Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror (PlayStation Portable, 2006)

Syphon Filter made quite a name for itself on the PS2 quite a while back with its great graphics, great storyline and exceptional missions. It has now been released on the Sony PSP but will it live up to the hype that surrounds it or will it be another mediocre PSP game?

WHAT IS SYPHON FILTER?

The PSP is constantly thrown rushed ports of games, simply to make quick money or just because developers consider the PSP a side project with little consideration, I was really hoping that Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror would not become another one of these, the PSP has very few good games as it is and has been needing another game in the mold of SOCOM Navy Seals.

Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror is a action / stealth experience for the Playstation Portable Entertainment System. If you can imaging crossing SOCOM with Metal Gear Solid, you would get Syphon Filter. It follows the story of Gabe Logan, the leader of a Special Ops group, who gets sent in when things get a little sticky or too risky for the military to handle. You have a team that supports you throughout your missions and you are usually in contact with them via radio. You have all sorts of weapons and gadgets at your disposal to help you fight the enemy!

Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror actually boasts some pretty quick loading times, which is something that has affected and made a good game a bad one in the past. Pressing start on the main menu you will be whisked away to the game in just a few short seconds and you can start your adventure as Gabe Logan!

The single player campaign will take you a while to get through, depending on your skill and difficulty level. While its not too long of a campaign, its also built for on the go play, so remember that. The character's share detailed story lines, and occasionally you'll switch characters to see each point of view at the time of the story. This may be one of the best story lines in a PSP game yet.

HOW DOES IT LOOK AND PLAY

One of the first things you will notice about the game is the control system. There are quite a few control schemes to choose from, all as difficult to learn as the other. The PSP has issues with control schemes because there is only one analog stick, this can in fact make things very difficult. The learning curve on this game is actually quite steep and you will have difficulty learning how to control Gabe, it took me a good hour, hour and a half before i felt totally comfortable with the control scheme, but once i had it down i found myself flipping through the various weapons and gadgets screens with ease.

Moving Gabe around is done by using the analog stick and that is pretty simple, forward moves you forward, back moves you back etc. The d-pad has various functions. The four directional buttons are used to crouch, change weapons, change gadgets, and to reload/climb objects. The shoulder buttons have a few functions too. The left shoulder button will have you lock onto your target so you can shoot to kill, in my opinions the target lock can actually make the game a little too easy. If you have the patience and learn the control system you will find yourself liking this game a great deal.

The graphics come close to the PS2, and it really is a nice game to look at. I knock the PSP badly at times but i am still amazed by the high quality graphics that this unit can produce. From shadows that can give away your location to enemy guards, to the breath of your character in the cold night,

I think SCEA did a great job creating this game. I thoroughly enjoyed the single-player missions. It had a rich, in-depth storyline, as well as character development.
In the single-player part of the game, there are over hundreds of weapons and gadgets to choose from. Most of the guns and gadgets you have to unlock though, which gives a point of playing the game. You can also sneak behind an enemy and break his neck, slice him with a knife, or shoot him in the head. Whichever way works good for you. I also love the fact that each mission didn't take long at all to load. And you can easily get over 30+ hours from the single-player missions.
This game easily outshines in graphics from the other games. The characters look great, texture, maps, and almost everything looks clean and smooth.
Now for the online playing, I enjoyed it very much, however, there are only 4 or 5 small maps and you can have up to 8 players in the online playing. The controls will take about a week of getting used to, so don't get discouraged when you die in the first 10 seconds of playing! Eventually, you'll get the hang of it and will be able to shoot like the vets. There's also an awesome rank system in the game as well as clans. (Known as "cells" in the game.) Most of the people who play Socom play this game too. So be prepared for the cheating and rude language of the online play.
This game gets very violent, and I also heard a few "F" words in the single-player part of the game (Non-stop language in the online playing). I'd reccomend this game to anyone who is mature enough to know and understand the consequences of abusing violence and language in real life. I know it sounds strict, but I don't think any youngsters should have this in their head.
The only way to find out the surprises and adventures this game offers is to try it out yourself. Highly reccomended. 4/5

Not having really had a choice in the matter I got this game with the PSP I bought on eBay and I must say it was a bonus I had not expected. The game is solid and is a good fit for the PSP.

It gave me a good introduction to the PSP control system and uses the controls well. The graphics are very good and the controls feel intuitive.

I do not know if I would have bought this since I was not a follower of the game series but it was something I would have at least rented and then considered.

If you are not into WWII shooters then this might be a good alternative for you - a better choice than something like the Splinter Cell title for the PSP which was not a great game.

For fans of the series this is a must have, for others looking for a good FPS this is something you can buy on the cheap and enjoy.

This game is a great third person shooter. In the game, you are agent Gabe Logan, who works for a government agency. You have the abillity to use a variety of weapons, visors, and other different gadgets. This is a fun game, for a great system.

this is one of my favorite first person shooter games. i love it. the guns are great.the sniper and its bullets are one of the best kind of its own. the way you crouch around to shoot are really convenient and amazing. i hope that i can see more of this kind of games cause these days its so hard to find the good games like this specially for play station portable. the price that i paid for this game from ebay was quite reasonable.from my point of view this can become on of the best games of the year.so dont even hesitate about buying this game even a moment cause you should try it.