Game Title - Syphon Filter
Developer - 989 Studios
Genre - Third Person Shooter
Rating - T
Release Date - February 17th, 1999
Platforms - Playstation
Game Overview
Syphon filter takes place all over the world with an immense storyline. Taking the role of Gabe Logan, an agent of the International Presidential Consulting Agnecy, you fight through missions with many different objectives, to try and find the international terrorist Erich Rhoemer. Rhoemer is in possession of a next-generation biological weapon, called Syphon Filter. What makes the weapon so deadly is that it can be programmed to target specific ethnic groups, races, or even species. When the game starts off, Rhoemer has begun a full scale terrorist attack on Washington D.C. You fight through hordes of terrorists with a large array of weapons, doing things from re-routing power to the subway, to assisting your allies of the CBDC (Chemical and Biological Defense Command), who wear bright yellow NBC protection suits.
After fighting through DC, you go through many missions. These include, in order... fighting through the subway systems of D.C. to set beacons on bombs for the CBDC to disarm... rushing through the destroyed subway (the last of the bombs had 5 seconds left on the timer), which is now up in flames, torn apart, and trying to get to the surface... battling through Washington Park in the pouring rain on a time limit to set more beacons on bombs, and then battle it out with a flamethrower wielding frenchman...sneaking through an EXPO center with silenced weapons, following a man who can be tranced to the weapon...Rhoemer's military base in Kazakhstan, as well as the bunkers, and then the rooftop to do battle with a KI-33 Hind Helicopter...Rhomer's stronghold in the Ukraine to cure prisoners infected with the virus...the PHARCOM Warehouses in Kazakhstan, wher eyou strive to complete missions while a MASSIVE turf war is going on between Rhomer and Phagan's soldiers, who will both target you as well...and finally a battle in the missile silos to try and deactive Syphon Filter before it is launced via ICBM.
The game features a mass array of weapons. From your trust Tazer, to a silenced 9mm, a .45 pistol, M-16s, sniper rifles, M-79 grenade launchers, countless SMGs and assault rifles, hand grenades, shotguns, a fully auto glock 18c with very extended clip, and many other guns. Each weapon has it's own strengths and weaknesses, ranging from firepower to effective distance and rate of fire. Ammo is pleantyful for most weapons, but some should be saved for good use.
The storyline of the game can be a little hard to follow first time around but after beating the game once, it becomes very interesting. The missions pull you in and some get very intense. Add this to the amazing soundtrack and decent AI (for its time) and you got a pretty great game. The movement feels aukward at times but the game is great fun. I can't think of much else to overview so onto scoring.
1.
Audio - 8
The game has a bad assed soundtrack. All original music (like a lot of games from that period in time). But it all fits the game perfectly. The sound effects were also pretty crisp and distinctive, and the voiceovers were pretty ok. They were a bit cheesy though. Gabe sounds a lot like Clint Eastwood, it makes me laugh. Hehe.
Here is one of the songs from the game. This loops in the background as you fight through level 4, Washington park. Very dark gloomy night, sound of sirens in the distance, city is in chaos from terrorists, pouring rain, racing against the clock in a misty, terrorist filled, hedge riddled park. One ofm y favorite songs.
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2.
Graphics - 9
For it's time, the graphics were pretty damn good. The visuals in the cinematics were close to Xbox 1 quality. The in game graphics, the textures were a little picelated, but they were pretty damn good. And the effects were cool too. Especially in DC with the breakable glass windows, and all the lights are able to be shot out. And of course the police cars, which could be used as cover, but when they took too much damage, blew up in a loud explosion and did like 4 barrel rolls.
3.
Controls - 6
The controls for this game were almost bad. The aiming was a bit sensative if you didn't use lock on. Free aim moved way too fast so getting headshots was a pain in the dick, especially on enemies who wore Flak Jackets. And turning... well it was wide. Very wide. You had to lean into turns, you couldnt just...turn. Like running in a quarter circle. Controls were clunky as well...
4.
Content - 8
Well... there was "Start Game" uhm... "Load Game"..and "Options"... but, in the actual game there was a lot to do to keep you occupied, even if you weren't following the objectives.
5.
Replayability - 8
Even though there was single player only, it was addicting. It was fun to play the game over and over without it getting boring.
6.
Multiplayer - 0
Sadly this game had no multiplayer. It would of been great to have it but sadly, none. Then again, back in 1999 only choice games had multiplayer.
7.
Story - 10
I love this games storyline. The plot was very unique and back then, terrorism wasnt the popular subject for videogames. Besides that, the missions were unique and it was a lot of fun to learn more about the game... like watching a really good movie.
8.
Innovation - 9
Like I said before, nothing was done like this before. Not many games focused on terrorism (besides counter-strike), and the ones that did were not set up like this was. It used a lot of unused gameplay mechanics (like rolling to put out fire and to save damage from falls, a fucking TAZER, and linear objectives and levels).
9.
Getting Into It - 10
The games a sinch to get into. None of that complicated button things. Same old button layouts. Shoot, roll, action, reload.
10.
Game Length - 9
I played this game days before finally beating it. Some of the missions will annoy you (you die, you start over....and some missions were HARD) But they were fun at all times. And you could play once you beat it, and get right back into it.
OVERALL SCORE
7.7 out of
10
Final Comment
It's an old game, but it shouldn't be impossible to find. If you do manage to find a copy, GET IT. It's WELL WORTH the money. And knowing these modern prices for PSX games, it will run you about $3. Totally fun game, one of my classic favorites. Try it.
Møk3
