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The Matrix: Path of Neo (PC/Xbox/PS2)

The Matrix: Path of Neo

Information
Reviewer: James Collins
Developer: Shiny Entertainment
Publisher: Atari
Platform: PC, PS2 and Xbox
Genre: Action Adventure
UK Release: 11th Nov 2005
Article Date: 17th Nov 2005
Difficulty: Medium
Price: £39.99
Score Breakdown
Experience:
Game Play:
Graphics:
Sound:


Overall Score: 80%
Discuss this review in the Forums
Pros
  • Play as Neo
  • Some very cool moves
    Cons
  • Gets samely
  • Animation problems
    Screenshots

    6 of 10
    		•

    Many will see ‘The Matrix: The Path of Neo’ as the game that should have been released right from the start. Apart from a dodgy MMORPG and another poor interpretation of the Matrix universe (Enter The Matrix), players gasping to have a plot based more on the blockbuster movies have been left out in the cold, well until now that is.

    Enter Shiny Entertainment, who promised us this time they have hit the right chord. Featuring all three movies, players at last have the chance to control Neo, and guide him from computer nerd, to mankind’s last chance of survival just like in the trilogy. Been on Mars for the last five years and not sure exactly what the Matrix is? Simply buy all three DVD’s and rejoin us when you’re ready – believe us, we really haven’t got the time to scratch the surface in this review.

    Without a doubt The Matrix was one of the greatest films to be produced in the nineties, and a game befitting the franchise is certainly something long suffering gaming fans deserved. Anyone who has seen the movies will recognise just about all of the levels. You’ll have to guide Neo away from the agents as he speaks to Morpheus from the phone received from the Fed Ex delivery guy all the way to the third movies final sequences. But the plot isn’t actually what makes Path of Neo so much fun, there’s some great gameplay lurking inside as well.

    At heart the Path of Neo is just another third person brawler, but it’s a brawler that deserves to be given a chance. You enter most stages with the task of annihilating all the enemies that lie in wait – all pretty standard stuff. There is an element of stealth thrown in; you can take down enemies if you sneak up without them noticing but most of the time you’ll want to put some of the cool moves to good measure, and in this area Path of Neo positively exhales coolness.

    Even though the game is based on the film, Shiny Entertainment has added some impressive branching storylines. Serving more as a ‘what if’, fans that can recite the script word for word will still have something to see. Take the scene where Thomas Anderson (Neo) is instructed to jump out of the window and escape the Agent. In the film the hero panics and doesn’t make it through the window, in the Path of Neo you have the chance to change the story (if only briefly) and actually escape the Agents this time.

    Of course with you donning the clothes of Neo you can be sure you’ll be awarded with some cool moves after your initial training. At the end of most missions you’ll be able to unlock certain upgrades which range from improved bullet time and the ability to see the matrix in its purest form. This ability alone will allow you to locate all the secret rooms that the game contains. You’ll also be able to upgrade moves already at your disposal like better dodge attack moves and even the ability to master kung-fu and judo. Bullet time increases with time, and whilst at first you’ll only be able to enter bullet time for short bursts, (by holding down L1) as you enter the closing stages of the game bullet time bouts with agents begin to look truly spectacular.

    Voice acting is assured with most characters that made the original films a success returning to their roles in Path of Neo. That means that Laurence Fishburne plays Morpheus, Carrie-Anne Moss plays the beautiful Trinity and of course Keanu Reeves plays Thomas Anderson alias Neo. Using the right actors does help keep the production value up and with the writers of the film the Wachowski brothers penning this game helps keep things faithful.

    PC owners should be aware that this is a console game first and a PC title only because of the demand. There are no options to increase the screen resolution and just as annoyingly mouse support has been disabled in the menus. Xbox and PS2 owners are in for a treat though, for The Matrix: The Path of Neo features some breathtaking action sequences which seem befitting to the consoles.

    Fans of the three movies will probably love everything that the Path of Neo throws at them. Essentially it’s just a basic brawler with some pretty linear missions thrown in; but every now and then you cant fail to be impressed with some of the fighting sections you get to play out. Shiny Entertainment might fall short on the game of the year title but they have finally done The Matrix some justice, and for now that’ll be good enough for the fans.





    DETAILED GAME INFORMATION

    [Click to enlarge image][Click to enlarge image][Click to enlarge image][Click to enlarge image][Click to enlarge image]
    [Click to visit the official site]


    Version Reviewed: Xbox Promo
    Other Versions: PC, PS2
    Muliplayer: No
    Price: £34.99

    Path Of Neo Trailer(55MB) - DOWNLOAD HERE





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