The Matrix: Path of Neo

The Matrix: Path of Neo is an action-adventure video game, the third spin-off from the Matrix series and the second developed by Shiny Entertainment. The game was written and directed by The Wachowskis, who wrote and directed the three The Matrix films. Players control the character Neo, participating in scenes from the films.

The Matrix: Path of Neo
North American cover
Developer(s)Shiny Entertainment
Publisher(s)Atari, Inc.
Director(s)The Wachowskis
Composer(s)Tobias Enhus
Ben Watkins
SeriesThe Matrix
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, Xbox
ReleasePlayStation 2, Xbox
  • NA: November 7, 2005
  • EU: November 11, 2005
Microsoft Windows
  • NA: November 7, 2005
  • EU: November 25, 2005
Genre(s)Action-adventure
Mode(s)Single-player

In Shiny Entertainment's first licensed Matrix game, Enter the Matrix, only sideline characters were playable. It did not feature the series' protagonist Neo, and due to its nature as an extension of the films' storyline, had few recreations of scenes in the film trilogy.

Overview

The Matrix: Path of Neo allows the player to participate in many of the major action scenes in the films. Most of these sequences, picked by the movie directors themselves, are taken from the first film in the series.[1][2]

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 with Agent 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, and escrimas) and firearms (assault rifle, submachine gun, pistol etc.).

The game also allows the player to meet many of the characters in the films, including Trinity, Morpheus and the Merovingian, amongst others.

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

Reception

The Matrix: Path of Neo received "mixed or average reviews" on all platforms according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.[6][7][8] In Japan, Famitsu gave the PlayStation 2 version a score of one seven, two sixes, and one seven, for a total of 26 out of 40.[12]

CiN Weekly gave it a score of 81 out of 100 and called it "An interesting re-imagining of the Matrix story in the form of an action game with OK controls and annoying camera."[27] The New York Times gave 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 the Matrix franchise after all, as this game proves."[29] 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."[28]

References
  1. "The Matrix: Path of Neo". IGN. Retrieved 2007-04-14.
  2. Perry, David (2005-05-09). "The Matrix: Path of Neo". David Perry (game developer). Retrieved 2007-04-14.
  3. "The Matrix: Path of Neo for PC". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2018-06-23.
  4. "The Matrix: Path of Neo for PlayStation 2". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2018-06-23.
  5. "The Matrix: Path of Neo for Xbox". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2018-06-23.
  6. "The Matrix: Path of Neo for PC Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2012-12-18.
  7. "The Matrix: Path of Neo for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2012-12-18.
  8. "The Matrix: Path of Neo for Xbox Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2012-12-18.
  9. Edge staff (December 25, 2005). "The Matrix: Path of Neo (PS2)". Edge. No. 157. p. 110.
  10. "The Matrix: Path of Neo". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 199. January 2006.
  11. Bramwell, Tom (2005-11-12). "The Matrix: Path of Neo Review (PS2)". Eurogamer. Retrieved 2014-02-10.
  12. "Latest Famitsu Scores 14/12/05". GreenHillZone.uk. 2005-12-15. Retrieved 2016-04-16.
  13. Miller, Matt (December 2005). "The Matrix: Path of Neo". Game Informer. No. 152. p. 161. Archived from the original on 2009-05-01. Retrieved 2014-02-10.
  14. Ouroboros (2005-11-07). "The Matrix: Path of Neo". GamePro. Archived from the original on 2005-11-25. Retrieved 2014-02-10.
  15. Navarro, Alex (2005-11-10). "The Matrix: Path of Neo Review (PC)". GameSpot. Retrieved 2014-02-10.
  16. Navarro, Alex (2005-11-09). "The Matrix: Path of Neo Review". GameSpot. Retrieved 2014-02-09.
  17. McGarvey, Sterling (2005-11-11). "GameSpy: The Matrix: Path of Neo (PS2)". GameSpy. Retrieved 2014-02-10.
  18. McGarvey, Sterling (2005-11-11). "GameSpy: The Matrix: Path of Neo (Xbox)". GameSpy. Retrieved 2014-02-10.
  19. Knutson, Michael (2005-12-08). "The Matrix: Path of Neo - PC - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on 2009-02-02. Retrieved 2014-02-10.
  20. Boker, Gabe (2005-12-04). "The Matrix: Path of Neo - PS2 - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on 2008-10-05. Retrieved 2014-02-10.
  21. Bedigian, Louis (2005-11-27). "The Matrix: Path of Neo - XB - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on 2008-10-06. Retrieved 2014-02-10.
  22. Dunham, Jeremy (2005-11-17). "The Matrix: Path of Neo (PC)". IGN. Retrieved 2014-02-09.
  23. Dunham, Jeremy (2005-11-09). "The Matrix: Path of Neo". IGN. Retrieved 2014-02-09.
  24. OPM Staff (January 2006). "The Matrix: Path of Neo". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. Archived from the original on 2016-06-16. Retrieved 2014-02-10.
  25. "The Matrix: Path of Neo". Official Xbox Magazine. January 2006. p. 68.
  26. "The Matrix: Path of Neo". PC Gamer. February 2006. p. 35.
  27. Hruschak, PJ (2005-12-07). "The Matrix: Path of Neo". CiN Weekly. Archived from the original on 2006-03-08. Retrieved 2014-02-10.
  28. Molina, Brett (2005-12-16). "All it takes to be 'The One' is mindless button mashing". USA Today. Retrieved 2014-02-10.
  29. Herold, Charles (2005-12-10). "Chasing a Girl on Kong's Island, and Other Pursuits". The New York Times. Retrieved 2014-02-10.
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