Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Enter the Matrix places you in the dual roles of Niobe and Ghost, two pivotal characters in the battle to save Zion. As Niobe, you’ll rely on her martial arts prowess and agility, delivering fluid hand-to-hand combat that mirrors the iconic fight choreography of the films. Switching to Ghost offers a contrasting style focused on precision shooting and tactical firearms use. This dynamic duo setup keeps the gameplay fresh, allowing you to tailor your approach based on mission objectives and personal preference.

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The traversal mechanics are a standout feature, drawing heavily from the source material’s gravity-defying action. You’ll wall-run through city alleys, leap across rooftops, and shimmy along pipes, all while dodging oncoming gunfire. These platforming elements feel intuitive, although occasional camera angles can make tight jumps a challenge. Thankfully, the game’s checkpoint system is forgiving, reducing frustration when you miss a critical leap or get caught in a firefight.

Combat revolves around an arsenal of weapons, from security pistols and SMGs to shotguns and grenades, complemented by an extensive suite of hand-to-hand moves. The Focus mechanic – essentially the franchise’s signature bullet time – allows you to slow down incoming fire, perform mid-air kicks, and weave past adversaries with cinematic flair. Timing and resource management (Focus meter and ammo) add a strategic layer, encouraging you to blend melee and ranged tactics for maximum impact.

Graphics

At launch, Enter the Matrix showcased cutting-edge visuals that faithfully replicated the film’s unmistakable green-tinted world. Character models of Niobe and Ghost benefit from direct performance capture by Jada Pinkett Smith and Anthony Wong, lending authenticity to their digital counterparts. Facial animations are surprisingly expressive, bringing vital story moments to life through subtle gestures and eye movements.

The environments range from sleek, neon-lit cityscapes inside the Matrix to gritty, industrial corridors on the Logos. Texture work occasionally feels dated by modern standards, but the game compensates with atmospheric lighting and particle effects that emphasize every bullet trail and explosion. During Focus sequences, the landscape blurs and desaturates, heightening the sensation of slowing time and creating some of the most memorable visual moments in the game.

Enemy designs span a variety of Agent constructs, armored Sentinels, and human mercenaries, each presenting a distinct challenge. The developers cleverly reuse assets in different color palettes, ensuring battles never feel monotonous. Draw distances are respectable, and level geometry supports acrobatic feats without noticeable pop-in. While frame rates dip during the most chaotic firefights, the overall presentation remains impressively stable.

Story

Enter the Matrix weaves its narrative tightly around the events of The Matrix Reloaded, filling in gaps and offering new perspectives on the war for Zion. Scripted and directed by the Wachowskis, the game delivers original cutscenes that slot seamlessly into the film’s timeline. You’ll witness crucial moments—like retrieving critical data modules and evading formidable pursuers—that augment the cinematic experience and deepen your understanding of secondary characters.

Playing as Niobe and Ghost provides insight into missions that are only referenced in passing in the movies. Their personal motivations and banter enrich the lore, giving fans new context for the overarching struggle against the Machines. Voiceovers and on-the-fly commentary occur frequently, making you feel like an integral part of the rebel fleet’s inner circle. The game’s pacing mirrors a blockbuster action thriller, with mission briefings, stealth infiltrations, and high-octane chases.

The plot occasionally leans on exposition-heavy dialogue to bridge the film and game worlds, which can feel clunky during slower sequences. However, the authenticity of actor performances and the Wachowskis’ involvement ensure that every narrative beat carries weight. Key story missions feature branching paths, rewarding exploration and offering alternative ways to complete objectives—though the main storyline remains linear and focused on advancing the Reloaded saga.

Overall Experience

Enter the Matrix succeeds as both a companion piece to The Matrix Reloaded and a standalone action game. Fans of the franchise will revel in its homage to the movies, from slick fight choreography to bullet time acrobatics. The dual-protagonist format delivers substantial content, with roughly 20 hours of gameplay across two intertwined campaigns. Optional side objectives and collectible data packets further extend replay value for completionists.

On the flip side, the title shows its age in control responsiveness and camera management. Precise platforming can be hindered by occasional clipping or awkward viewpoint shifts, particularly in tight indoor areas. Enemy AI sometimes sticks to predetermined paths, reducing emergent challenge, and load times between levels can interrupt the flow of action. Despite these technical quirks, the core combat loop remains satisfyingly visceral.

Ultimately, Enter the Matrix remains a worthwhile purchase for those seeking to immerse themselves deeper in the Wachowskis’ universe. Its combination of varied gameplay, direct narrative ties to a major motion picture, and signature Matrix aesthetics make it a standout relic of early 2000s gaming. If you’re drawn to martial-arts flair, bullet-bending stunts, and a story that complements the big screen, this adventure is well worth your time.

Retro Replay Score

6.1/10