Enter the Matrix

by Atari

Product Features

• The game is based on a highly original blend of the key best selling console game genres
• The game has the truly authentic, photo-realistic Matrix 'look' based on unparalleled collaboration with the actual movie making production crew
• Players will see, that their actions actually have an effect on the 2nd movie

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000088KH1
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches ; 4.8 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: May 7, 2003
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (318 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,827 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
  • #34 in Video Games > PlayStation 2 > Action
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Platform: PlayStation2 | Edition: Standard

Taking place between the second and third movie in the motion picture trilogy, Enter the Matrix features a mixture of gunplay and martial arts that bends the rules. Insane driving and stunts and the chance to pilot the fastest hovercraft in the fleet proves that this isn't just a game that's set in the Matrix universe; it's an experience that's designed to be a true part of the entire Matrix mythos. Enter the Matrix is the story-behind-the-story and features slo-mo bullet time effects, never-before-seen live-action footage starring the cast of the movies, and plenty more. Also available for the Microsoft Xbox, Nintendo Gamecube, and Windows PC.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars So Much Potential, So Many Issues, May 21, 2003

By 

Lisa Shea "medieval swordfighting enthusiast" - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Enter The Matrix (Video Game)

Let me start by saying that I'm a huge fan of the Matrix. I grew up on Philip K. Dick novels, and the whole Matrix concept is one I've always loved. I thought the movie's plot, characters and special effects were great. Also, I'm a big fan of Splinter Cell and played it many times. I've always loved the Bond style games where you work your way through a level, finding objectives and taking out the bad guys.

So while I really, really wanted to be blown away by Enter the Matrix, I just wasn't. It was a GOOD game, but not nearly as good as it should have been - not nearly as good as many other games that are out right now. I almost wonder if they rushed the game into production to match the timing of the movie, instead of finishing up some much-needed polishing.

First, the good parts. It was directed by the Wachowski brothers and features the quite talented actors and actresses from the movies. It really ties in to the movie and sort of 'immerses' you in the experience. So that is quite neat. They do have Matrix-time "focus", much like in Dead to Rights, where you can temporarily slow time and do cool moves. Just like in Dead to Rights, it seems cool at first and is hardly used in actual gameplay.

Gameplay is intriguing. You're given general objectives but then have to figure out how to get to them. So you're not exactly led by the nose. There are sometimes big rooms with lots of directions, lots of offices, lots of choices. Still, the game is about getting from Point A to Point B. I definitely miss Vice City's free-roam ability.

I was pretty disappointed by the graphics. There are many other games out right now with truly STELLAR graphics, and this isn't one of them. Objects vanish from the screen. The rendering just isn't very good, compared to other games we play quite a bit. The physics models are a bit bizarre. People slide like hockey pucks across the floor. You can leap on some things but not on others, apparently at random.

The sound has serious issues. My brand new CD right from the store started double-talking almost immediately in several scenes. Also, one of the hallmarks of a great game is that the sound is context sensitive - quiet and brooding at times, thundering at the exciting parts. But this game is ALWAYS thundering. It gets very monotonous after a while and completely destroys the atmosphere.

The load time is incredibly long, and many missions are incredibly short. There are times that you almost load longer than you get to play that mission area! With the instant-reheal-totally, the instant-restart-10-seconds-ago and the lack of challenging enemies to fight, most of the game is a cakewalk.

Add to that the quite annoying aspect that there are times that a door won't open until you kill all enemies in the room. So you go around and check the doors, but you have to slay everyone there before the "special door" will open up. Yes, some games use that technique. But this game in general is supposed to be a realistic adventure. In realistic adventures, doors don't sense when all enemies are dead and then spring open.

AI, one of THE most important parts of any game, is spotty at best. Sometimes the guards hide behind cover. Sometimes they stand in the open when cover is right next door. I've had cases where a guard stood pointing a gun at a door even though I was right behind him, pounding the stuffing out of 2 of his friends. He didn't even turn around until I bashed him in the head.

And finally, the camera is just plain annoying. Every friend I've had try this game says the same thing. They all play tons of adventure and action games. Somehow this game just does a bad job with positioning the camera anywhere useful.

The game really had a great deal of potential and I think with another month or two in QA testing it could have shone. But there are many, many areas that appear to have gotten through in a "good enough" state instead of a "ready for prime time" state.

Yes, I'll play the game. And yes, I'll see the movies many, many times and talk about them endlessly with my programmer / hacker friends. But I do feel let down that with all of the money and talent available to the Wachowski brothers, they didn't give this game the attention it merited. They focussed on the MOVIE aspect of the game, but not the GAME aspect.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars BEWARE PS2 OWNERS!!, May 21, 2003

By 

P Daniel Freeze (kannapolis, n.c. USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Enter The Matrix (Video Game)

I purchased this game the day it came out and it has serious issues due to rushing the game for release to coincide with the movie. The game voices echo. The game freezes 5 levels in and background disappear!! This game wasn't even beta tested for PS2! EVERY copy I exchanged it for did the same thing and I'm NOT alone. I was lucky enough to get my money back. Atari and Sony know of this problem and offer no resolution presently. I'd LOVE to have this game ONLY if all problems are corrected! BEWARE. If you don't believe me, rent it and see if the game doesn't freeze as Niobi approaches the plane in the "Catching a Plane" level. The screen attempts to load then goes black.. FOREVER. Thank you kindly for your time and patience.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Story and All, But....., August 16, 2003

By 

Roger Bael (Minneapolis, MN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Enter The Matrix (Video Game)

Let me start by saying that I did not purchase this game, but I rented it for five days. In that span of time, playing maybe one to two hours a day, I finished every nook and cranny of the game. There are several elements that are both very intriguing and utterly laughable. To understand what I mean, let's break down the various aspects.

Graphics: While the Full Motion Video (FMV) is quite pretty, the rest of the game suffers from flicker and choppiness. There's nothing more annoying then trying to block a punch and having chop move the character animation faster than your fingers. While the world of the Matrix is recreated very nicely, there are places in the game that appear flat and lifeless. Still, the look is pretty well done, so 8/10.

Sound: The music, the sounds, the voices. All are recreated quite well from the movie, which is lends authenticity. However, in certain areas, like escaping the Post Office, the sound of crackling fire can become annoying after a while. But, since the sounds are so faithful: 9/10.

Controls: I have a little gripe here. While most of the controls are intuitive, there are moments where several enemies surround you and the default controls mean your fingers have to bend in almost yoga-like positions to stay alive. 6/10.

Overall: This game has great replay value as you get (almost) different stories with the two characters. Lonely fanboys will enjoy the girl on girl kiss during Niobe's section (think about the film with Persephone and you'll understand), and some diehard fans will be upset at how the game truly mirrors the film's plot (rescuing the Keymaker...twice?) Still the preview of the third film at the end of the game is better than the one after the film. While the game has a good script and some fun moments, it does suffer from its control scheme and choppiness. I would call it a solid renter.

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