The Matrix: Path of Neo (Xbox)

But it all falls down with the actual gameplay. Appalling framerate, even worse controls and boringly repetition dog this game from start to finish. Certainly, it (kind of) follows the path of all three films, and there are geuninely cool moments (such as fighting multiple Agent Smiths, or sparring with Morpheus in the dojo), but then again some of the setpieces just fall flat (see, for instance, the lobby shooting scene - this should really be one of the best bits, but is unforutnately one of the places where all the game's flaws really come to the fore). And the fights do have the tendency to get boring after a while - just the same combination of random button presses until you get a result (reminiscent, dare I say it, of the atrocious fighting system of Star Wars Episode 3). Plus, the overall control system is just a nightmare - it is almsot impossible to run, shoot and pull off focus moves all at the same time, because it's just too fiddly, and the targeting system gets grumpy whenever you try and change enemies or whenever you kill someone with a gun - in fact, despite the dodgy fighting controls, I much prefer the kung fu moves to the gunplay, simply becasue it's so much easier to control. Couple this with one of those cameras that lets walls and otehr bits of scenary get in the way of the action, and you have an experience that is just as bit better than having your teeth pulled. In the films, artistic use of the guns provide a component and characteristic piece of the action. In the game, using guns just feels heavy, laboured and porrly thought out, as does almost every other part of the control system and gameplay.

Path of Neo stinks of rushedly being put together to fill the vacuum created by the end of the trilogyzx, depserately pinning ts hopes on Matrix die-hards who wouldn't dream of not buying this. But really, for a console that should be at the pinnacle of its technological ability (Half Life 2, anyone?), it is more of an attempt at an early Xbox game, and even back then wouldn't have impressed. My recommendation? Rent first, and then, if you really like it, or are a serious fan, go and buy it. But try before you do, otherwise you might get a nasty surprise. This should be so much better, and feel so much better (rather than constantly reminding you you're in a half-rate video game, it should totally immerse you in world of The Matrix). And I'm not prejudiced either - I really enjoyed all three of the films and might even be so bold as to claim that I understand much of what the Wachowski brothers were trying to do and say.