 feet, seeing an FMV, then save point. That's it. That's not fair to the gamer. I like to earn my saves if it's going to be a "save point" system. Plus, sometimes the levels consist of "run here, kill the guards, and enter the door." It could've been so much better, had just a little bit more time been put into it.

Also, the game has some of the worst driving levels I've ever seen. You can only be one character or the other, so you either drive (Niobe) or shoot at people chasing you (Ghost). And, no matter who you are, your buddy is a moron. You actually have to hold down a button to get Ghost to shoot at cops, or the twins, when you're Niobe, and you have to pray the AI Niobe doesn't run into every single obstacle in your path when you play as Ghost. I think they were decent, but it could've been much better... and God, the city streets are ugly as hell. Midnight Club 2 and Grand Theft Auto have shown that the city can have personality. The driving graphics are inexcusable.

However bad that sounds, the main component of the game is the third-person (think Splinter Cell) type adventure, and it's actually done quite well. However, the whole time I was playing this, I couldn't help but think, "Why couldn't they let the camera be controlled by the gamer? Why do they wish to punish us?" Splinter Cell's control scheme could've been used, and it wouldn't have affected anything (they barely use the right analog stick at all), and it would've basically eliminated all of those nasty camera issues that this game has. Nothing is worse than fighting 6 guys, then having the camera swing 180 degrees around, then trying to figure out which way you were headed. This should have been addressed early in the stages of the game design. It's almost as bad as Nintendo not having any different control schemes for Metroid:Prime. Talk about aggravation.

Also, I won't discuss the "pseudo-flying" level which finishes the game, because it is the worst level I've ever had the displeasure of playing. The Squiddys are so poorly shown, it looks like cheap "green-screen" effects from the early 80's.

All in all, this game disappointed me. I love the Matrix, and I liked the Matrix: Reloaded. I like Shiny Entertainment, and I think that this could've been one of the greatest gaming achievements in recent history. I wish that Shiny had held back the game until Revolutions comes out, and ironed out all the bugs, changed the ... control scheme, fixed some textures, and thought out the obvious stupid stuff this game seems to fixate on (constantly reincarnating enemies in a closed Post Office, etc.) and this could've been the greatest game of 2003.

I'm still upset.

About 1/2 way through

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 14 / 18
Date: May 18, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I have the Xbox version of the game and am about halfway through. My thoughts so far:

The game features a parallel plotline to Matrix: reloaded, with many of the characters from the movie featured in the interspersed video clips and rendered footage. For example, the first sequence is about Niobe recovering the data about the sentinels digging toward Zion. There are characters we get to see in more detail, which is fun. Production quality is very high, as no expense was spared and the same sets and props were used as in the movie.

Gameplay - the gameplay is very good. With the "focus" ability (aka bullet-time), there are tons of fun ways to dispatch enemies. There are puzzle aspects in the game, but a 3d arrow keeps one from getting too lost. There are fighting, driving, and 3 person shooter aspects and all are well done. However - they are not perfect. No one type of the game (such as driving) will outshine a good dedicated game of that type. What you're paying for is the Matrix environment.

That environment is fun. For example, you get to explore that French character's chateau while killing his vampire-like henchmen. Some of the rooms, such as the double staircase, are straight from the movie. (BTW - anyone think the French guy is a previous incarnation of Neo?). For the first third of the movie the environments are kind of industrial and drab - but much like the movie.

I played through Halo right before Matrix, and in terms of pure gameplay, interactivity, etc- Halo wins hands down. Matrix does offer complementary info to the movie and the whole tie-in that will appeal to many gamers and Matrix fans.

Some of the game is about protecting other members of the team and not just yourself, so there are some tectics involved and not just "barge in and beat 'em up."

Some gripes - the enemies discover you too easily. You will be given instructions like "stay out of sight" and so you try to use cover and be sneaky - only to be instantly seen when you inevitably have to run to another piece of cover. Also, you can snipe someone from a half mile away, but the instant you do every enemy will know exactly where you are and begin firing, unlike in Halo where they rarely picked up on your position if you were far enough away. Also, enemies will appear based on your location. So in one area where one has to blow up a turbine, enemies appear forever (I assume to keep pressure on) while you are on the turbine upper level, mostly shooting at your team members, but step down to the lower level six feet down in the same environment, and they magically stop appearing and the pressure is off.

All in all - for Matrix fans, buy it! Non-fans, it's an OK game and you should probably rent it first.

After all the hype - it's an OK game

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 8 / 9
Date: May 21, 2003
Author: Amazon User

For anyone who doesn't know - this game weaves in and out of the movie. You play as either Ghost or Niobi on missions that run parallel to the latest Matrix movie.
The movie sequences were probably the best part of the game. The cutscenes were shot while the movie was shot, so the look is very authentic. The story, much more complex than the first Matrix, is explained a little by the game.
The driving sequences were difficult, and more frustrating than challenging. The hovercraft gameplay was infinitely more frustrating.
The graphics are pretty good. Most of the levels looked pretty good (the hovercraft and sewer levels looked absolutely terrible). The graphics are about as good as your typical 3rd person shooter. The characters looked a little boxy, and Niobi and Ghost look a little awkward when fighting.
The controls are a bit counter-intuitive: with black as the firing button, and the right thumbstick bringing bringing up first person zoom. You cannot control the camera angle. Sniping is damn near impossible. The kung-fu fighting is not as good as a genuine fighting game (Tekken, DOA, etc), but it's not so bad as to really take much from the game.
The focus element of this game is, perhaps as expected, the most fun. The characters can focus, slowing down time so you can do cool stuff (run along walls, jump long distances, dodge bullets, etc). There are a lot of cool things to do in focus mode, and it makes the game worth playing.
This game will keep you busy for a lttle while. The bullet-time makes it worth playing and the cutscenes keep it interesting. If you're not a Matrix fan, definately try this before you buy. But be forewarned - this game is difficult to master.

Fun, fun, fun

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 11 / 17
Date: June 10, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I was one of the many people who had been watching this game since it was anounced. I pre-ordered it and picked it up the day it arrived. I will admit that is was bought mostly due to the fact I was brainwashed by the endless advertising for the Matrix Reloaded. But I have to say, honestly, I have no problems with my game. I read others reviews anf they talk about all sorts of glitches. I have yet to experience one. I have the Xbox version and I imagine the PS2 and Gamecube vesions would have many glitches simply because they are inferior machines. The Xbox version to me is flawless. I very much enjoy this game. Once you finish it you can restart as a new character. The story will be slightly different lending a replayability. And finally how could you not love a video game that allows you to enter the Matrix. I am doing things in my game that simply make me giddy simply for the fact that it is the Matrix and I am playing it. But all in all, it is a good game in my opinion.

An awesome game from an awesome company: ATARI!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 8
Date: May 26, 2003
Author: Amazon User

When I heard about this game, I didn't think it would be much more than a re-make of Max Payne (which is an awesome game nontheless). But when I bought it I was blown away by the realistic looking faces and unbelievable cut-scenes. Did I mention the real movie cut-scenes done by the real actors? This game is a Matrix movie in and of itself. With a special "Hacking" feature, you can actully "hack" into the Matrix mainframe. I use this feature to insert many cheat codes that make life in the Matrix soooo much easier. I could beat the game without them, but this just speeds things up. You can also unlock secret messages from Morpheus, Trinity, Neo, and many more other characters. I played this game after seeing "The Matrix Reloaded" movie and couldn't believe how well the storyline ties in with the movie. The decisions you make in the game actually affect the outcome at the end. It's actually 2 games in one since the gameplay as Ghost is totally different from that of Naiobi. Oh, and with a certain cheat, the game becomes a multi-player fighting arena. Yeah, Enter The Matrix goes Tekken. Awesome!!! Well, I hope this review persuades you to invest in this amazing peice of the Matrix Trilogy. Sure, the graphics can be a bit choppy at times, but the overall experience is definitely worth the bucks.

This is insulting..

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 9 / 19
Date: June 03, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I can not, in any way shape or form, understand how anyone can find this game enjoyable. If you have never played any kind of shooting game since the super Nintendo, I can understand how this would get 5 stars. If you however do have some taste, you'll probably use this disc more often as a coaster than an actual game- if you can even call it a game (more like a sadistic plan to brain wash the public into buying a product so bad our standards would drop, threfore paving way for the next mass-market gaming projecy). Here is what you need to know before looking further. This game IS NOT FULLY COMPLETE. There are tons of little bugs you'll be able to groan about as you play. The enemy AI will run in circles, there's a lot of clipping, and most importantly, the game may CRASH, resulting in a BLACK SCREEN Secondly, the graphics are nearly identical to a N64 game...drab, dull colors, bland enviornments along with totally generic and uninsipired level design make for some of the most painful experiences that a regular gamer might have.
The fighting is fun... AT FIRST. After an hour of Kung-Pow it is just as enjoying as watching grass grow. I never thought I'd say this, but going outside and sitting in the sun is a helluva lot more fun than playing this game. I wont go into how bad everything else is...but lastly, the controls are real sketchy. You'll be cramping your fingers around the left and right triggers, tapping the black button, then sidestepping while hitting the A button just to do a cartwheel. Oh, and Your characters can't hit the broad side of the barn. Your shooting capabilities are extremely poor, pretty much all throughout the game.

If you want to go ahead and follow the herd, buy this game and rant and rave about how good it is... I don't know how or why you would though, and I seriously think the orginal PONG for atari2600 would have sold just as many copies if it had The Matrix pasted all over it. Maybe the FMV video is worth it, but none of it is exactly thrilling. Honestly, the developers on this game deserve no credit for taking advantage of the mass market with such a peice of unfinished garbage. I rented this game, battled through most of it, but could not bring myself to finish it, and when I returned it, I felt just a little aggrivated that I wasted $6.30 (at the time I did rent it, my reasoning was "well 1 million people can't be wrong" -thats how many people bought the game the first week) on a game that people pay, what, 50$ for? Garbage.

Stinky, rotting, bug infested garbage (pun intended).

Poor gameplay and a terrible ending doom this game.

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: February 21, 2004
Author: Amazon User

This game was so disappointing that it is the reason that I will not buy a video game based on a movie again. I know that this game was made by the Wachowski brothers while making the last two films, but the game feels pasted together. You play as wither NIobbe or Ghost an attempt to complete certain missions. rather than being in the mode of a first person shooter or a side stroller you are positioned above the player ala Grand Theft Auto 3, but the movements are not as fluid as in GTA 3. After a few missions they become mundane. I played this game for a few weeks and just had enough of it. My kids started playing it and I watched them pass the game, I was slightly excited to see what kind of a ending a game based on the Matrix , and all I got was a preview for Matrix 3. What a disappointment. Also, you may have heard that if you play this game you will understand the Matrix trilogy better, this is not true. Everything you need to understand the matrix is in the 3 films, this game was just a way for the creators to milk $50 out of us.

T

Why, why, oh why have you crushed my dreams

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: March 22, 2004
Author: Amazon User

The matrix. A great movie. A grand movie. Enter the Matrix? Find the exit quick. Fortunately, you can be told how bad this game is, you don't have to see it for yourself. This game is a dissapointment. The movie was so great, hype surounded the game, it came out, people were fooled.
Bad graphics + glitches + bad control = bad game.
If you have twenty bucks then simply buy a tom clancy game (splinter cell, ghost recon) or for ten bucks more get Halo. But please, please save your trouble and stay away from this game. Please don't be fooled. And if you don't believe me- rent it.

Exit the Matrix

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: May 16, 2003
Author: Amazon User

This game is stunning in that it fails in every sense. The action is thin and repetitive, the graphics are shaky, glitchy and unrealistic, the characters have absolutely no weight or style in their movement and interaction, and the vehicle scenes are the most tedious I have ever encountered in a computer game. Oh yeah, and let's not forget about the score either. That also grinds along from one inappropriate cue to the next, providing the whole dreadful mess with exactly the kind of funeral dirge it deserves.

Honestly, this game is a shambles. It seems rushed (how on earth could this be rushed???), it feels cheap and it even has serious bugs. If you've ever had the misfortune to play some of the more exploitative examples of film tie-in software then you may just be prepared for the depth of barrel scraping here. If not then you're in for truly unpleasant surprise...something this lousy CAN actually be released.

I advise anybody reading this to jettison the hype and avoid, avoid, avoid. ...

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