Platform: Xbox, Ps2, Gamecube Publisher: AtariMy first instinct when I hear about a game based off of a movie is to scoff. Nine times out of 10, it sucks and turns you off of movie-based videogames for life. Thankfully, games like Enter the Matrix and Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers exist to restore any curmudgeon's faith in movie-based games.
An even more pleasant aspect of Enter the Matrix was discovering not only that the Wachowski brothers were involved in its design, but that Shiny Entertainment was behind the game itself. For the uninformed, Shiny is responsible for these savagely addictive games: Earthworm Jim (1 and 2 only), MDK (not the second one), Sacrifice, and Wild 9 (yes, the one where you can torture your enemies).
As is to be expected of any Shiny game, the game is easy to get into and play. It makes excellent use of the controller and mastery of the controls is relatively straightforward. The game also follows the story of Matrix Reloaded very well, only with two supporting characters (Ghost and Niobe) as the focus of the game. Each scene unfolds differently and gives you a number of ways to use your character's focus, which will replenish, along with your health, so long as you're not sustaining damage or using abilities.
Furthermore, Enter the Matrix has a host of tricks and combos that are all handled with various button combos or ability combos, thereby giving you the same abilities as the characters in the movie. The cut scenes are also brilliantly rendered, tapping the talent and clips from the movie liberally.
Overall, Matrix fans should get this game along with anyone who likes a real innovative and action game. In terms of replay value, it may be useful to go back through the game at least once or twice to see what you missed or play as the other character. With that in mind, each scenario also unfolds differently, depending on who you chose to play.
Xbox LiveYou have heard enough from me about the Xbox Live component in various games lately. But do you care? You should. Unlike the PS2's network adapter, which opens you up to the possibility of recurrent online fees from multiple companies on account of having to connect to individual servers hosted by the publisher, Xbox Live offers centralized online gaming. And by that, I mean you can have any game that is Live-enabled and play it on the Live service, but you only pay one fee; that being Microsoft's subscription fee.