Deep within “The Matrix: Path of Neo” is a glimmering idea of a video game. Unfortunately, this idea is marred by a bad first impression, weak camera control and its ambitious but glitchy graphics engine. But if gamers can look past its faults, “Path of Neo” offers worthwhile cinematic combat that features some of the movie series’ greatest fight scenes.
“Path of Neo” is worlds better than 2003’s “Enter the Matrix,” which was more of a slick marketing scheme than a game. In “Enter the Matrix,” players assume the roles of Niobe and Ghost, two uninteresting bit characters from the two equally uninteresting Matrix sequels. The game is boring, repetitive and unplayable fluff.
This time around, Shiny, the game’s developer, gives players control of Neo and all his kung-fu-knowing glory. Players who take the red pill will fight Neo through parts of all three movies. The game does a good job following its source, but understandably its designers added a few scenes and plot elements to extend the game time. The Wachowski brothers have also wrote a new ending for the game. Yet “Path of Neo” works as a horrible replacement for the movies – between levels, the game shows a mish-mash of clips from the movies that barely serve as a refresher for fans.
But the game isn’t about plot – it’s about kicking ass. And players will kick plenty of ass after they play through the game’s tedious tutorial missions. By the time players get to Neo and Morpheus’ classic dojo fight scene, they’ll be itching for something new. And the game picks up from there.
The game’s simplistic fighting system is where “Path of Neo” truly shines. Using only two attack buttons and a few modifiers (like bullet time), players can pull off some pretty sweet martial arts combinations. As the game progresses, Neo finds himself learning all sorts of new moves and abilities that keep the game feeling fresh. But players will never get too burdened with moves, and the game even offers help in the form of on-screen indicators. The game’s animation is spot-on and the fighting is packed full of familiar moves from the movies.
Players can also use a wide array of weapons, including samurai swords, submachine guns and shotguns. The camera has a glitchy auto-lock function when shooting that players will often find locking onto corpses instead of the nearby enemies who are firing at them. Like many other third person action games, “Path of Neo” has camera problems.
The fighting is fast and furious, and at times too much so. When facing many enemies, the game’s fight scenes can feel frustratingly chaotic. The game’s graphics also start to bog down when the screen gets too full of enemies. From a distance, the game’s graphics are passable, but when the camera gets too close, players will see the models are muddled and ugly.
“The Matrix: Path of Neo” is worth a rental, especially for fans of the series. It’s what “Enter the Matrix” should have been. I have no doubt that we will see another Matrix game on the next-gen consoles. If “Path of Neo” is any indication of what is to come, there is a lot to look forward to.
