Back when we were still partying like it was 1999 and The Matrix was the biggest surprise motion picture hit of the year, Laurence Fishburne, as Morpheus in the film, promised to show Keanu Reeves' Neo, and us, "how deep the rabbit-hole goes." Now, with two new feature films, a DVD of animated shorts and this multi-platform video game, the creative forces behind The Matrix have delivered on that promise. The game itself is something that many Matrix fans have been waiting for since seeing the first film and now that the title has been released, it has broken sales records across the globe. Now gamers have time to ponder the all-important question: beyond all the hype, can this game really deliver the goods? The answer is a very big yes.

The story of Enter the Matrix begins in the netherworld between the first and second films, connecting with the plot of the Animatrix shorts. Captain Niobe (Jada Pinket Smith of the second and third films, who endured hours of motion-capture work and dialog work for the game) of the hovercraft Logos, and her trusty partner Ghost are called upon to jack into the Matrix in order to obtain some important information. Another hovercraft crew left a package for them, just before their ship met with a gruesome end. As Niobe or Ghost, the player goes about searching the post office to find that message, without letting the cops get in the way. After this level, which provides ample opportunity for the player to get to know the controls, moves and techniques involved in evading or doing away with the enemy, the story gets more complicated and takes the player on a journey that overlaps the plot of the second Matrix film and leads into the third.

The rest of the game unfolds differently dependent upon which character is played. Many of the levels are the same, but a few are different for Niobe than for Ghost and vice versa. This adds another layer to the game, not only because it makes repeated play necessary and worthwhile, but also because it provides the player with glimpses of varied cut scenes.

The cut scenes are a mixture of live footage filmed especially for the game and also some using the in-game graphics. These are spread liberally throughout the entire game and serve the two-fold purpose of furthering gameplay and deepening insight into the greater plot of the Matrix series; they are most certainly not to be skipped over. Choosing two supporting characters as the protagonists for the title, instead of the leads, was a brilliant choice on the part of the developers. This allows them the freedom to tell a separate story that in no way contradicts the film, or forces the player to rehash it as in many film adaptations. The use of Ghost and Niobe, both of whom can dish out a whopping as good as anyone else, gives the game it's own path to follow and deepens the mystique of the greater story.

The gameplay consists of third person action levels, as well as driving - which can be done in third or first person - and piloting the Logos hovercraft. The controls take a little while to get used to, but the process is sped up by the tips list, which is updated frequently throughout the game. The player navigates through the levels with the assistance of Sparks, the operator on Logos, who sends messages that tell the player where to go or what to do. An arrow is also often employed to give directions on the missions, during which the player must perform a variety of tasks. The arrow and the messages are just helpful enough to point the player in the right direction, while allowing players to think for themselves and discover things on their own.

Though the missions are exciting, most of the mission objectives are pretty simple, and merely serve as an excuse to run around and kill a lot of people in an incredibly diverse number of ways. There is basic hand-to-hand combat involved and a variety of weapons that can be found, or taken from enemies and used against them. In addition, the player can make use of Focus, the Matrix equivalent to the now-famous 'Bullet Time' used in games like Max Payne (which, interestingly enough, was inspired by The Matrix). The player can use Focus to slow down time and pull off some impressive feats by using the left trigger on the Xbox controller such as running up walls and firing shots while sailing through the air. This Focus, when used judiciously, can make all the difference when fighting against the really tough bad guys such as the agents, who cannot be defeated. Besides, it looks really cool.

In fact, everything in this game looks cool. The graphics, which really show the potential of the Xbox console, are fantastic. The characters and their movements were modelled on the motion capture work that the actors did with Yuen Wo Ping's kung fu and wire teams. Not only do they look great, they also move fluidly and realistically. The environments are also complex and great to look at (if you have time to stop and check the scenery out, that is) and make it clear to the player just why it took so long to produce this title.

The fabulous graphics are complemented by the sound quality both in the game and in the cut scenes. The combat sounds and gunshots, combined with the dialog and music, really make the gameplay a cinematic experience that is entertaining and exciting. The gun battles and freeway chases have movie-quality sound and are worth turning the volume up for, while the cut scenes offer performances of the same quality as the films. Since the dialog is voiced by the actors from the film, there is a direct continuity that's often lacking in games where characters are voiced by other actors, such as in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Indiana Jones.

All in all, Enter the Matrix is a fantastic experience, especially for the less advanced gamer, because it is relatively easy to play. Granted, there are difficult patches, but nothing that would prompt a reasonable person to give into frustration and take their Xbox into the bathtub with them. The character's health and focus meters automatically recharge if given time and the frequent save points (almost too frequent) guarantee that it won't be necessary to repeat whole levels every time something goes wrong. There are also challenges for the more able gamer, who can experiment with fighting techniques, as well as the use of stealth. Repeat players are given the opportunity to follow slightly alternative paths through the game, as there are multiple possibilities, making this a must-have for die-hard Matrix fans.

That being said, the accessibility that the title offers to less experienced gamers is not there for individuals with less understanding of The Matrix itself. Sure, someone who hasn't seen the films could play the game, but they would not be equipped to follow the story. The cut scenes and plot development would likely be lost on anyone who hasn't followed the saga in great detail, including the Animatrix shorts. Still, judging by the box office take of The Matrix Reloaded, there are not many people out there for whom this would be a problem.

Enter the Matrix is definitely worth picking up. The graphics and sound really show just what your Xbox is capable of and the simple but fun action keeps you busy for hours on end. Sure, there's been a lot of backlash about the sequels and the tie-ins and the producers of The Matrix have been accused of getting greedy, but don't believe all that rubbish. The Matrix Revolutions manages to be even more mind-blowing than the first film and this groundbreaking game ties-in perfectly to the film and is one title you really have to check out for yourself.

Reviewed by AceGamez (All Rights Reserved).