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The Matrix Path of Neo
The Matrix Path Of Neo follows not just one
of the movies or a small part of the story, but as the titles implies,
it follows the Path Of Neo. In so doing it covers all three of the
films. The Matrix, The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions. That
in itself may not be enough to make you want to play this game, the fact
that you get to take control of the main character Neo though, is more
than enough. Following Neo on the path to becoming∑‰the One.‰ Is rather
fun. Frustrating at times, as is many a game out there. But who is out
there that has seen the movies that did not more than once long to take
control of the character in a game world situation and go at it? To be
able to do all the cool moves and a whole lot more? Well folks here it
is. Matrix Path Of Neo if anything is „the One game‰ that delivers the
goods at long last in that respect.
Gamers play as Neo and things that happened in the movies, don‚t
necessarily have to happen in the game. The players choices, and the way
they deal with things during game play all have some effect on the over
all game. In the films if Neo failed during a certain task, which does
not mean the player is going to automatically fail. It is all on the
gamer/player. The player IS walking the path of Neo.
Sounds cool heh? For the most part it is. This is not to say that a game
cannot end with Neo being captured at a wrong time or killed. What‚s
great is that rather than making the player start the whole darn thing
over again from the very beginning. it restarts things just a few
moments before the failure. There are all kinds of alternate scenarios
and new characters, all of the content and storylines all penned by the
Wachowski Brothers. Maybe it‚s their way of saying sorry for Matrix
Revolutions. If nothing else it helps get that bad taste left by the
mediocre „Enter The Matrix‰ game. How ever you want to explain it, some
of the training sequences involved are just a blast to play and as with
the films pay tribute to some of the most awesome action films out
there. Influences from films such as some of the Samurai cinema films,
and even Jackie Chan‚s Drunken Master when axe wielding thugs press the
attack and it‚s up to you to take out as many as you can within a timed
limit, and on to gun battles influenced by such great films as Hard
Boiled and other John Woo films. All of these levels make it interesting
and actually fun to train. There are some issues with gun play and
targeting, but more on that later.
Thankfully this time around the game is light years ahead of the „Enter
The Matrix‰ game, or at least visually, and play ably∑(Is that even a
word?) not sure. But Matrix Path Of Neo is sure to be covering
everything a fan would really want from a Matrix game. Walking the Path
as Neo and get this∑this time around you can actually win. Unlike the
movies which we see the end of some of the coolest characters, in this
game, the player as Neo can succeed in the final fight to save all of
mankind and live to tell about it.
First let‚s talk about the characters in the game, Allies, Enemies and
other Non Player Character types. As the game progresses the player as
Neo with fight along with other characters, Some of the more notable
characters are of course Morpheus who is the captain of the
Nebuchadenessar, that really cool hover like craft that they get around
in the underground and destroyed earth in. Of course there is the very
beautiful and just as deadly Trinity, One of the interesting curves that
come along in the game is the introduction of characters that are called
Red Pills. These are characters that are just becoming awake to the
truth of the Matrix. Each of these „Red Pill‚s‰ has a special trait that
has now made them a target for the Agents. Making it a mission goal
weather it‚s noted or not, to learn the traits because these traits can
be useful during a mission. Civilians are also peppered throughout the
game. They for the most part are oblivious to what is really going on.
Some times they can be helpful. Now some other types are rather
dangerous to Neo. These progress from a small danger or annoyance to out
right deadly. Security officers or police are for the most part easy to
handle. Only when they are in great numbers or have support with weapons
such as shotguns and gas can they pose any real threat.
SWAT teams are next on the danger meter. These characters are elite and
they carry automatic weapons and grenades. In line with other types of
law enforcement or military units are the soldiers. Far better trained
than the other types and armed with heavier weapons, these characters
are a real pain in the butt to handle.
Next are two types that can actually be considered equal when it comes
to being deadly. Exiles are the first ones. These are rogue programs
that do not follow the rules of the Machine world and are now living in
exile within the Matrix, these are different types and all having
different abilities. Then of course there are the Agents. These guys are
just out right deadly and almost unbeatable. They have awesome skills in
hand to hand combat and also have speed and extreme strength. It‚s
almost not worth fighting them because they just respawn at full
strength using another body close by.
Path Of Neo uses very similar controls as „Enter The Matrix‰, on the PS2
version triangle is punch, circle is throw, square is evade/roll and
then X is jump. R2 draws the current weapon, R1 fires it, L1 enables
Focus (this is so the character can pull of some of the ultra cool moves
from the films), and L2 opens doors and activates things plus allows Neo
to back up against walls for cover. Digital pad is used to cycle through
weapons and to use the special ability of viewing the Matrix in its true
code form. Right analogue stick controls movement and the left stick
controls the angle of the camera.
The Xbox controls are Left thumb stick movement; Left thumb stick for
the camera, Black button is the action button and can be used to back up
against objects for cover. Y is strike, B is special attack such as
killing blow, A is jump (Double press for a double jump) X is evade,
Left Trigger is focus, Right Trigger is fire weapon.
Now, all this is great, but I still think the targeting could have been
better. I mean here I was getting shot by guys‚ right there in front of
me, but no matter what I do, the target system chooses someone in
another room who I cannot even see! A sorry folk for this alone the game
looses some points with me.
Neo starts the game with no real combat skills to speak of. You can
shove people away from you. That‚s about it. But that does not last
long, as Neo progresses along through the Matrix his skills progress as
well. Fighting skills are picked up in no time and some pretty cool
moves are at Neos command. Kungfu and weapons skills come in handy and
make for some pretty eye popping slow motion Matrix moves that are just
plain fun to perform. Using Focus and chaining attacks together the
player is in for some real treats such as one of my favorites some super
fast punches to the tune of like 30 or so and then a finishing slow
motion move to an opponents jaw. CRUNCH! Not to worry about trying to
memorize or know when the correct button press is needed either. Little
icons pop up that gives the player a hint as to what button press to use
for some maximum butt kicking.
Then of course there are guns. Lots of
Guns. Each one having there own damage levels as appropriate to the
type. Gun battles are load messy and crap goes flying everyplace. Very
nice. Again, the frustration of gun battles almost does not make it
worth while though. But boy, gun fights look great in this game.
Of course using focus Neo can pull of some of the all too familiar and
cool moves ala Matrix. Such as wall runs and other slow motion moves.
There is a little meter that shows the duration left in Neos focus
abilities. As the skill progresses Neo can focus a lot longer and this
sure comes in handy later in the game as enemies get more and more
numerous and deadly I kid you not. Focus can be recharged by simply
fighting in some kind of combat, in normal mode. Nice.
Within the game as Neo progresses there is a kind of role Playing Game
upgrade system. With this the player can upgrade to new skills at the
end of each stage. What‚s available depends on how well Neo/the player
did during the level.
Now of course we all look at game play as a huge draw for a game, but if
it does not look good who wants to play it no matter how good the game
play? A nitch group that‚s who. But no fears there. Path Of Neo does
look good all across the board on every platform. Of course in my humble
opinion it looks better on the Xbox, but this time around there are some
graphics on the PS2 that are just down right surprising. When things get
busy there are some small portions that the camera changes cause some
issues with seeing where you are but for the most part they can be lived
with.
Such scenes as the lobby scene when Neo and pal Trinity fight to save
Morpheus. All the columns and walls are destructible and blasting away
in this level while in focus is a visual treat not to be missed. It‚s
all here as tile is blasted into dust and debris all the while bullets
blast through the air leaving little contrails. Ah the destructive fun.
This game is enough to give new faith in the PS2 because it pulls off
stuff that you just don‚t expect from the platform. Way to go game
programmers!
Even with some of the teeth gnashing that goes on with the targeting
system, The Path Of Neo turns out to be one heck of a fun ride. Other
than the Targeting if there was anything that I would have to say What
the F****? It would have to be the use of film clips and cut scenes.
There is such a miss Mash of use of the scenes they often don‚t really
make sense nor set up the next section of game play. Don‚t worry about
the story line here; just close your eyes during these scenes unless you
just enjoy teaser clips of the films and just play.
The Matrix Path Of Neo. It is the one at long last that captures both
the look and feel of the films and brings it to the player all in a neat
and often fun package.
Have fun, play games
Edwin Millheim
Also Available on XBox, PS2 & PC
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