The Matrix Online

by Sega

Product Features

• Full recreation of the world seen in the Matrix films - -you'll be able to pull off the same incredible martial arts moves and Bullet Time effects
• Travel through a rich World Cityscape environment with traffic, living neighborhoods, and breathtaking skylines as you face a variety of enemies
• A robust mission system offers players maximum re-playability and depth
• Customizable skill/ability system allows players to download the appropriate skills and abilities for their character each time they jack into the game
• Plot lines continue the story where the movies end, for deep insight into the world of The Matrix

Product Details

• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B0006SQWSU
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5 x 1.2 inches ; 9.6 ounces
• Media: CD-ROM
• Release Date: March 22, 2005
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #24,468 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

In 2005, the Matrix will become a reality as gamers everywhere log into The Matrix Online to continue the saga of the Matrix-movie trilogy.

Players of The Matrix Online (Mx0) will inhabit an enormous urban sprawl, which spreads for miles in all directions. There are subways, nightclubs, skyscrapers, and dark alleys that all seem normal on the surface, but beneath this pedestrian exterior, a secret war is being waged for the survival of humanity and machine alike. Here, you and many operatives like yourself, will determine who shall inherit the earth.

Features:

• Dozens of weapons and dramatic martial arts maneuvers that capture the "wire fu" Matrix experience. Use devastating special moves and sneak attacks including breath-taking bullet-time effects that are intelligently generated based on player moves and tactics.
• Plot lines by the creators of The Matrix continue the Matrix story where the movie trilogy leaves off and provide you with deep insight into the world of the Matrix.
• The Matrix Online will engage you with special events, missions, and monthly story cinematics, all of which effect the action in the game.
• A full RichWorld cityscape environment with traffic, living neighborhoods, and breathtaking skylines that immerse players in the most authentic Matrix MegaCity ever created (using RichWorld technology).
• A robust mission system designed for maximum re-playability and depth. Players receive missions from familiar organizations in the Matrix, such as Zion and the Machines.
• Authentic "Matrix style" clothing and character customization options allow players to live a virtual life that reflects the fashion of the Matrix movies.
• Find, create, or trade Matrix "ability code" that provides incredible knowledge and skill to your character. Unlike other massively multiplayer games, ability code can be swapped out and exchanged like trading cards, providing unprecedented flexibility in the development of a character.
• Players can tap into sources of "information" in the game to create or steal code fragments. Code can be used to create both special Matrix items and special abilities.

Product Description

The Matrix Online is a massive-multiplayer online game that takes you into the world of the hit Matrix movies. After Neo won the battle for human freedom, a series of "redpills" were released from the Matrix and taken to the Desert Of The Real. The world they thought they knew is gone - and now they're soldiers in a secret war that goes on between Machines, Zionists, and Exiles, just below the surface of the world we see.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the coolest games I've ever played..., April 15, 2005

By 

Chris R. Dow "Taliesin" (Central Valley, CA USA) - See all my reviews

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: The Matrix Online (CD-ROM)

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.

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Be ready to cancel your subscription, May 31, 2005

By 

Danny Leong "dingo" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: The Matrix Online (CD-ROM)

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.

30 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Some potential; but not ready for prime time, May 27, 2005

By 

Odiseph "Odi" - See all my reviews

= Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: The Matrix Online (CD-ROM)

The movies were decent and had a compelling storyline. Nice that we have a game that picks up the pieces and moves forward.

Some negatives:

The Matrix Online does have potential; but it starts off in a bad way. The minimum specs outright lie to the consumer.

1. In my opinion, the only excuse to post untruths on minimum specs is to hoodwink fellow gamers into buying product. The game is near unplayable with the listed 512meg minimum, so, if you do not have a gig of RAM, it may be prudent to delay purchase.

2. The graphics are quite fuzzy and certainly not up to what most of us expect from today's marketplace.

3. Alpha and Beta issues bleed into the retail release, such as game balance and the game outright cheats at times. For instance, engaging same level NPC's who might attack with moves/powers/etc not available for another couple levels. Maxing out your avatar, only to be beaten in combat due to an NPC's ability to consistently cast higher rolls is disconcerting as well. Weapon effectiveness has barely any relation to real life.

4. Solo running can be pretty rough. After level 10 or so, 95% of the mission pulls begin in harsh territory where encounters with mobs several levels higher while you are in transit are quite likely.

5. bugs, bugs, bugs... At the moment, my favorite bug is combat freeze. During combat you get caught into a loop where nothing can be done from your end. The only hope is to die, reconstruct, and come back to again attempt to finish the mission. You say you just killed the last NPC? Then it's a total wash. Wasted time and no payoff. Incomplete missions because not all of the NPC's can be accounted for (found one on the roof of a building once, far from the area of engagement) are annoying. Bleed through from an avatar on another server use to make my day too.

6. For whatever reasons, the servers seemingly have a difficult time keeping up with a gamer's position. The servers think you are running into a wall, staunchion, building, etc.; but on your screen its more like an invisible wall. Hitting the up arrow a couple taps to roll forward sometimes updates your position to the servers.

7. The female avatars are often extraordinarily endowed. Oh wait, that's a good thing...I think?

On the positive side:

1. It's nice to be in a game without "magic" (although *hacking* is a kinda magic, I suppose.:)).

2. Never running out of ammunition is a plus for me.

3. Many of the clothing designs are quite nice. Definitely some talent went into it.

4. A lot of effort went into building diversifications, overpasses, streets, roads, etc..

5. The tie into AOL's messenger is very nice. You can exchange quips with friends while not being in the game.

6. No matter what game, if you are with friends, it's a good thing until everyone can agree what title to go to next.

Bottomline, The Matrix Online is abit of a change in pace. While running missions can get monotonous, "being" with friends makes all the difference for me and AOL's Instant Messenger brings more convenience towards that endeavor.

Hugs Around,

Odi