Enter the Matrix

The first idea with which one must grapple is that ENTER THE MATRIX isn't meant to stand on its own. Most movie- or television-based games try to restage the action of the films - often with mixed results, though exceptions like EA's THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS do exist - or simply shoehorn familiar characters into awkward videogame frameworks like platforming or cart-racing. ENTER THE MATRIX is instead an integral part of THE MATRIX RELOADED, connecting with and being informed by that film in an unprecedented fashion.

This relationship to the filmic source material is paradoxically ENTER THE MATRIX's greatest asset and its most severe flaw. While those watching THE MATRIX RELOADED won't need any of the hour of new, DVD-quality material filmed specifically for the game, footage that fills in background action for the movie, ENTER THE MATRIX players simply can't derive much enjoyment from the game without a thorough familiarity with the film. ENTER THE MATRIX makes no attempt to stand alone, and unless a player has seen THE MATRIX RELOADED, oftentimes the sequences portrayed with make little to no sense.

At the same time, those who have seen THE MATRIX RELOADED will have a blast. ENTER THE MATRIX has issues in terms of control, sometimes glitchy sound and occasionally awkward graphics, but the sensation of being in the movie has never been so strong when playing a videogame as it is here. Players who know THE MATRIX RELOADED will thrill to execute crucial behind-the-scenes missions, the success of which carries the fate of MATRIX heroes Neo, Trinity and Morpheus in the balance.

The aforementioned flaws in the game's design are a problem, even though the "you are there" sensation of ENTER THE MATRIX is so powerful. Released on the same day as THE MATRIX RELOADED, ENTER THE MATRIX probably could have used another two or three months of fine-tuning to bring the game's disparate elements of running, shooting, driving and martial arts combat into better alignment. The extraordinary synergy between the production of THE MATRIX RELOADED and ENTER THE MATRIX makes for some stunning moments, and players can't help but cheer themselves on when executing a slo-mo kung fu takedown rendered with exquisite motion-capture. However it's high points like those that only serve to draw attention to the game's flaws. ENTER THE MATRIX breaks new ground in media tie-in videogames. Unfortunately, like most pioneers it's rough around the edges. Players willing to overlook those imperfections are in for a great time.