Enter the Matrix is an action-adventure video game developed by Shiny Entertainment, published by Atari, and released for Xbox, PlayStation 2, Microsoft Windows, and GameCube. The game's story follows Niobe and Ghost during the events of The Matrix Reloaded.
Campaign:
If you’re looking for an immersive Matrix experience, Enter the Matrix does a solid job of expanding the universe beyond the films. The story follows Niobe, the captain of the rebel ship Logos, and Ghost, her first mate and weapons expert, during the events of The Matrix Reloaded. While the plot does a commendable job of integrating with the films, it lacks depth and could have been far more compelling. The game allows players to interact with key characters and witness pivotal events from a new perspective, but the storytelling often feels rushed.
One of the game’s strengths is how it fleshes out Niobe and Ghost, giving them character development that was largely absent in the films. However, the biggest drawback is the campaign’s linearity. There’s little room for player agency, and objectives feel restrictive. While the missions are action-packed, they rarely give a full sense of the bigger picture. A more open-ended structure or meaningful player choices could have made the campaign far more engaging.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Gameplay:
Players control either Niobe or Ghost, though their core gameplay remains largely identical outside of vehicle segments. Niobe handles the piloting in car chases, while Ghost takes on the gunplay. The controls are responsive, and the combat mechanics are entertaining, particularly with the "Bullet Time" feature. This ability slows down time, allowing players to execute acrobatic martial arts moves, dodge bullets, and perform stylish stunts like backflips, wall runs, and cartwheels. The mechanic feels true to The Matrix and is one of the game’s highlights.
However, the gameplay can quickly become repetitive. Most levels consist of running, fighting, and shooting enemies with little variation. While some sequences, like the car chase levels, provide a refreshing change, they don’t do enough to break the monotony. Additionally, the game suffers from frequent bugs, occasional frame rate drops, and inconsistent AI behavior, which can make certain sections frustrating. The lack of replayability is another major issue—aside from playing as both characters, there’s little incentive to revisit the game. There are no alternate modes, no collectibles, no branching paths, and minimal customization. Outside of enjoying slow-motion combat, the game offers little reason to return after completing the campaign.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Production:
Visually, Enter the Matrix effectively captures the green-tinted aesthetic of the films, creating an authentic Matrix atmosphere. The environmental design is decent, but character models are blocky, and animations feel stiff, making some sequences appear awkward. While the graphics were serviceable for the time, they haven’t aged well.
One of the game’s most exciting elements is the inclusion of live-action cutscenes filmed specifically for Enter the Matrix. These scenes feature the original actors and offer additional story content, making them a treat for hardcore fans. The game also integrates clips from The Matrix Reloaded, further tying it to the films.
The soundtrack is a standout, pulling directly from the films to create an intense and immersive experience. The sound design is equally impressive, with distinct and powerful weapon effects. The voice acting is another highlight, with Jada Pinkett-Smith and Anthony Wong delivering strong performances as Niobe and Ghost, adding depth to their characters despite the game’s shortcoming.
Rating: 4 out of 5
The Verdict:
In the end, Enter the Matrix is one of those games that's a
fun addition to a movie but misses the mark as far as impacting the
series. If you're a die-hard fan of the
films, you'll really enjoy what the game has to offer. However, the buggy gameplay, lacking
graphics, linear campaign, lack of replayability, and lackluster story just
holds the game back from being something amazing. Enter the Matrix gets 3 out of 5.
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