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Syphon Filter
- November 24, 2000 14:47 PM PST
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An action-packed espionage thriller, Syphon Filter's intense gameplay combines with tight control and slick style to deliver the PlayStation's best third-person action game.
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989 Studios sneaks onto the spy scene with an awesome third-person action game that would stir even 007 to raise his martini in salute. Once you get past its lame name, Syphon Filter?s captivating mix of thrilling action, sweet controls, and beautiful visuals catapults it into the ranks of the PlayStation?s must-buy games.
Viral Threat
Playing as Gabe Logan, an operative with the shadowy Agency, you?re charged with eliminating a group of terrorists before they release a lethal virus known as Syphon Filter. An intriguing setup, it translates into the white-knuckle thrills of a Bond flick as Gabe solves challenge after challenge with a little smarts and a lot of lead. It?s the kind of twitchy, combat-heavy game-play that will hook action gamers hard.
Missions usually begin with a few objectives (locating viral bombs or terminating viral scientists) and a whole lot of terrorists in between. 989 keeps the pace snappy and surprising as your partner, Lian Xing, frequently radios in new objectives, changes in the plan, and other challenges. Mayhem isn?t the only way to succeed, either--you?ll often need to be a sneaky little weasel and worm your way past the enemy when their superior numbers could shred your flak jacket fast.
It?s one hell of an exciting ride, which makes the game?s only significant flaw a real shame. Save points are few and too far between, though checkpoints (which you can?t save at) somewhat reduce the boredom of replaying familiar territory. It?s a disappointing annoyance, but it doesn?t ruin the show.
Target Sighted
Like any good spy, Gabe?s got moves--sidestepping, sneaking, rolling for cover, and much more--but topnotch camerawork and targeting really set Syphon apart. Plenty of other games leave you in the lurch when it comes to perspective, yet Syphon?s camera never strands you as Gabe blasts away. Lining up shots is also simple with both the intuitive Target Lock mode, which lets you easily run in one direction while shooting in another, and the in-depth Sniper mode.
Factor in the smooth analog movement, and Syphon?s controls score top honors for their responsiveness and ease of use. Useful radar, automapping, and inventory systems complete Gabe?s arsenal.
Superfly Superspy
Fluid animations steal the show. Gabe moves with graceful stealth as he stalks enemies, slams home new clips, and the like. The terrorists capture the eye, too, clutching their wounds and geysering blood.
Detailed scenery showcases everything from the D.C. subway to a spooky monastery-turned-biolab. Excellent lighting, ranging from the glare of a subway car?s headlights to Gabe?s flashlight, makes the levels look spectacular.
Killer sounds keep the tension levels high. Dramatic music warns you of imminent danger, while the weapon effects, from the whuff of a silenced pistol to the metallic cough of armor-piercing rounds, flat-out rock. The voice acting gets a tad cheesy at times, but, hey, you can?t have everything.
Gunning for GoldenEye?
So how does Syphon stack up against gaming?s spy superpowers? On the PlayStation, Metal Gear Solid?s thoughtful, strategic action is a different beast, and its appeal is so different from Syphon's that there?s plenty of room for both (think C&C versus Nuclear Strike). Facing off against the N64 superstar, Syphon keeps pace with GoldenEye?s one-player game, but GoldenEye?s excellent multiplayer action gives it the go-ahead goal.
Which leaves Syphon in the fine position of being the PlayStation?s best third-person action game and one of gaming?s leading espionage thrillers. If intensely addictive run-n-gun action sounds cool, snap up a copy of Syphon-you won?t put the controller down for days, maybe weeks.
