Games PC THE MATRIX-PATH OF NEO User Manual

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PON PC Manual

Front 4/4 48 pages

including cover

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

GETTING STARTED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 CONTROLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 THE MATRIX: PATH OF NEO™ . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 GAME MENUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 MOVING AROUND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 HEALTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 HAND-TO-HAND & MELEE COMBAT . . . . . . . . . . .12 TARGETING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 GUNS — LOTS OF GUNS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 GRENADES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 INVENTORY MANAGER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 FOCUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 THE PATH OF THE ONE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 ALLIES & NPCs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 ENEMIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 STRATEGIES & TACTICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 QUICK REFERENCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 CREDITS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 ATARI WEB SITES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 TECHNICAL SUPPORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 END-USER LICENSE AGREEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . .43

GETTING STARTED

The Matrix: Path of Neo DVD-ROM game has a ReadMe file where you can view both the License Agreement and updated information about the game. We strongly encourage you to take the time to read this file in order to get the benefit of changes made after this manual went to print.

To view this file, double-click on it in the The Matrix: Path of Neo directory found on your hard drive (usually C:\Program Files\Atari\The Matrix Path of Neo). You can also view the ReadMe file by first clicking on the Start button on your Windows® taskbar, then on Programs, then on Atari, then on The Matrix: Path of Neo, then on the ReadMe file.

Operating System	Windows® 2000 / XP
Processor	Pentium 4 1.8 GHz or AMD Athlon
	1.8 GHz or higher
Memory	512 MB RAM
Hard Disk Space	1 GB free
DVD-ROM Drive	6X speed or faster
Video	Nvidia GeForce FX 5200 or ATI
	Radeon 8500 or greater*
Sound	DirectX® version 9.0c-compatible
	sound card
DirectX®	DirectX® version 9.0c (included)
	or higher

*Hardware T&L video cards that do not support shaders, such as the GeForce 4 MX or Intel Extreme Graphics family, are not supported

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GETTING STARTED

1.Start Windows® 2000 / XP.

2.Insert The Matrix: Path of Neo DVD-ROM game disc into your DVD-ROM drive.

3.If AutoPlay is enabled, a title screen should appear. If AutoPlay is not enabled, or the installation does not start automatically, click on the Start button on your Windows® taskbar, then on Run. Type D:\Setup and click on OK. NOTE: If your DVDROM drive is assigned to a letter other than D, substitute that letter.

4.Follow the remainder of the on-screen instructions to finish installing The Matrix: Path of Neo DVD-ROM game.

5.Once installation is complete, click on the Start button on the Windows® taskbar and choose Programs/Atari/The Matrix Path of Neo/The Matrix Path of Neo to start the game.

Note: You must have the The Matrix: Path of Neo Play Disc in your DVD-ROM drive to play.

Installation of DirectX

The Matrix: Path of Neo DVD-ROM requires DirectX® 9.0c or higher in order to run. If you do not have DirectX® 9.0c or higher installed on your computer, click “Yes” when asked if you would like to install it.

At specific points throughout the game, you will be prompted to save your progress. Choose an empty game slot or overwrite an existing game (if you do this, the game previously saved in that game slot will be lost). Your position in the game is indicated in the saved game slot.

To load a saved game, select Load and choose your saved game. When choosing a game to load, you may start from any point at which you previously saved.

			CONTROLS
Mouse		Look up / down / left / right
W		Move forward
S		Move backward
A		Strafe	left
D		Strafe	right
Space		Jump
		Tap twice for Double Jump
F		Toggle in-hand weapon
LMB or Numpad 4		Strike / Draw and fire weapon
RMB or Numpad 5		Special	Attack
		Press and hold for Killing Blow
Ctrl or Numpad 6		Evade
Shift or Numpad Enter		Focus
Q		Weapon	strip
T		Throw melee weapon
Tab		Action / Link-Up
		Specific action is context-sensitive.
		Use this control to open doors, push
		buttons, take cover, etc.
3		Inventory left
4		Inventory right
2		Swap Armed Weapon
		If inventory full, swaps currently
		selected weapon with new weapon on
		the ground.
Numpad	7 / 9	Rotate	camera
Numpad	8 / 2	Pitch Camera
Mouse Wheel or		Camera	zoom in / out
Numpad [+] / [–]
Numpad	[*]	Camera	zoom reset
C		Code Vision (unlockable)
Esc		Pause Game / Access Pause Menu
		Press again to return to game

The above is the default mouse/keyboard configuration. You can customize controls via the Options Menu.

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THE MATRIX: PATH OF NEO

Can you handle the challenges Neo faces on his path...

the path of the One?

Can you avoid the Agents who come looking for Thomas Anderson, the hacker?

Can you handle the training programs and impress Morpheus with your martial arts skills?

Can you dodge bullets? When the time comes, you won’t have to.

Can you rescue Morpheus in time to save Zion?

Can you defeat Agent Smith and bring an end to the war?

From the moment the game starts, how the story plays out is up to you. Where Neo succeeded, you must succeed. You cannot fall short, for if one fails, all fail, and Zion will crumble.

Can you do it?

GAME MENUS

Start Game – Choose an empty file slot to begin a new game.

Load Game – Load a previously saved game.

Options – Open the Options

Menu.

Once you have started a new game or loaded a previously saved game, you can access the Game Menu. This menu can also be accessed at any time from the Pause Menu while playing The Matrix: Path of Neo.

Continue Game – Resume the game at the start of the last previously saved level.

Level Select – Replay a previously saved level.

Extras – Open the Extras Menu.

Quit – Quit the Game Menu and open the Main Menu.

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GAME MENUS

The Options Menu allows you to customize several game settings. You can access the Options Menu via the Main Menu and the Pause Menu. For updated information about game options, please see the ReadMe file in The Matrix: Path of Neo directory found on your hard drive (usually

C:\Program Files\Atari\The Matrix Path of Neo).

Controls

Adjust the game's mouse/keyboard or joypad controls.

Audio

Adjust the game's audio settings for your speaker/audio configuration.

Video

Adjust the game's video settings for your monitor/video configuration.

Languages

Adjust the game's language and subtitle settings.

The Matrix: Path of Neo tells its story with live-action film footage, in-game cinematic scenes and gameplay. Clues and instructions appear in these cinematic scenes.

GAME MENUS

The rabbit hole has plenty of surprises. The Extras Menu is accessed via the Game Menu, and offers a variety of extra content.

Movies – Play the game’s movie clips, featuring footage from the Matrix trilogy and the Animatrix, as well as additional surprises.

Special Combos – View some of the game’s most effective fighting combos. It’s not a complete list – there are plenty of secrets that you can discover while playing.

Media Viewer – View additional artwork from the game and its development process.

Cheats – Toggle and manage the game’s unlockable cheats.

The Making of... – Go behind the scenes and get a special glimpse at the making of the game, with movies and special features.

At any time during the game you can press Escape to open the Pause Menu.

Resume Game – Resume playing.

Objectives – Review your current mission objectives.

Options – Open the

Options Menu (see Options

Menu on page 6).

Retry – Restart at the last saved checkpoint.

Exit to Menu – Exit the current game and return to Game Menu.

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MOVING AROUND

Inventory	Ally Status
Manager	Player Health
Ally Health	Enemy Health
	Focus Meter

The Player Health meter represents Neo’s current health level (see Health on page 11).

The Focus meter indicates Neo’s current Focus level. Focus allows Neo to bend the rules of the Matrix (see Focus on page 21).

The Ally Health meter represents the current health status of Trinity and other Rebels who fight alongside Neo (see Allies & NPCs on page 25).

The Enemy Health meter shows the current enemy’s health.

During special missions, where time is of the essence, the Ally Status display monitors the status of allies such as Morpheus.

The Inventory Manager allows you to manage and select firearms, melee weapons, grenades and other items. The number beneath the weapon icon represents a firearm’s ammo or a melee weapon’s decay status (see Inventory Manager on page 20).

The mouse and keyboard combinations control direction and speed for both walking and running. Use the Strafe keys ([A] and [D]) to sidestep left and right. An effective tactic is to combine mouse and Strafe keys to quickly circle around your opponents and keep them offbalance.

To sneak up on someone, walk slowly – enemies can hear your footsteps.

MOVING AROUND

The mouse and keyboard combinations also control your view of the action. The camera automatically follows Neo throughout the game, but you can also manually control the camera in combat by using the mouse and keyboard controls to position the camera to get a better view of your surroundings.

Press Jump [Space] to jump over various objects. As the game progresses, you'll unlock the ability to perform a Double Jump – press [Space] at the peak of a jump to perform a Double Jump that carries Neo even higher.

Neo will automatically step over low objects. To climb

onto taller objects or to reach ledges, move or jump toward the object to perform a ledge hang, and move forward [W] to climb up. When hanging from a ledge, you can also use the [A] and [D] keys to shimmy along its edge.

To climb ladders, move to the bottom of the ladder, look up with the mouse and move forward [W] and back [S] to climb up and down. Press Jump [Space] to quickly slide down a ladder

Running before a jump will increase the length of the jump, as does Focus.

Jumping from behind cover will send the character into a dive-roll.

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MOVING AROUND

When near an obstacle, such as a wall or large object, move close to it and press Action [Tab] – Neo will link up with the object and use it as cover, turning his back and pressing against the object. To break the link, move away from the object with the [W] or [S] keys.

When using an object as cover, strafe left [A] or right [D] to move or creep alongside it. If the object is low, such as a crate or table, Neo will automatically drop down and move in a crouch when linked with the object.

When linked up with an object, you can peer around the corner to locate and attack enemies. Move left [A] or right [D] to move to the corner of the object, then use the keys to peer around the object. Neo will lean out and get a better view.

To shoot at enemies from this position, press Fire [Left Mouse Button] to step around the corner and lock onto an enemy. Release Fire [LMB] to drop back to cover. You can perform the same actions to fire over objects from a crouched position.

To jump out and surprise enemies from this position, lean out, press Jump [Space] and start blasting.

To open doors and use objects within the environment, move Neo near the object with the movement keys and press Action [Tab] to perform the action.

The exact action is context-sensitive -- if you are near a door, Neo will open

it; if you are near a button or control panel, Neo will operate it.

HEALTH

Neo can dish out a lot of damage, and can take a lot of damage, as well. But as the Agents are well aware, Neo is still “only human,” and can be killed in combat if not careful.

When Neo has been out of combat for a few seconds,

his Health meter automatically regenerates up to its current maximum level. If you can get Neo out of a jam and find a place to take cover, you can replenish his health and get back into the fight.

However, if Neo takes too much damage too quickly, his maximum level of health can drop fast, leaving him more vulnerable than before.

You will find Health and Focus Packs in various locations throughout the game. Health Packs can both replenish Neo’s Health meter and restore his maximum health level. Focus Packs replenish Neo’s Focus meter.

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HAND-TO-HAND & MELEE COMBAT

After going through extensive training and download sessions aboard the Nebuchadnezzar, Neo becomes a master of several styles of martial arts. Neo is a oneman army, able to take on an entire SWAT team. When he becomes the One, his combat skills become even more amazing, as Neo is able to bend the rules of the Matrix to the breaking point.

When Neo attacks an enemy, he’ll automatically switch to a hand-to-hand combat stance, holstering any firearms, or even using them as part of the attack.

To Strike an enemy, get up close and press [LMB] to land punches and kicks. If an enemy attacks you with a Strike or a Special Attack, you can quickly press [LMB] to block the attack and counter it with your own.

As Neo gains skills, he will learn to combine a series of strikes into devastating combos that can put opponents

away quickly.

Combo Example

4-Hit Strike Combo ([LMB] x4)

Use Focus [Shift] with this Strike Combo to unleash powerful attacks that launch enemies into the air. A 4-Hit Combo can also be used to drive through an enemy's 3-Hit Combo.

Press [RMB] to perform Special Attacks – throws, grapples, holds and other combat moves. To throw an opponent, press [RMB] and press the movement keys in the desired direction to throw enemies at objects, over ledges and even at other enemies. You can

12 unlock additional Special Attacks throughout the game,

HAND-TO-HAND & MELEE COMBAT

including the ability to strip enemies of their weapons, and even turn them back on their owners by pressing the [Q] key. Special Attacks can also be used as part of linked combos, which unlock even more powerful attacks.

Combo Example

Focus Hyper Strike ([Shift] + [LMB], [RMB]

Knocks an enemy off-balance so Neo can deliver a crushing boot to the head.

You can dodge attacks and slip punches by pressing [Ctrl]. Combine this ability with Focus [Shift] to get out of even more trouble – dodging bullets and flipping over enemies and out of danger. You can also use Evades to confuse and stun your opponents, set-

ting them up for devastating combos. In a similar manner, rapidly press Evade to break out of a stun yourself, or to make a quick recovery from an attack and avoid further damage.

Combo Example

Over-the-Head Forward Evade ([Shift] + [Ctrl])

Move toward an enemy and trigger this combo – Neo will vault over the enemy’s head and land behind him, ready to take advantage of his confusion.

The Killing Blow is Neo's most powerful attack. Hold Focus [Shift] and Special Attack [RMB] to charge it up, then release in the direction of an enemy to unleash the powerful blow. Combine Killing Blow with other attacks and jumps for bone-crunching combos.

Killing Blows are best used 13