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Following the close of the third Matrix film, a truce
now exists between the machines and the citizens of Zion.
True to the conditions the machines allow the humans to awaken
others. But where is Neo's body and why do the machines not
return it...
Matrix
Online is one of those things, which normally I wouldn't
touch with a barge poll. If I can't kill something in the
first five minutes, then I start loosing the will to live.
Add to that my experience of online games as one where the
more experienced gamers take great delight in killing you
as soon as possible, this then was going to be a hard sell.
As
the name suggests, Matrix is purely an online game
that requires the payment of a subscription to play. There
is unfortunately no single player game, which might help to
decide whether or not you want shell out your hard earned
cash on a monthly basis.
Setting
up your character is a fairly long process, but this turns
out to be an advantage, as it allows you to control many aspects
of your character's personality and abilities. You also can
choose which faction to join; you can work for the humans,
machines or the exiles. Once you have worked through all the
different parameters of the set-up you are ready for the tutorial,
here it's worth taking your time to familiarise yourself with
combat and movement within the matrix, here you can explore
and practice.
The
initial user interface can be a bit daunting at first but
as you get used to your most commonly used weapons, tools
and actions these can be placed in a special hot bar for quick
and easy access. Once you're settled into using the interface
your ready to take on a mission. Missions come in two types
- Critical and general - the general missions will be your
bread and butter in the game, as the critical missions forward
the Meta story and so will be rarer beasts. Of course, with
the open ended nature of the program there is nothing stopping
you going off and killing a major character, though the chances
of success are limited, if you succeed then that becomes part
of the overall Meta story, so in a real sense it's possible
to influence the direction of the Meta story, and these changes
will be incorporated into any further Matrix products.
An
online game wouldn't be worth its salt, these days without
the ability to band together with other real players, so of
course Matrix has the ability to create factions and
crews, so that players can work together to fulfil a mission
or increase their own abilities or just to divvy up any loot
that you may have acquired. One little thing I did like was
the incorporation of AOL's AIM program allowing you to PM
people who are not even jacked into the game, thereby allowing
you to keep up with your online social life while you play
till the wee small hours of the morning.
The playing zone is huge, with many specialist areas, one
of which is the Archive. It is not allowed within the game
for Red pills to attack each other, except after a formal
challenge, so the best place to discover ancient secrets about
the Matrix and to battle people of the same organisation is
in the Archive.
I
have to admit that I did enjoy Matrix Online; the world
that has been created is huge and engrossing. The continuing
Meta story, keeps the interest going throughout the experience.
The combat mode also seems fairer than a lot of other games
giving you the feeling that you really have kicked arse because
you are a better fighter than your opponent. It's just a shame
there isn't a single player mode which would allow you to
practice as well as giving you the chance to see if you want
to shell out your hard earned cash.
If online games are your bag then I don't think that the Matrix
is going to disappoint you.
Charles Packer
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£17.99
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£26.99
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£26.99
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