Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror: Once More Through the Dark Glass
Company: SCEA
After the release of The Omega Strain, the last Syphon Filter game to appear on the PS2, things looked bleak for the series. When Dark Mirror, the series' first PSP outing, was announced it was met with a few cynical looks. Not only had the series plummeted over the years, but the system still hadn't proven that its single analog setup could adequately handle third person shooters. Doubts were dismissed when the game released to acclaim from critics and players, launching the series back to the prominence it once held. Now, Sony is getting ready to let non-PSP owners experience the series' rebirth with the PS2 version of Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror.
Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror takes the series back to its roots. Instead of trying to make the player feel like they are part of the Syphon Filter universe by focusing on a player-created character, Dark Mirror once again puts players in the role of Gabe Logan, a black ops agent for a US agency that legally doesn't exist. Gabe's mission finds him tied up with a paramilitary group known as Red Section who is in possession of a next-generation weapon of mass destruction named Project Dark Mirror. The demo kicks off with Gabe and fellow operative, Lian Xing, infiltrating a petroleum refinery in Alaska. His first objective is to open up a closed vent before the building pressure causes the entire plant to explode. As always, there is a catch since a sniper just happens to be standing right next to the switch. And, since no one is supposed to know Gabe is there, he has to eliminate him as quietly as possible.
Cool weapons have always been a big part of the Syphon Filter series and Dark Mirror does not disappoint. In the demo alone, I was able to try out at least two different sniper rifles as well as a pistol and other guns I managed to secure from enemies. Adding to the variety of weapons are a number of different ammo types that can be loaded in each gun, such as taser rounds, a nod to a weapon that has become a favorite with series' fans. Missions return to the more linear style of the first games, though it does blend in a few non-linear elements as well. These namely show up in the form of side missions as well as using different methods to tackle some problems. While the game tries to encourage a stealthier approach, the demo levels were flexible enough that I could go through in a more run-and-gun fashion. There's no real penalty for either way other than having to face a few more guards if you choose to just shoot everyone. Of course, this may or may not be the case in future levels.
Based on the demo, it doesn't look like much is being added for the PS2 release. The only noticeable change is, of course, the ability to use dual analog sticks rather than one stick and the face buttons. This gives the game a smoother feel, especially when trying to use the sniper rifle, which was hampered by the mechanical movement allowed by the face buttons. For anyone who hasn't had the chance to experience one of last year's best PSP titles, you'll have your chance later this summer.
-Starscream, GameVortex Communications AKA Ricky Tucker
Related Links: Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror -- Official Site Sony Computer Entertainment America
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