I Entered the Matrix… and immediately wanted to leave.

I’ll start by saying there are some things here that could have really worked. The idea of the main characters existing in live action and entering the Matrix, now playable to us, is kind of cool and sort of fits the theme of the film.

Too bad they decided to have some cutscenes in game as well… instantly taking away from the coolest aspect it had going for itself. But that’s not the most frustrating part. The controls, are like muddled garbage.

Stiff, uncomfortable, unnatural. You can hardly move the way you want to. And what’s worse is that there is no aim with your weapons. Not unless you enter their self proclaimed “first person mode”… and good luck with that.

The martial art combat is kind of cool… too bad the character barely goes in the direction you want him to hit. But you know what? It’s still possible to see past that. But It became really bad when there were not one, but TWO helicopter boss battles in the first three missions. And trying to navigate those… no way. Forget it.

I’m all for a challenge. Just not when your challenge is playing an unfinished, sloppily thrown together video game with no real sense of consistency or coherence 👎

Playing it in 2022 it has that trademark Xbox-era "jank" that I have come to see charm in. It's difficult and often frustrating to play, but most segments can be defeated in 2-3 attempts even if they give you trouble. It is passable. The game really shines in how it weaves into the Matrix narrative and actually does original things with the IP. The is the most interesting movie-based games I have ever played. Clearly lots of care and attention went into this game, it is not just a cash grab like so many other such games might be. Worth playing for any Matrix fan no question.

Bardzo niewykorzystany potencjał, gdyby wydawca dał temu studiu rok więcej to pewnie byłby to dobrze wspominany do dzisiaj klasyk. A tak, to jest tym chyba wyłącznie dla mnie.

Plusy i minusy:
+ fabuła która uzupełnia film, nie jest wcale zrobiona na siłę ale jest przemyślaną kampanią zatwierdzoną przez twórców ze specjalnie nagranymi dla niej nowymi filmikami z aktorami
+ pięknie oddana stylówa Matrixa, ciosy nadal wyglądają "czadersko" i dobrze wykorzystane dają banana na twarzy
+ możliwości postaci, unikanie kul, przewroty, rzuty itd sprawiają frajdę...
- ...gdy tylko pokonamy okropne sterowanie i pracę kamery
+ niektóre fragmenty tak głupie, że aż uroczo śmieszne (np. walka z wampirami)
- okropne sekcje ucieczki, chyba najgorszy model jazdy jaki kiedykolwiek spotkałem
- słabe celowanie i strzelanie
- puste, brzydkie lokacje

Cheat mode
Enter the Hacking engine in the game. Enter "CHEAT.EXE" and the cheat menu will be unlocked. Enter one of the following codes to activate the corresponding effect:

Infinite health
Enter "7F4DF451" as a code.

Infinite focus
Enter "69E5D9E4" as a code.

Maximum firepower
Enter "0034AFFF" as a code.

Infinite ammunition
Enter "1DDF2556" as a code.

Fast focus restore
Enter "FFF0020A" as a code.

Bonus test level
Enter "13D2C77F" as a code.

Sparks' Construct in training mode
Enter "13D2C77F" or "1302C77F" as a code.

Enemies cannot hear you
Enter "4516DF45" as a code.

Enemies cannot see you

Enter "FFFFFFF1" as a code.

Taxi Driving
Enter "312MF451" as a code.

Multi-player fighting
Enter "D5C55D1E" as a code.

Faster logos
Enter "7867F443" as a code.

Hacking engine tools
In Hacking engine (which is accessed from the title screen), there are a number of directories and tools that can be useful (such as spawning a weapon within The Matrix.):

Command Directory Result
CLS A:\SYSTEM Clear the screen of text
DIR [location] A:\SYSTEM List files and folders
ECHO [text] A:\SYSTEM Display indicated text
EXIT A:\SYSTEM Exit Hacking engine
HELP [command] A:\SYSTEM Extended help for a command
LOGIN A:\SYSTEM Change drives
READ A:\SYSTEM Read .txt files
REBOOT A:\SYSTEM Reboot system, remove unlocked commands
CHEAT [code] A:\TOOLS Cheat code entry command
VIBRATION [1-100] A:\TOOLS Test vibration feature
BEEP [1-8] A:\TOOLS Test beeps
DECODE [code] B:\TOOLS Decode hint
DROP JXTRR10 B:\TOOLS Weapon drop at Drainage Canal
DROP PNSRZ10 B:\TOOLS Weapon drop at North Concourse
DROP RKHMS10 B:\TOOLS Weapon drop at Airport Tunneld
DROP JDZMT10 B:\TOOLS Weapon drop at 2nd Floor West (Chateau)
DROP ZKHBD10 B:\TOOLS Weapon drop at Courtyard (Chateau)
DROP RHFTQ10 B:\TOOLS Weapon drop at Skyscraper
DROP ZSZQH10 B:\TOOLS Weapon drop at Warehouse (Chinatown)
DROP JDHQL10 B:\TOOLS Weapon drop at Transformer Field (power plant)
DROP B1AXXF2 B:\TOOLS Weapon drop at 2nd Floor PO Boxes
PLAY B:\TOOLS Play .fmv files
TRACEKILL B:\TOOLS Kills traces
VIEW B:\TOOLS View *.img files
VIRTUAL B:\TOOLS Access virtual drive

Morpheus message
In the Hacking engine, instead of using "GUEST", you can LOGIN as "FREEMIND" or "COWBOYCURTIS" to hear a message from Morpheus.

Wireless message
Enter the following commands:

DIR LOGOS:
DIR V:
DIR RAM:
Passcode 8ram
3 digit code 942
DIAL.EXE
Passcode THISISNOTREAL
Passcode FROZENFISH
Swordfight
To unlock the swordfight, follow these steps. Open the Hacking program from the main menu. Open a file that has the game completed. Note: You must have completed the game first in order for this cheat to work; and the game file you select at the Hacking menu must have the game completed. Type "LOGIN" and press Enter. Type "GUEST" and press Enter. Type "DIR", then a space. DIR should now appear in your command list. Access the B Drive through the DIR command. Select TOOLS from the B Drive. It will be locked and will ask you for an access code. The access code consists of 1s and 0s. You must guess the access code, as it is different each time. It is only five digits long. Once you have access to the TOOLS on the B Drive, type all the .EXE files (without the .EXE after them). For example, type "DECODE" then a space. DECODE will now appear in the command list. Repeat this for all other .EXE files in the TOOLS folder in the B Drive. Now, access VIRTUAL on your command list. Type in "FROZENFISH" as the password. An authentication test will start. An image of a Chinese symbol will appear, but it will be scrambled. The image is broken into 9 squares, and each square will have five different choices. You must change all the pieces so that a complete image appears. You have a limited amount of time to do this. Note: Click here to view both the red and blue Chinese character puzzle solutions. Once you guess a correct image, the timer will stop and you will be taken back to the hacking screen. Look at the top of the screen. If it says "Solution: Blue", then the line will be traced and you will have to enter "TRACEKILL" and then press enter as fast as possible or all progress will be lost. Once you enter TRACEKILL, you will have to start back at accessing VIRTUAL on your command list. However, if it says "Solution: Red", then you will hear a message from Neo and get access to the V Drive. Open the V Drive and get all the commands from the TOOLS folder on your command list. Open the ROOTSEARCH program. Now, open the ROOT folder in the B Drive and get the two commands there on your command list. Enter the MAIL command and type "THISISNOTREAL" as the password and type "YES". You will get a list of phone numbers:

001-949-555-0112
001-714-555-0187
001-213-555-0142
001-310-555-0111
001-949-555-0101

Select the DIAL command and dial 001-949-555-0101. You should get a message from Persephone. Next dial 001-310-555-0111. You will get you a message from Trinity. She will give you a number. Select PORTKEY and enter the number. She will start to talk to you. Type "NO" to both questions and she will give you a program called CRACK on your command list. Open it, then type "8RAM". It should look like this: "CRACK 8RAM". You now have access to the RAM drive. Go to DIR on your command list and access the RAM drive. A list of folder names will appear. Open the TRINITY folder. Get the Training command on your DIR by typing "TRAINING" then a space. Go to your command list and select TRAINING. On you command list, a file called SWORD.DSK will come up. Select it. It has now uploaded the sword onto you character in the Matrix. Quit the hacking program and select "Save Progress". You can use the sword when you start that game file. It can be used in any stage, but will only appear when fighting enemies by pressing Punch + Kick. If you press Action when approaching an enemy (as if you were going to disarm them). Instead of doing your disarm move, you will take out the sword and slice them up, killing them instantly. Note: You also have to enter it again when you turn off the game. Go to the Hacking program, select that file again, select TRAINING, then SWORD.DSK.

Additional options
Go into the Hacking option and type "DIR". This will bring up a list (System.exe, Tools.exe, etc.). Under system, login as "GUEST". This will bring up the B directory. Go to tools under B's directory and it will ask for a five digit binary code. Note: This code is random each time. Enter the correct code to access more options such as "DECODE.EXE", "PLAY.EXE", and "VIEW.EXE".

Note: The list of possible binary codes includes:
11000
11001
10100
10010
10011
10001
01001
00101
00011

Hack into The Matrix
Once you have saved, you can select the Hacking option and begin to work on hacking into The Matrix itself. As the Matrix is quite simply a simulation, its rules are no different to a computer systems. This allows you to not only access all stored files, but you can change the physical laws of the system (as mentioned in the "cheat" descriptions) Laws like gravity can be bent, for a greater time/effect than the limited focusing alone. To take advantage of the Hack System's abilities, you will need to know exactly what to enter following the command prompt (default A Drive standard (A:\)): Enter "DIR" to display directory choices. You can simply type [name of executable].EXE then press Enter. The executable will be opened. It is not the same with .TXT files, as you must type "READ" first before the text file selection is revealed in Command List. Simply type "DIR" then a space followed by B:\ for the contents of the B Drive to be revealed for selection, rather than typing individual filenames. After experiencing the rabbit hole for yourself, the "CHEAT.EXE" is invaluable for those with free minds looking to further enhance skills, and bend the rules of The Matrix. After opening the executable, you will be required to enter specific codes, which will directly alter rules of The Matrix, making it easier for you to utilize your ability to focus the mind, and other aspects. Use it wisely.

For an easy way to unlock cheat mode, at title screen select "Hack". Press any key when instructed. Once the system has loaded, type "DIR". You will eventually see various choices. One of these choices will be "TOOLS". Instead of typing it in, go all the way to the left where your options are "HELP and DIR". Click "DIR", then you will see the same choices on the screen above. Click on "TOOLS". From there you will see more choices "CHEAT.EXE" and so on. Click "CHEAT.EXE" and enter in any the codes.

Multi-player mode

To access multi-player mode, follow the steps used to get the sword. However, instead go to the SPARKS folder and have a chat with him. Activate "HANDSHAKE.EXE". When he asks what program you sent him, say "HANDSHAKE". Then, wait until he is done talking. He will then upload Multi-player to you. Access it by going to "Load" and choosing the level just before the first one.

Multi-player mode character selections
When entering multi-player mode, you do not get to choose which character(s) you would like to fight as. Instead, the Matrix selects two pre-set opponents depending on which scenario/background you choose. Note: Much like Morpheus vs. Neo in The Matrix, multi-player mode is essentially a training ground to hone your standard skills. Focus is unavailable for use in the Multi-player program. There is no background music to accompany these battles. Below is the list of backgrounds/environments that are used in the single player game itself, and the characters the CPU will select upon choosing a certain background:

The Pit - Player 1: Seraph, Player 2: Ballard
The Ballroom - Player 1: Niobe, Player 2: Ghost
The Bedroom - Player 1: Cujo, Player 2: Vlad
The Atrium - Player 1: Sewing Woman, Player 2: Janitor
The Alley - Player 1: Firebird Man, Player 2: Police Car Man

Guy pitching to board room: "How many of you remember the character Nairobe from The Matrix?"

1 or 18 executives raises his hand

Guy pitching: "Cool. And how many of you remember the character Ghost?"

0 hands raise.

Guy pitching: "Uh, he was that guy who's sitting in the backseat while Nairobe drives in that one scene..."

Crickets

Guy pitching: "Well, you can play as him in this game."

Out of all the games I could have gotten for full price that one day, I got this cause at the time I really got into the Matrix Reloaded. I was disappointed because the bullet time powers were only fun to play for a few minutes, and I regretted very much that for all it was it cost me $60, but then I was young enough that until then I wasn't aware of how trade-ins worked. For just this game I was able to get a used copy of Deus Ex, Final Fantasy X, and Shadowman 2, so it was a good investment after all.