Without Ghost In The Shells dizzying blend of gunplay, hacking, acrobatics and cyber-punk philosophy, its unlikely The Matrix would exist. But despite vividly recreating the feel of Mamoru Oshis classic anime, Stand Alone Complex is over way too quickly.
Playing as hot cyborg chick Motoko, or gun-totin psycho Batou, Stand Alone Complex sees players leaping between skyscrapers to penetrate secret bases, pummelling enemies in slick Bullet Time, or navigating a maze of corridors while obliterating waves of soldiers. Manga fans will feel at home as the sprawling urban environments look exactly like the film, and the cartoons confusing techno geek-speak is replicated by comrades who babble orders and backstory.
But just as the game begins to get interesting and challenging, the adventure abruptly ends, leaving you feeling that Stand Alone Complex could have delivered so much more.