The Matrix Online

Ok, my love for this game began with the movies. All of the movies were excellent. A lot of people didn't like the last 2, and they're welcome to their opinion, but you can't fault a movie for not doing what YOU thought it should do. Look at the story and concepts that the creators were trying to get across. Did it do that well? From the interviews I've seen of the Wachowski brothers, I would have to say yes.

That being said, the games continue the storyline in a more interactive capacity with the Matrix online. The concepts presented in this game are awesome. I'd like to present the top few coolest things I like about the Matrix Online (MxO)

1. Interlock Combat System - Ok, the combat system of MxO is incredibly cool. Akin to the old pen and paper RPG's, there are a few standard attacks. Speed, Power, Grab and Block. However, the animations for the fighting are just superb. From punching the crud out of people to grabbing the back of their head and driving your knee through their forehead, to using a firearm in close combat, the results of the interlock system are just phenominal. It's almost like Ultra Advanced Paper, Rock Scissors in its simplicity, but there are so many more options. You can choose your basic Self-Defense style. Later, I can choose Karate, Aikido, or Kung-Fu as my style. I can also easily perform special moves like Hindering Shot, or Cheap Shot. The system is awesome in its simplicity, and I never tire of pounding my enemies, and nothing compares to the random occurence of bullet time during combat!

2. Unlimited Ability Choices - In a lot of RPG's (both computer and pen/paper) you pick a class, and then you are stuck with that class' abilities. In MxO, this is not the case. Anyone can do anything. Now, your attributes dictate how GOOD you are at some of these things, but any ability can be learned by any character. You just have to create or purchase the ability code (everything in the Matrix is code...more on that later), and you have the ability. You can load it up when you enter the matrix and use it as you need to. This kind of unlimited character type is a very cool way of doing things!

3. Clothing Options and Variety - I'm a guy, but even I have to admit that the amount of clothing styles are huge! Within the first night of playing, I had gotten enough money to purchase a nice Magenta Duster/Pants outfit that made my character just look tight. There are so many types of clothes, I'm not sure that I'll have time to see them all, let alone wear most of them. Gender-specific clothes are a good idea, but I get sick of picking up female clothes all the time off of male bodies. :) However, the sheer variety of clothes is truly amazing.

4. Coders - The Coder abilities range from viral attacks to actual item creation within the Matrix itself. When I'm fighing gang members, I pick up a lot of these things called code fragments. Now, I don't have the ability yet, but a coder can take those fragments and create useful items such as guns, clothing, items, etc. The coder can then give away or sell these items. Now, in order to do this, the coder must have the "recipe" for the item. He can do this by deconstructing items in the Matrix into their individual code fragments, and such. The coder can also repair any items created in the matrix from breaking down normally. I love the implementation of item creation in the matrix.

These are just a few of the awesome things about this game. Yes, you have to have a nice system, but I rarely see a game that runs well on the minimum requirements. Yes, there is some amount of lag, but I've talked with friends playing FFXI as well as World of Warcraft, and they report lag as well. Deal with it and enjoy the masterpiece that is Matrix Online!

Finally, the storyline cannot be ignored. From time to time (Once a Month is the current schedule), the Monolith Live Events Team will be putting on a story event, and the players will be able to take place in it. From conversing with Morpheus himself to fighting for the Merovingian, the ongoing story will continue to unfold with you at the forefront. Definitely a deal maker for me, and I know others share my beliefs, but they're to busy playing MxO to post a review!!

ADDITION:
I would have to agree with the person who said you choose between looking good or fighting well. At the moment, my character looks like a complete dork, because I've had to put on all kinds or random, mismatched clothing that gives me sweet bonuses.

This does not detract from play, in my opinion, but if they added a feature to modify clothing to give bonuses, for a hefty $Information fee, that would definitely add. Still one of the coolest games I've played.

At $29.99 the game is a good deal for a couple weeks of fun. In a top-of-the-line computer, the Matrix really does comes to life. You need lot of cars on the street (they actually obey traffic lights), people walking around oblivious to the illusion around them. A martial art fighting is nicely choreographed and very believable. The production value of Matrix Online has got to be one of the highest in gaming history.

The game is all dressed up but has nowhere to go, unfortunately. All the wonderful shops, restuarants, and clubs are just there without a purpose. You can't do anything in them other than to sit. The designers had failed miserably in making use of the environment and storyline. Missions, beyond the initial few, are boring and purposeless. The gameplay starts to sag as you level up, because of game imbalance--combat becomes you overpowering the enemy or he overpowering you. And the constant running from point A to point B feels more like a chore when the surrounding environment no longer impresses you.

The Matrix Online is also very buggy. It has actually become buggier three months since launch. The last "live event" was nothing but trouble. The game was unstable. The servers were unstable. Missions were bugged. As though to crown it all, the cut scene depicting the death of Morpheus suffered from major clipping bugs.

If you a big Matrix fan then you're enjoy this game despite its flaw--for a short while anyway. Just don't expect to be playing long term. After the first month you will likely want to cancel.

I was in the Beta/Stress test for this title and it seriously has a lot of potential. Great fighting system, that sort resembles City of Heroes if you've played that. You can choose you character's field of expertise as you level up. The great thing though, is that you can change you expertise whenever you want(as long as you have the cash to do so), so if you get sick of Kung-fu, switch to Karate or Aikido, sick of hand to hand, switch to a virus sending hacker, or be an asset to your team by being a patcher/healer. Literally dozens of different moves for each that you earn as you level up.

Also worked in is a great chat system, allowing you to speak to those in your area, team, crew, or faction.

You can choose to join a faction and thereby choose your alliance, either with the Machines, the Zionists, or the Exiles, or you can simply work for all of them and go it alone.

Tons of great features make this a worthy way to spend the fifty bucks. HOWEVER, you of course will also have to pay a fifteen dollar a month subsription after the 30 day free trial. Of course that's pretty much the case with all MMPORPG's. So you make the call, That's 50 up front and about 180 a year in addition to that if you want to play it since obviously The Matrix ONLINE has no offline functionality.

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