Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow: Shadow Fight
Company: Sony Interactive Entertainment America
Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow is the sequel to last year's award winning PSP game, Dark Mirror, and picks up almost immediately after that game's events. When a piece of undisclosed technology falls into the hands of a terrorist group, the Agency, a black-ops group that doesn't really exist, is called in to recover it. The demo takes place on a naval supply ship, the USS Mt. St. Helens, stationed in the Indian Ocean near Abd al Kuri. The ship has been taken over by pirates led by a Syrian terrorist named Ghassan al Bitar, who just happens to have unfinished business with Gabe. After a quick deployment into the field, Gabe learns that the man who sent him on the mission, long-time Agency pain in the ass Robert Cordell, didn't give him all of the intel he needed. The terrorists have taken over the ship's missile system and are preparing to use them.
Gabe's first objective is to take out the ship's launchers using a chain gun attached to a helicopter. After a few passes, and some tough opposition armed with rocket launchers, he lands on the ship's deck. Controls should be immediately familiar to anyone who played Dark Mirror and are really easy to pick up if you haven't. Gabe has all of his gadgets and moves from the previous game along, as well as a few new tricks, such as the ability to blind-fire around corners. Though wildly inaccurate, it does help to give to clear congested hallways and catwalks. While in combat, Gabe can also grab enemies and use them as a hostage. After grabbing them, he can then slit their throat or knock them out.
At various points during the demo, Gabe has to call in helicopter support to move debris from the ship's deck. During these sequences, Gabe has to guide the helicopter's winch into position, which is done via a short button-press sequence. These sequences also pop up in other areas of the game, such as opening certain doors. During the mission, Gabe's longtime partner, Lian Xing inexplicably disappears. Many in the organization believe that Lian has been working as a double agent and has gone back into hiding. Gabe is reluctant to believe his longtime friend is a traitor, so he sets out to locate her.
Another addition to the series is underwater missions. Not only do these missions introduce new weapons to the system, like a spear, but it also introduces new combat mechanics since attacks can now come from above and below. Based on early impressions, Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow looks poised to be the must-play game the PSP needs.
-Starscream, GameVortex Communications AKA Ricky Tucker
Related Links: Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow -- Official Site Sony Computer Entertainment America
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