Keanu Reeves’s involvement inCyberpunk 2077was one of its biggest points of marketing, but it wasn’t the first time he appeared in a video game. This isn’t all that surprising, as his involvement in major film franchises made it more or less inevitable that some tie-in game would use his voice and likeness. What’s surprising is that he was actually in a good one, as most movie tie-ins are known for being mediocre at best.
Keanu has appeared in severalMatrixgames, andthe first wasEnter the Matrix, a 2003 game that launched alongside the theatrical debut ofThe Matrix Reloaded. The virtual world ofThe Matrixlent itself naturally to the video game space, andEnter the Matrixdidn’t back off from capitalizing on the opportunity. It wasn’t perfect, but 17 years later, it’s a cult classic for a reason.
Enter The Matrix Gets The Style Right
Gun-Fu Is A Delicate Art Of Destruction
If you’re going to doThe Matrix, you’ve got to do it with style, andEnter the Matrixgot the memo. While blasting your way through corridors of enemies wasn’t anything new,doing it gun-fu stylewas a lot less common. Like inMax Payne,playable charactersNiobe and Ghost can employ bullet time. Tricks like wall running and signatureMatrixflips give the game its own flair, especially when the lobby from the first film is exploding around you.
Looking cool inEnter the Matrixisn’t always that easy, andnegative reviews tend to point out clunky segments and controlsthat get in the way of the action.Enter the Matrixdoesn’t feel entirely finished, and in 2003, there wasn’t any post-launch pipeline to fix that in updates. Embracing the game requires a bit of patience. For those used to more polished experiences, it might never fully click, butMatrixfans shouldn’t let that dissuade them from giving it a shot.
Keanu’s Involvement In Enter The Matrix Is Unique
Not Your Average Tie-In
Cutscenes are whereEnter the Matrixgets really interesting, as the involvement of Keanu and otherMatrixcast members is a lot more intimate than you expect (despite Neo not appearing much in the game). Like some other tie-ins of the era,Enter the Matrixincorporates live-action footageto connect to the films, but it does more than just borrow material fromThe Matrix Reloaded.
During the sequel shoots,the Wachowskis shot footage with the cast and crew of the filmsfor exclusive use in the game, giving its story some extra depth and connective tissue. With a cast of A-list performers for both live-action footage and voice recordings,Enter the Matrixdoesn’t end up resigning itself to the uncanny valley of impressions.
When movie tie-ins are disappointing, it’s often because theyfail to feel connected to the film. Whether bouncing between plot points without much motivation or running off to explore other corners of the world, it’s difficult to tell a story meant for the big screen in a way that works equally well in a game.
Enter the Matrixstands well above the packin this regard, helped along by its unique production. Playing it before or afterThe Matrix Reloadedreveals just how nicely the two works are incorporated, and it’s ultimately amemorable movie tie-inthat adds to the story without losing the appropriate tone and style.
Enter The Matrix Is Still The Best Matrix Game
Path Of Neo Doesn’t Quite Top It
Enter the Matrixwasn’t the only video game venture into the world ofThe Matrix.The Matrix: Path of Neoalso has its fans, and whileThe Matrix Awakenswasn’t exactly a full game, it served as a fantastic tech demo for Unreal Engine 5.Enter the Matrixmight still be the most satisfying experience overall, though, even ifPath of Neogenerated some extra excitement by putting players in the shoes of The One.
I’m not usually big on game remakes, and I’m not convinced that any modern take onEnter the Matrixwould look any better than the original art direction on a CRT screen. I do thinkit’s a decent candidate for a remakeor remaster, though, which would provide an opportunity to refine its rougher points.
The Matrixis still a huge name, and after the delisting ofThe Matrix: Awakens, there aren’t any convenient ways to experience that world in a video game today.Bringing backEnter the Matrixwould be a smaller taskthan making a new tie-in altogether. Even if an entirely newMatrixgame does come along, it could benefit from looking at whatEnter the Matrixgot right (and what areas could use some improvements).
Keanu Reeves has probably never playedEnter the Matrixhimself, as he later confessed toThe Vergethat he doesn’t play video games. For someone without an interest in experiencing the medium, he’s certainly made his mark on it. Johnny Silverhand is a modern gaming icon, but if you’ve done everything you wanted to do inCyberpunk 2077, revisiting an older Keanu role inEnter the Matrixcould be the perfect next stop.
