The Matrix: Path of Neo

The Matrix: Path of Neois a 2005action-adventurevideo gamedeveloped byShiny Entertainmentand published byAtari.The game was written and co-directed bythe Wachowskis,who wrote and directed the first threeThe Matrixfilmsand the 2003 video gameEnter the Matrix,also developed by Shiny Entertainment. Players control the characterNeo,participating in scenes from the films.

The Matrix: Path of Neo
North American PlayStation 2 cover art
Developer(s)	Shiny Entertainment
Publisher(s)	Atari
Director(s)	The Wachowskis Michael "Saxs" Persson
Producer(s)	Todd Morgan
Designer(s)	Shawn Berryhill
Programmer(s)	Søren Hannibal
Artist(s)	Chandana "Eka" Ekanayake
Writer(s)	The Wachowskis
Composer(s)	Tobias Enhus Machine Head
Series	The Matrix
Platform(s)	Microsoft Windows PlayStation 2 Xbox
Release	PlayStation 2,Xbox NA:November 8, 2005 EU:November 11, 2005 Microsoft Windows NA:November 8, 2005 EU:November 25, 2005
Genre(s)	Action-adventure
Mode(s)	Single-player

The game received mixed reviews from critics.

Overview

The Matrix: Path of Neoallows the player to participate in many of the major action scenes in the films. Most of these sequences, picked by themovie directorsthemselves, are taken from the first film in the series.

At the start of the game, the player is hacker Thomas Anderson, and does not possess any of the powers that the character will later discover as Neo. He has to find his way through by stealth and basic brawl. As the game continues, players learn new skills and techniques, equipping Neo for the final showdown withAgent Smith.These additional skills may be levels and in the main game. Many of these skills are used by Neo in the trilogy, including the bullet dodge, bullet stop, and flight. A number of weapons are available in the game, consisting of both melee weapons (including various types of swords,staves,andescrimas) and firearms (assault rifle, sub-machine gun, pistol etc.).

The game also allows the player to meet many of the characters in the films, includingTrinity,Morpheusand theMerovingian,among others.

The game uses film excerpts as cut scenes throughout the game at certain milestones. This footage includes clips from the originalThe Matrixtheatrical films, and from other sources, including the short film series,The AnimatrixandEnter the Matrix.

The PC & Xbox versions also lack certain visual effects compared to the PS2 version such as the image warping.

Reception

Reception

Aggregate scores

Aggregator	Score
	PC	PS2	Xbox
GameRankings	64%	71%	72%
Metacritic	64/100	69/100	73/100

Review scores

Publication	Score
	PC	PS2	Xbox
Edge	N/A	5/10	N/A
Electronic Gaming Monthly	N/A	6.5/10	6.5/10
Eurogamer	N/A	7/10	N/A
Famitsu	N/A	26/40	N/A
Game Informer	N/A	7.25/10	7.25/10
GamePro	N/A
GameSpot	6.8/10	7.3/10	7.3/10
GameSpy	N/A
GameZone	6.7/10	7.9/10	8/10
IGN	6.5/10	7.8/10	7.8/10
Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine	N/A		N/A
Official Xbox Magazine(US)	N/A	N/A	7/10
PC Gamer(US)	67%	N/A	N/A
CiN Weekly	81/100	81/100	81/100
USA Today

The Matrix: Path of Neoreceived "mixed or average reviews" on all platforms according to video gamereview aggregatorMetacritic.In Japan,Famitsugave the PlayStation 2 version a score of one seven, two sixes, and one seven, for a total of 26 out of 40.

CiN Weeklygave it a score of 81 out of 100 and called it "An interesting re-imagining of theMatrixstory in the form of an action game with OK controls and annoying camera. "The New York Timesgave it a positive review and stated: "After spawning two mediocre sequels, a collection of dull cartoon shorts and a couple of forgettable video games, there is some life left in theMatrixfranchise after all, as this game proves. "USA Today,however, gave it six stars out of ten and stated that the game "underwhelms, failing to convey the spark and visual appeal of the films."

External links

• The Matrix: Path of NeoatMobyGames