Graphics 6/10

The graphics of Path of Neo are disappointing to say the least. When I first booted the game up, in the first level, the game froze. I waited about 30 seconds before it unfroze only to have it freeze again. When gameplay begins, the game’s pace quickly recuperates, but sadly, the environments are ugly and uninspired. The textures are horrible and the levels are redundant and rarely do they feel different. Character models, at least up close, are better and do provide some character to the Matrix universe. Once in action, the game quickly begins to stutter, thanks to an always-present and slow frame rate. Even simple techniques like running are an effort thanks to a slow frame rate. Also, there is clipping galore in the already messy levels, making the game look incomplete. Fortunately, Neo’s over-the-top bullet-time moves do look good cinematically and are some of the only times when the frame rate is smooth. The bullet shotlines are great and Focus itself is done rather well. The live-action clips are entertaining, look great, and are arranged in effective ways to keep the storyline fluid. Overall, the graphics of Path of Neo are chuggy and ugly, which really isn’t acceptable for such a cinematic and good-looking universe that is the Matrix.

Audio 7/10

Original voice actors? Well, Lawrence Fishburne is present, but the rest is sadly not accounted for. Fortunately, the voice actors filling in do an okay job of portraying their big-screen counterparts. Music, on the other hand, doesn’t have the cinematic quality the movie has. Honestly, I could never hear it half the time. The sound effects are actually spot-on, thanks to the bullet-time effects and impact sounds. Audio is very so-so, but does a decent job of creating a Matrix game environment.

Gameplay 7/10

The gameplay of Path of Neo is beat-em-up, through and through. Controls are actually a bit odd at first: left analog stick to move, right analog stick for camera, X for jump, triangle to attack, circle to throw, and square to use evasive action. Why attacks weren’t mapped to the square button is a mystery, especially since many other beat-em-ups use that system of combat. The evasive techniques can be controlled direction-wise with the left analog stick, but in the basic fights, are pretty useless. Focus is used with the L1 button, an appropriate assignment. Shooting controls are pretty well done: R2 to lock-on and aim, R1 to shoot. This does require using two different fingers to control it, but is functional and does shooting well, especially when combined with Focus. Some of Neo’s combos do present some contact-sensitive actions when fighting, involving quick button taps or analog swings. The controls could’ve been tighter, but after some practice, end up working well.

The combos in Path of Neo can be linked using differently-time button presses and analog tilts. Also, the fight techniques can be altered using Focus. You can attack, throw, disarm, among other techniques to take down the many minions that Neo must fight. Sadly, though, the game has a horrible frame rate, leaving Neo’s moves look chuggy and sluggish. Gameplay stutters constantly. The combat itself, however, is deep and engaging. The many moves do provide some variety, but the game still feels slow.

The story is basically Neo’s trek through the Matrix. If you’ve seen the movies, many of the live-action sequences will seem familiar, but if you’re new to the Matrix, they fill you in on some important plot points in Neo’s excursion. The overall story is as entertaining as the Matrix movies are, so the plot remains a good one.

The combat controls are okay, but at its core, you’re just beating up random thugs and the occasional Agent. Fortunately, Neo’s many techniques do make this endeavor an entertaining one. The many minions do come in a variety of forms, some more challenging than others. The Agents do provide some intense challenge, but after a while of beating up thugs, the repetition sinks in. Also, the moves Neo has are cool, but you can get by using the same techniques over and over. This is probably the biggest flaw of the genre in general: repetition. You can try out the other moves, but for the most part, you can get through the game with some simple techniques. While Neo’s moves can be upgraded, the game’s repetition hurts. Overall, the gameplay is good, but suffers from many of the flaws of the beat-em-up in general.

Replay Value 6/10

Do you like the Matrix? Well then, you’ll find a lot of longevity in Matrix: Path of Neo. Anyone else, probably not. The story is rather short and there isn’t much else to convince you to play it again. If you do like the Matrix or beat-em-ups, then the game will have lasting appeal. Anyone else should best rent it.

Final Verdict 7/10

The Matrix: Path of Neo is a step forward from Enter the Matrix, but doesn’t have the cinematic polish that the Matrix is known for. What it does have is a better combat system, more intriguing storyline, and solid gameplay, but the sloppy graphics and technical problems keep it from being perfect. An inconsistent frame rate, clipping, and glitches really show the problems. The game is a mindless beat-em-up, but in the Matrix universe, it does go a bit beyond that. This was very close to being a great Matrix game, but the technical limitations really bring it down to just good. Rental.