The Matrix Reloaded is guaranteed a huge opening weekend. Will fans of the film also start forming lines on May 15th for its tie-in video game, Enter the Matrix? If the title is as integral a part of the series as the people at Shiny are boasting, you should start lining up at your local video game outlet approximately…yesterday.

Enter the Matrix was made at the same time as the two theatrical Matrix sequels. Andy and Larry Wachowski -- the writers/directors of the three Matrix movies -- have written and directed an hour of full-motion video cut scenes exclusively for the game, featuring all of The Matrix trilogy’s key-players. Along with the actors come the original sets and digital FX from the next two Matrix films. The multi-faceted brothers also wrote the game’s story, produced the title, and were heavily involved in its development from beginning to end.

In a calculated attempt to deepen the Matrix universe, The Wachowski Brothers chose not to let gamers control any of the major sci-fi heroes. While the story of Trinity, Morpheus and Neo will be well fleshed-out over the course of the theatrical trilogy, less information will be given to the filmgoer regarding the supporting characters. With Enter the Matrix, players will be able to take on the role of either the weapons master, Ghost, or the Ace pilot, Niobe. The gameplay will vary dramatically depending on which character is chosen.

Enter the Matrix will crossover into many different gaming genres. The bulk of the gameplay will consist of third-person fighting action (guns, fists, feet, or anything else that comes in handy), but there will also be driving and flying levels.

Potentially the biggest selling-point of the game is its “focus” feature. You will be able to turn it on and put the world in slow-motion. A focus meter will limit your use of the time-altering device. Until the meter runs out, you will be able to pummel enemies with various fighting combinations (some of which will increase your meter), run up walls, and dodge bullets. Consider the focus feature “bullet time” enhanced. You can start drooling now.

The game is to feature highly interactive environments. It appears that anything breakable will more than likely be broken. This fragile furniture should be welcomed by gamers wanting to put some of the 4,000 motion-captured scenes created for Enter the Matrix to good use.

The game won’t be all razzle-dazzle. People hoping to really enter the Matrix will be able to hack into their game for an old-fashioned text-based experience. The more proficient your hacking skills, the more you will be able to alter the reality of your world.

Enter the Matrix is bound to be one of the most ambitious film-to-game adaptations to date. Developers have been known to shoot themselves in the foot (those without “bullet time,” of course) by attempting to put too much of a good thing into a single title. But with the creative talent behind this one, millions of Matrix fans should be screaming out one word in unison: “Woah!”