Running up and down walls, leaping over rooftops, stopping bullets with the flick of a wrist and treating gravity like it's a suggestion not a rule. Trench coats, shades, catsuits and a bald black dude with more sense than Yoda and more moves than Bruce - all wrapped up in a common cause to fight the system. The Matrix redefined cinematic cool and gave a generation of disenchanted film fans a reason to get excited about science fiction again. Not a bad achievement considering it's got Keanu Reeves in it.

But it's been nearly four years since the original wowed audiences, and vital ingredients that would have made the first movie a sure-fire gaming success have been long showing up in other titles. Max Payne introduced Bullet Time all the way back in Issue 02, so we need more than a bit of slow-motion gunplay to make the film franchise come to life. But now to coincide with the long-awaited release of the movie sequel Matrix Reloaded, we're finally served with a game bearing the hallowed 'M' word. But is it a case of too little too late, or are we all going to fall down the rabbit hole?

We knew we had a hot property on our hands when our exclusive Enter The Matrix review code had the editor's surname watermarked throughout. Security is tight, but then a lot is riding on the success of this title. The biggest movie licence to hit video games since Skywalker first fired up a lightsaber has one hell of a lot of living up to do.

And in typical Matrix fashion, nothing is as it seems. Firstly, you don't get to play as chief ass-kicker Neo. Instead you choose between Morpheus's ex-girlfriend Niobe and a mysterious oriental gunslinger called Ghost. Secondly, the game isn't a reproduction of the film. Oh, and there's a fair amount of driving to be done as well. But don't look so puzzled because as Morpheus would say, there's nothing to fear from the unexpected - and Enter The Matrix breaks new ground in more ways than one.

The plot is original both in concept and content. Hailing from the pen of the Wachowski brothers (the writers and directors behind the films), the game narrative runs parallel with the new movie's story and in some instances actually intersects with the film's plot. Background characters in the film play a much bigger role in the game, offering a better understanding of 'the big picture'.

But it's not just the story that's fresh. The game is also littered with an hour's worth of FMV footage produced specifically for the game and incorporating all the major actors performing on custom-designed sets. Money has been poured into this project from a great height and it shows.

The game is largely of the third-person run, kick and shoot variety, punctuated by bolt-on driving interludes and some Tomb Raider-esque acrobatic exploration stages. The in-game events vary depending on which character you choose to play as at the start. In one stage, Ghost has to fight his way to an airport tower and provide covering

fire, while playing as Niobe sees you fighting an agent on board a jet. Each character's separate approach means that once you've completed the game you'll be keen to play through again,

resulting in the vital lastability factor getting cranked up a notch. But fancy game design is mere decoration compared to the all-important control mechanism. The ability to easily pull off the tricks and stunts that gave The Matrix its trademark style is essential - and fortunately easy to accomplish. Bullet Time is replaced by Focus, a slow-motion effect that automatically replenishes and acts as the backdrop to the more spectacular effects. Want to run along a wall? Simply approach it at an angle and pull the Left trigger. Cartwheels, dives and somersaults are also executed in a similar manner - with or without guns at the ready. Acrobatics are easy to achieve and impressive to watch.

Unarmed combat is also a motion-captured show-stopper. Execution is still very simple, with punch, kick, counter and throw each receiving the one-button treatment. A flurry of button pressing results in choreographed combinations that look both slick and stylised without too much effort on the part of the player - something that may frustrate hardcore fight fans. Your character's position in relation to the target and the decision to apply Focus mode often results in different fighting sequences, which provides a good variety of onscreen action.

The combat, gymnastics and auto-aim gunplay makes the experience both a spectacle to watch and hugely enjoyable to play. There are niggles - the camera can sometimes get stuck behind objects resulting in an obstructed view of the action, and the inclusion of the over-simplified driving sequences feels like a rushed afterthought. But although some parts of the game are not as strong as others, the sheer effort that has been made to do justice to the licence shines through like a redeeming light.

Walking into a room, activating Focus and cartwheeling across a marble floor while dishing out ripples of hot lead to a pack of guards is a genuine Matrix moment - and the game is jammed full of them. Rather than just reproducing the big screen equivalent, the addition of a purpose-built story complete with the film's cast means Enter The Matrix has succeeded in adding worthwhile content to the licence - a first for any video game.

If you're a fan of the films then chew the red pill. You owe it to yourself to have this title in your collection as it genuinely adds a new element to the Matrix universe and delivers with style. And if you're not a fan then knock off half a point from our review score and neck the blue pill - you still get to play a competent action game that mixes gaming styles, has 101 cute touches and serves up a highly polished experience.

The choice is yours. But either way you're in for some serious action.

1. You get to play in the Matrix world... and it works!
2. Slick motion-captured moves and detailed graphics
3. Custom story

1. Driving sequences are the weakest link

Power
Frequent but quick load times and stacks of hectic action without any slowdown.

Style
Atmospheric musical score, great graphics and Matrix moves. Dripping in flair.

Immersion
You'll be fighting the power in no time - and loving every minute of it. Authentic and compelling.

Lifespan
Two different game paths adds valuable mileage. And you'll want to complete it for the FMV.

Summary
It's not a rip-off conversion! It's a slick action romp that genuinely adds something new to the licence. A must for fans.