Review: Enter The Matrix (PS2)
A license is there to be exploited; now you’ve seen the film, play the game. Without question we have had to endure video games which use their license to cover the gaping holes in creativity, game play and originality. There have been some notable exceptions over the years but on the whole the majority of releases have flattered to deceive. The involvement of Shiny Entertainment and the Wachowski brothers should it was hoped not only create an authentic and enthralling story, but also a stimulating experience. On paper at least, this close co-operation with the creators and developer could be the blueprint for future projects. Atari believed that Enter The Matrix would indeed deliver an experience; but is this experience worth purchasing?
Enter The Matrix is unique in comparison to other licensed releases because it is based around events and characters not depicted in Reloaded in any great depth during the film. It constitutes a separate experience that enhances your enjoyment of the Matrix Reloaded. This is welcome given that the film is disappointing, but when Ghost or Niobe appear (briefly) in the film, you make a personal connection. The Wachowksi brothers were heavily involved in developing the game, scripting and filming the exclusive scenes, featuring actors from the film. On the basis of story, Enter The Matrix does provide an enjoyable experience, which at times surprises you. Having completed the game before viewing the film, personally this did not ruin either and in fact added a new level of appreciation. Gamestyle won’t divulge any details concerning the story lines of both, so read on in confidence.
The exclusive filmed footage is of the highest quality, but in comparison the sequences which utilise the game engine are severely lacking. The differences between the two could not greater, but amazingly the story does not suffer because of it. For a game with such a budget, Gamestyle would have expected lavish sequences similar to those developed by Square Enix – who contributed to Animatrix. Instead we receive choppy, badly textured scenes that belong to the previous generation of consoles.
The Matrix champions bland, uniform environments as these reflect the corporate world and the level of organisation and architecture similar to that of a computer. Throughout Enter The Matrix you find yourself in such environments, which enforce this ideal. Each location is banal, but differs to that of P.N.03 because here there is a detectable human presence. Indeed the environments could have done with more interaction or detail, but in the Matrix things that do not have a function or purpose do not exist. The problem is most evident when outdoors, as it becomes hard to differentiate between streets and the game suffers because of it.
Most releases come with Dolby Pro Logic as standard, but Enter The Matrix forgoes this or any surround sound support. This is a bitter disappointment because on paper the game could have excelled, providing a rich, dynamic and enthralling experience. As it stands the voice acting is excellent, as is the compelling soundtrack, and the sound effects are authentic, but you are left wondering what should have been.
With this release Shiny Entertainment took on its biggest challenge to date, and one arguably it could not cope with. A new level of access to the film and its resources may seem wonderful, but the level of control that arguably rested with the creators may have been a hindrance. Being a fan of video games and actually developing one, are two entirely different matters regardless of your day job. This may explain the convoluted approach to Enter The Matrix, which offers flying, driving, and on foot combat amongst others without effectively capturing any offering. In fact the with the exception of being on foot, the others feel very much like an afterthought, only serving a purpose of moving the story to a new location.
The main problem beyond the visual execution is the poor overall level design, which is one dimensional and linear. The game engine seems outdated because of the incessant loading, which punctuates the Playstation 2 version. Levels are broken down into stages that may involve only a few rooms or a stretch of driving, resulting in some of the shortest stages and badly placed save points ever conceived. The driving sections are undoubtedly terrible, a true Shakespeare tragedy which beggars belief. Each is a vacuum where boredom and frustration replace enjoyment as you try to avoid making that one mistake which will result in you starting again. There is no consistency in the placement of save points, which seem dictated by the graphical constraints as opposed to any logical planning. Playing as Ghost you ride shotgun with the occasional turn behind the wheel; variety is good but not when both roles are tedious and laughable.
In comparison the main strength of this release are the sections where you find yourself on foot. Thankfully such sections are the most common, and the nearest you come to experiencing the Matrix. Each character may possess moves of their own, but the unarmed combat system is very limited, restricting itself to three buttons, with the analogue stick only influencing kicks. However combine this with some wonderful weaponry and the constantly copied Matrix bullet time, and you have an enthralling mix. The erratic camera may try its best to limit your enjoyment but combat never becomes tiresome. With later enemies proving a challenging obstacle you are able to experiment with your surroundings and tactics. When the multiple enemies approach, and the music kicks in, you cannot help but enjoy proceedings. It is this feature that saves the entire package - if only the other sections were half as enjoyable.
Shiny never fails to deliver a challenging game and Enter The Matrix is no different. Unquestionably many players will struggle on the Normal default setting, especially during boss encounters. Overcoming these is not only a matter of evaluating patterns but also using the intriguing but ultimately limited Hacking option. Similar in design to DOS this allows you to hack into the Matrix, unlocking drives, folders and files which in turn lead to new abilities, modes and levels. You are also able to view images, read documents, have text conversations and drop weapons into the game itself. This is a redeeming feature, but one that may prove initially complex to those without computer knowledge. Persevere and it will not only prove rewarding, but creates a new dimension to the main game itself. Play through the game again as the other main character, experiencing aspects differently with your newly acquired hacking skills.
Enter The Matrix cannot be considered anything other than a disappointing release, and as such contains many problems including bugs, which affected the sound during several sequences on this version. This along with the poor driving sections and awful ending creates the feeling of a rushed product. The task may have been too much for Shiny Entertainment despite their good intentions, but ultimately fans and gamers will view this as the one that got away.
Rating: 5 / 10
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