Software:The Matrix: Path of Neo

From HandWiki
Short description: 2005 action-adventure video game
The Matrix: Path of Neo
North American PlayStation 2 cover art
Developer(s)Shiny Entertainment
Publisher(s)Atari
Director(s)
  • The Wachowskis
  • Michael "Saxs" Persson
Producer(s)Todd Morgan
Designer(s)Shawn Berryhill
Programmer(s)Søren Hannibal
Artist(s)Chandana "Eka" Ekanayake
Writer(s)The Wachowskis
Composer(s)
  • Tobias Enhus
  • Machine Head
SeriesThe Matrix
Platform(s)
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

The Matrix: Path of Neo is a 2005 action-adventure video game developed by Shiny Entertainment and published by Atari. The game was written and co-directed by the Wachowskis, who wrote and directed the first three The Matrix films and the 2003 video game Enter the Matrix, also developed by Shiny Entertainment. Players control the character Neo, participating in scenes from the films.

The game received mixed reviews from critics.

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, sub-machine gun, pistol etc.).

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

The PC & Xbox versions also lack certain visual effects compared to the PS2 version such as the image warping.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
PCPS2Xbox
EdgeN/A5/10[3]N/A
EGMN/A6.5/10[4]6.5/10[4]
EurogamerN/A7/10[5]N/A
FamitsuN/A26/40[6]N/A
Game InformerN/A7.25/10[7]7.25/10[7]
GameProN/AStarStarStarStar[8]StarStarStarStar[8]
GameSpot6.8/10[9]7.3/10[10]7.3/10[10]
GameSpyN/AStarStar[11]StarStarHalf star[12]
GameZone6.7/10[13]7.9/10[14]8/10[15]
IGN6.5/10[16]7.8/10[17]7.8/10[17]
OPM (US)N/AStarStarStar[18]N/A
OXM (US)N/AN/A7/10[19]
PC Gamer (US)67%[20]N/AN/A
CiN Weekly81/100[21]81/100[21]81/100[21]
USA TodayStarStarStarStarStarStar[22]StarStarStarStarStarStar[22]StarStarStarStarStarStar[22]
Aggregate scores
GameRankings64%[23]71%[24]72%[25]
Metacritic64/100[26]69/100[27]73/100[28]

The Matrix: Path of Neo received "mixed or average reviews" on all platforms according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.[26][27][28] 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.[6]

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."[21] 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."[22]

References

  1. "The Matrix: Path of Neo". http://uk.ps2.ign.com/objects/696/696714.html. 
  2. Perry, David (2005-05-09). "The Matrix: Path of Neo". David Perry (game developer). http://www.dpfiles.com/showthread.php?p=1457#post1457. 
  3. Edge staff (December 25, 2005). "The Matrix: Path of Neo (PS2)". Edge (157): 110. 
  4. 4.0 4.1 "The Matrix: Path of Neo". Electronic Gaming Monthly (199). January 2006. 
  5. Bramwell, Tom (2005-11-12). "The Matrix: Path of Neo Review (PS2)". http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_pathofneo_ps2. 
  6. 6.0 6.1 "Latest Famitsu Scores 14/12/05". GreenHillZone.uk. 2005-12-15. http://www.greenhillzone.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=2584. 
  7. 7.0 7.1 Miller, Matt (December 2005). "The Matrix: Path of Neo". Game Informer (152): 161. http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/23D481FD-BBA4-443D-A336-F79DEA7D98F8.htm. Retrieved 2014-02-10. 
  8. 8.0 8.1 Ouroboros (2005-11-07). "The Matrix: Path of Neo". GamePro. http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/49653.shtml. Retrieved 2014-02-10. 
  9. Navarro, Alex (2005-11-10). "The Matrix: Path of Neo Review (PC)". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-matrix-path-of-neo-review/1900-6139602/. 
  10. 10.0 10.1 Navarro, Alex (2005-11-09). "The Matrix: Path of Neo Review". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/the-matrix-path-of-neo-review/1900-6139522/. 
  11. McGarvey, Sterling (2005-11-11). "GameSpy: The Matrix: Path of Neo (PS2)". GameSpy. http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/enter-the-matrix-reloaded/666152p1.html. 
  12. McGarvey, Sterling (2005-11-11). "GameSpy: The Matrix: Path of Neo (Xbox)". GameSpy. http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/the-matrix-path-of-neo/666166p1.html. 
  13. Knutson, Michael (2005-12-08). "The Matrix: Path of Neo - PC - Review". GameZone. http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/the_matrix_path_of_neo_pc_review. 
  14. Boker, Gabe (2005-12-04). "The Matrix: Path of Neo - PS2 - Review". GameZone. http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/the_matrix_path_of_neo_ps2_review. 
  15. Bedigian, Louis (2005-11-27). "The Matrix: Path of Neo - XB - Review". GameZone. http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/the_matrix_path_of_neo_xb_review. 
  16. Dunham, Jeremy (2005-11-17). "The Matrix: Path of Neo (PC)". http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/11/17/the-matrix-path-of-neo. 
  17. 17.0 17.1 Dunham, Jeremy (2005-11-09). "The Matrix: Path of Neo". http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/11/10/the-matrix-path-of-neo-3. 
  18. OPM Staff (January 2006). "The Matrix: Path of Neo". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. http://www.1up.com/reviews/matrix-path-neo. Retrieved 2014-02-10. 
  19. "The Matrix: Path of Neo". Official Xbox Magazine: 68. January 2006. 
  20. "The Matrix: Path of Neo". PC Gamer: 35. February 2006. 
  21. 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 Hruschak, PJ (2005-12-07). "The Matrix: Path of Neo". CiN Weekly. http://www.cinweekly.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051207/ENT09/512060301/1063. 
  22. 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 Molina, Brett (2005-12-16). "All it takes to be 'The One' is mindless button mashing". USA Today. http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/tech/gaming/2005-12-04-path-of-neo_x.htm. 
  23. "The Matrix: Path of Neo for PC". CBS Interactive. http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/926491-the-matrix-path-of-neo/index.html. 
  24. "The Matrix: Path of Neo for PlayStation 2". CBS Interactive. http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/926493-the-matrix-path-of-neo/index.html. 
  25. "The Matrix: Path of Neo for Xbox". CBS Interactive. http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/926492-the-matrix-path-of-neo/index.html. 
  26. 26.0 26.1 "The Matrix: Path of Neo for PC Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-matrix-path-of-neo/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. 
  27. 27.0 27.1 "The Matrix: Path of Neo for PlayStation 2 Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-matrix-path-of-neo/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2. 
  28. 28.0 28.1 "The Matrix: Path of Neo for Xbox Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-matrix-path-of-neo/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox. 
  29. Herold, Charles (2005-12-10). "Chasing a Girl on Kong's Island, and Other Pursuits". The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/10/sports/othersports/10vide.html?pagewanted=1&_r=0&emc=eta1. 
  • Short description: Video game database
MobyGames
Logo since March 2014
Screenshot
Frontpage as of April 2012
Type of site
Gaming
Available inEnglish
OwnerAtari SA
Websitemobygames.com
CommercialYes
RegistrationOptional
LaunchedJanuary 30, 1999; 26 years ago (1999-01-30)
Current statusOnline

MobyGames is a commercial website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes nearly 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] The site is supported by banner ads and a small number of people paying to become patrons.[2] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It is currently owned by Atari SA.

Content

The database began with games for IBM PC compatibles. After two years, consoles such as the PlayStation, were added. Older console systems were added later. Support for arcade video games was added in January 2014 and mainframe computer games in June 2017.[3]

Edits and submissions go through a leisurely verification process by volunteer "approvers". The approval process can range from immediate (minutes) to gradual (days or months).[4] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copyediting.[5]

Registered users can rate and review any video game. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own subforum.

History

Logo used until March 11, 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999 by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, then joined by David Berk 18 months later, three friends since high school.[6] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience.

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[7] This was announced to the community post factum and a few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.

On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San-Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[8] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel.[9]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[10] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[11][12]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. "MobyGames Stats". https://www.mobygames.com/moby_stats. 
  2. "MobyGames Patrons". http://www.mobygames.com/info/patrons. 
  3. "New(ish!) on MobyGames – the Mainframe platform.". Blue Flame Labs. 18 June 2017. http://www.mobygames.com/forums/dga,2/dgb,3/dgm,237200/. 
  4. "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  5. "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  6. "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/32856/Report_MobyGames_Acquired_By_GameFly_Media.php. 
  8. Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  9. Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/207882/Game_dev_database_MobyGames_getting_some_TLC_under_new_owner.php. 
  10. "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  11. "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site’s Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  12. "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 



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