Seeing all the buzz for The Matrix Resurrections this week has got me feeling all sorts of emotions. The original film holds a special place in my heart. Not only was it the first mature film I saw outside of Disney cartoons and the occasional superhero flick, but it also opened my mind to what cinema could achieve. It's since been one of my favourite films of all time, and while the sequels didn't quite capture that same magic, they were still bursting with expertly crafted action scenes. Out of everything, the one thing that will always reside in my heart is the video games that launched on the original Xbox - both of which I'm convinced are masterpieces.
I was shocked to discover when writing about Enter the Matrix and The Matrix: Path of Neo that both games were met with a mixed response. Looking at each title on Metacritic, Enter The Matrix holds a rating of 65, whilst The Matrix: Path of Neo sits at a slightly higher 73. Neither game is attached to a hugely terrible score, but growing up I always thought they were considered some of the best movie tie-in titles around. My friends and I used to binge both titles repeatedly, and while we weren't the greatest at it back then, the gameplay never ceased to engage us.
Surely my nostalgia for these games isn't blinded that much, is it? We've all had our blind spots, but I couldn't be wrong about TWO separate titles? Having dusted off my old console and popping in the discs again this week, I can confirm I'm not wrong. The action, atmosphere and even the graphics hold up today and nobody can tell me otherwise. Obviously, I'm joking. The enjoyment of a game is subjective, but in my own heart, I truly believe each of these titles is a fantastic action game. Of course, they've aged a bit over the years and aren't quite as polished as you possibly remember, but taking that away, I've had an absolute blast revisit each of these games and bathing in the waves of nostalgia - especially Enter the Matrix.
While it's the one of the two that has a lower consensus, being the avid Matrix fan I am, it gave me everything I wanted and more. Over an hour worth of live-action footage was shot for the game, incorporating the game's protagonists - Ghost and Niobe. Both were introduced in the Matrix Reloaded and I instantly wanted to learn more about both characters. Instead of having to read book after book to get all the lore, I could put myself in their shoes and play out their stories.
It was also my introduction to bullet time in video games. I know, I know, games such as Max Payne did it first, but at the time it was my first interaction with the mechanic and absolutely blew my mind. Witnessing my bullets traverse in slow motion towards my enemies was neverendingly satisfying. Even involving myself in hand-to-hand combat and utilising the concept was something I slowly became addicted to. As my love for the series has grown over the years, Enter the Matrix has become a particular favourite I love revisiting.
But then there's The Matrix: Path of Neo, a perfect way to relive the entire trilogy in the shoes of Neo. It was unfortunately released at the time when the Xbox 360 was making its way into people's homes, and as a result, was brushed under the rug. Picked by The Wachowskis themselves, the game was a string of action sequences from the trilogy, allowing players to experience life as The One and feel the ungodly power he was able to throw down in the films.
It all builds to the final conclusion, where you battle Agent Smith once and for all, and it feels absolutely epic to showcase all the skills you've learned over the course of the game. Mixing in CGI scenes, clips from the movie and some set pieces that could never have made their way to the film, it was a monumental moment after all those hours of blistering my fingers through button mashing. Even today, it still feels like a cinematic treat, while also embracing the silliness of the series. I mean, it ends with Queen's classic hit We Are The Champions blasting as the survivors of Zion celebrate their victory. Amazing.
Maybe after all this time, I am blinded by nostalgia, but after rewatching The Matrix Resurrections trailer more times than I like to admit, I don't care. I love them both a ridiculous amount and will defend them until the end of time. They're unashamedly fun and know exactly what they want to be. In an era that was swimming in movie tie-ins, Enter the Matrix and Path of Neo are diamonds in the rough. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to spend the weekend playing through these masterpieces while also rewatching the trailer over and over.
Now can we make them backwards compatible on Xbox? Thanks!
Are you a fan of The Matrix games on the original Xbox? Let us know in the comments below.
Comments 29
A new matrix game done in the vain of Max Payne, that's what I would like to see
Big fan of Enter the Matrix, excellent game 👍
This may be down to the fact that games don't have to be masterpieces to be enjoyable.
Also, reviews scores are mostly BS anyway. If for nothing else other than they are "just the reviewer's opinion".
@SplooshDmg That...that is perfect =D
As much as I hate Videogames adaptations of movies, I must say that to me “Enter the matrix” was always the exception. Maybe because is not as much as a movie adaptation, and more like a movie continuation. I know is glitchy, And the live action scenes reeks of B movie. But I just love the game.
max payne was better xD
I still replay Path of Neo every few years. Enter the Matrix not so much but both deserve more credit in hindsight than they get. Nothing beats chip style Wachowskis at the end of Path of Neo "it's martyr time".
Wasn't the ending to Path Of Neo meant to be a big joke? It's basically the Wachowskis sticking their fingers up to fans who didn't like the original ending. Not that Revolutions ended well, of course, but it's still clearly better than the stupid, happy ending in PON. I mean, a giant Mecha-Smith, and We Are The Champions? Come on.
@SplooshDmg same here! Punisher deserves another game. With Iron Side voicing him. I dare to dream!
Enter the Matrix is still one of my all time favorite PS2 experiences, that I own on disc, despite not having a PS2. Lol.
I will agree with one massive exception on The Path of Neo, the final fight of that game was absolutely atrocious. When they literally told the player they were going to give you a massive end battle instead of Neo vs Smith (the way he should be), it completely took me out of the game.
@SplooshDmg @Richnj Reviews, and thus their scores, are always subjective. Just because a game scores a 6 or 7 doesn't mean you can't have fun with it. I've played plenty of games I've enjoyed very much, but, if I had to, couldn't give them more than a 6. Ultimately, it's the review itself which counts, and the score at the end is just an arbitrary number which should reflect what's been said. People debate tirelessly about review scores, but very rarely debate the actual reviews themselves.
Had the demo for path of neo on my PS2 played that level alot
Loved Enter The Matrix, had it on GameCube back in the day. Really wish I could buy on Series X now.
Gonna have to be Open World to work.
And I agree! Loved those games, played them so many times! I wish they could remaster them
A 73 for Path of Neo seems entirely accurate. Enter the Matrix should be in the 70s as well. Both good movie tie-in games. I’d be down for a new one for sure.
@TimG13 Well of course not. 5 and 6 are still solidly in the "good" area.
People get review scores and school scores confused thinking anything less then an 8/80 is unplayable when in actuality an 8/80 indicates it is a fantastic game.
Enter The Matrix being honest is pretty trash, we accepted it back then as its all we had but it was never good. Path of Neo though was fantastic and i really wish it was on One/Series.
@WallyWest So many cool things in path of Neo. I loved how the tutorial gun level was a recreation of the tea house shootout from Hard Boiled. A game that knew where the film's took their inspiration from.
I’m not sure I played Path of Neo but at the time I thought Enter the Matrix was brilliant and I’d love to have a play again.
@pip_muzz Yeah its a game with a great attention to detail and you can tell the Devs loved the films and the stuff what inspired the films. It will never happen but i would love a ground up remake, you can tell the PS2/Xbox was limiting what could be done like the Burly Brawl so i would love the chance to play the game where there is no limits.
@InterceptorAlpha Yes, that was my point. If a game scores 50%, it suggests to me the game is straight-up average, and anything above is still "good" as such, subjectively speaking of course. Take those scores away, though, and people will only have the actual analysis to debate, which is how it should be.
Funny thing, I remember the marketing blitz everywhere, and loved the first film, but the sequels ruined the franchise for me and I never played the games. I figure cyberpunk is close enough if it ever releases...
I know it will never happen but I'd love to see a LEGO Matrix series.
@InterceptorAlpha @TimG13 In theory, yeah. The issue is that in practice, 5/10 tends to be the lower end of the scale. Not many games get reviewed below a 5. They have to be awful to go that low.
In fact, a game can be absolutely broken at launch (or even for years later coughmcccough) and still average around a 7 or 8. Take Colonial marines for instance. A game that everyone seems to agree is just bad, has an average of 48/100 on Metacritic. Its just below a "good" rating, and one reviewer saw fit to give it a 9/10.
And when most games fall between 5 and 10, the review systems get treated as if 5 is 0 and 10 is 10. Leaving 7-8 at about average. Which is more or less how people see it.
I still have my copy of Path of Neo on Xbox, and I've never been able to use it. Not compatible with Xbox 360, nor Xbox One or Series.
That's a game I'd like to be added to the retro compatibility list !
I never actually played either of these games despite being a fan of the original movie, at the time I just expected movie tie in games to be bad games. Although my mind was changed between these two games by Escape From Butcher Bay, which to this day is still my favourite movie tie in game, followed by Dark Athena. Now these are games I would love to see remade, or a new game to tie in with the release of Furya when it comes out.
I REALLY loved Enter the Matrix back in the day, and I rented (remember that?) and enjoyed Path of Neo. I haven't played them since their day, and I'm sure they're much rougher that my memories, but I loved the cinematic stylings and how they were made to tie directly into the movies.
It was more than your usual tie-in game as it had a lot of studio backing as well as voice work and all those original live action sequences. It was ambitious, and missed the mark according to critics, but they put the effort into what was usually a cash grab palmed off to some jobber developer to slap a license on a generic formula. A genuine "tie-in game".
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