PS2 The Matrix: Path of Neo review:2 stars (Major Disappointment) - "The Matrix" has been great entertainment for years: I love the film trilogy, I enjoyed the companion tales of "The Animatrix", but more relevant I enjoyed the "Enter The Matrix" video game (it's a 4 out of 5). So when I popped in this disc, and eagerly awaited the next installment in this iconic world...I was stunned!
CONCEPT
Players will assume the role of Neo for the entire film trilogy. Half of the game revolves around key sequences (Morpheus' rescue, or Neo vs. Agent Smith). The other half includes portions that add to the overall story. For example, 5 short tales are about Neo freeing the minds of The Matrix's inhabitants. Gamers can improve Neo's abilities and powers as they progress through a simple upgrade system.
GRAPHICS / ANIMATION
---The game looks solid enough, but the character models aren't very smooth and look a little blocky. The environments are nicely detailed, but there isn't much interaction with them. The martial arts combat 'looks' smooth, but collision detection has some serious issues. The walls are destructible, but the character models don't react correctly to their surroundings. Try to imagine a dark, gritty, and unclean "Jade Empire", and you get the right idea.
SOUND
---The music doesn't stand out very much; in fact, it often becomes silent in the middle of cutscenes. The voice-acting isn't great, but rarely is bad. The only sore spots are actually when different actors quote the movies' lines. What's really strange is that when players use the Focus ability, the sound becomes muted and muffled. It's a really annoying experience. The guns sound fine, but don't have much of a punch to them. The martial arts attacks sound good, but also lack much emphasis to get one's blood racing.
PRESENTATION
---This is the part that ticks me off the most. "Enter The Matrix" seamlessly interweaved "The Matrix Reloaded" footage with original cutscenes to create a good story. In "Path of Neo", the actual film footage is used with no cohesion whatsoever. Seriously, movie clips are randomly spurted like an ESPN highlight reel, and end with a brief clip that pertains to the level you're about to play. In-game cutscenes aren't too shabby, but are inconsistent. Some are outstanding, while others are extremely weak. Some of the in-game presentation reminded me of the "Minority Report" game that was released three years back. To make matters worse, the Focus ability (which initiates Bullet Time) gives an annoying green tint on the screen. This becomes extremely annoying.
GAMEPLAY
---When compared to "Enter The Matrix", this game takes too many steps back. Climbing ledges and scaling walls is difficult and useless, gun-shooting isn't fun and feels like it was tacked, and there are even some platform exercises. The platforming isn't bad, because it actually feels fresh. But the key feature is obviously the martial arts fighting. This was not done too bad. The motion capture is very good (if not always timed right), and doesn't feeling like you're watching it like "Enter The Matrix". Instead of combining odd camera angles like last time, "Path of Neo" is a complete third-person adventure. The hand-to-hand combat is inconsistent, because sometimes animations can't be stopped, but it is slightly fun. The problem with that, however, is that the the first third of the game is an introductory phase. "Path of Neo" features some of the most unenjoyable training I've ever played. Only the most patient gamer will want to reach the "Reloaded" and "Revolutions" chapters.
OVERALL
---I really hate this game. It isn't worth the 50-dolalr asking price. I really want to like this game, but when I play "Enter The Matrix" and compare it to "Path of Neo", too many steps were taken backwards. My love for "The Matrix" stories and experiences can only propel a bad game so far. "Path of Neo" is not worth your time or patience.5 stars (A suberbly made and entertaining game) - This is how all movie/games should be made - with care and attention to detail. There are many things right with this game so lets take a quick look at them.
Graphics
The graphics push the ps2 to it's absolute limit, the producers even managed to get in "normal mapping" a graphical technique thought impossible on the ps2. The characters all look very like their movie counterparts, which is great news. The shadows/shading is great and has never been done to this high quality on the ps2 before. 16:9 widescreen is also included.
9/10
Sound
The music is brilliant and varies from hard beat to rousing operatic styles that really capture the mood and stir the emotions. They retain very high voice acting standards with many of the cast comming and doing voice work such as Laurence Fishbourne.
9/10
Gameplay
This is what makes or breaks a game. Think max paine crossed with a martial arts fighter. The combos and attacks are excellent and you really feel the power/grace in them. They were designed by the martial arts master who did the choreography from the films and it shows.
It's also great to see what the films left out and the many stories that occur here. Written by the directors of the movies themselves they represent what the trilogy would have been if each film was many, many hours long. Neo uses his flying to chose many varied missions over the city that are interesting and really add to the depth.
9/10
Overall
This is one of the best releases of the year, and if your a matrix fan you must get this. Even if your not it's a superb action game worthy of being in someones collection.
9/105 stars (Worth All of the 49 dollars and 92 cents of your wallet !!) - This game is everything and may be even more than you would hope it to be! Graphics? Just incredible. In the screenshots and game trailer, the graphics do not seem to be that high tech, but if you actually play the game, it will seem like a next-gen title. This game is a third person Prince of Persia slash Devil May Cry type but only that you get to be Neo as you kick some major Agent-ass down the way of an incredible journey. The combos are very impressive and fun to execute.
If you played the previous matrix game, trust me, you'll actually be staying awake this time while playing! |
