PC Software: Enter The Matrix
- — 09 May, 2003 07:29
One of the most influential films of the last decade or so is finally heading to the world of interactive entertainment. Even better, the first Matrix game will not be based on the well-known original movie, but will be released at the same time as the much-awaited cinematic sequel The Matrix Reloaded.
This is exciting indeed, as the game will feature a lot of material from the movie while telling its own unique story and developing narrative threads for the main characters which are only touched on in the film.
It is the intention of the game’s producer, Dave Perry, to give the game its own place in the narrative territory of The Matrix Reloaded.
When interviewed, Perry commented, “We are keen on making the game more than just a ‘game of the movie’ experience. Instead you will find out more about the characters in a way which better explains what is happening on screen during the film.” That way, people who have played the game will get that little extra bit of information and be able to feel like they have the inside running on what is happening in the story development.
The game will feature three new main characters — Ghost, Niobe and Sparks. You don’t get to control lead character Neo, but in the film some pretty awful stuff happens to him, so perhaps you wouldn’t want to. The Afro-American martial arts stylings of Niobe were impressive in the code we got to play with. She had amazing skills which, we have been assured by Perry, will be developed over time.
As most of the action in the game play takes place within the virtual reality realm of The Matrix itself, there is lots of reality bending included in the game. You can run up walls, leap over enemies and perform brilliant disarming moves where you run at an enemy very quickly, steal their weapon and then use it against them. The 360º slow motion panning style — which we have come to enjoy in games like Max Payne — is used often in the game (see here for a screenshot).
If you are after stylistic cues from the first film, Dave Perry makes it pretty clear where a lot of his inspiration comes from. “For me the game is very much influenced by the lobby scene in the original movie, where Trinity and Neo go nuts and take on a whole army single handed.”
Furthermore, the game will feature driving sections, where you are rushing at breakneck speed for your ‘hard line’ to get out of The Matrix. There will also be hacking and air combat elements.
Enter the Matrix is set to be one of the slickest and most exciting 3D action games this year, and the arrival of the film just adds fuel to the fire. Indeed, Andy and Larry Wachowski, the directing duo behind the Matrix series, have had a hand in penning the game script — so expect an intriguing storyline. Both the game and the film will be heading your way in May.
Publisher: Infogrames
Developer: Shiny Entertainment
URL: www.infogrames.com
