5/17/2003

The story is by far the very best thing about this game. In fact, its the ONLY reason I bought the game! If you really want to get the full value of it, you have to think of it not so much as a computer simulation, but rather an interactive movie! After all, there is at least an hour of additional footage throughout the plot. Thats a whole other movie! And since Im a matrix fanatic, this was the deciding factor.

I had seen screenshots, and I have was a little skeptical. I got the game into my system, and I was downright disapointed. No matter how much I tweaked the graphics options, I couldnt get the same non-fractured, high-polied, anti-aliased texture MIP mapping that the screenies had. Still, it somehow grew on me, and I can say that Im more than satisfied now. Its probably just my system and its inadequacies anyway.

The music is great...straight from the soundtrack, and I cant tell you how many times Ive wanted to have a soundtrack to my life. Being able to immerse yourself into the Matrix environment is really a tough feat, but the music here really adds to ambience and the changing tracks almost always match the fighting sequences you get into. A great aspect of the game, for sure.

It takes a bit of getting used to, seeing as it is more cinematic than would be MAX PAYNE or something simlar to it, and its DEFINATELY fast paced without the 'focus' ability turned on, but when you DO get it right, and when you execute a deft series of sharp kicks and punches, combined with stunning dives, rolls, wall-walking, bullet-dodging, and the interactive environments breaking and glass shattering around you, well - there is no other game that I have been so addicted to its gameplay. But like I said - it may be an acquired taste.