- Gabe Logan continues his adventures on the handheld, with truly impressive gameplay mechanics, lush visuals and superb online play.
Overview
The Syphon Filter franchise made a name for itself back on the original Playstation, it was one of those titles for Sony that caught a niche market, and continued to expand upon that audience with a few different iterations. However the series lost on its way somwhat on the Playstation 2, and since then we haven't really heard from the big series until the more unexpected release of the PSP game Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror, which surprised us all being one of the best games released on the platform. Now today we are coming back checking out the latest Syphon Filter title for the PSP, Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow. Does this game continue the series' successful run on the handheld? Read our full review to find out!
Gameplay
Syphon Filter is a third person action game, and so the big question on the PSP (which is a one analog stick device) was how the developers would be able to mend what has always needed two analog sticks onto the PSP control scheme. In Dark Mirror, Sony did some very simplistic maneuvers that gave you the feel of a full third person action game and yet made a very accessible and enjoyable third person action title. So can Logan's Shadow get out from the big expectations that Dark Mirror left for the game and continue the series along a successful portable path?
Logan's Shadow is definitely a follow up to Dark Mirror, and it takes a lot of ideas from the first game and expands it even further from the original. The controls are fantastic in Logan's Shadow, it takes some time to get into the game. There is a definite learning curve, but for players of last year you will feel right at home. One of the game's strongest suits is the fact that it manages to keep a very deep third person view while still maintaining a control scheme that won't make you want to scream.
The game has improved the AI as well, or at least it sure feels like it did. The first half hour of the game was a bit easy, but as you get into the heart of the experience AI responds to you in a very realistic and challenging manner. Let's just say you won't have many (if any) standing enemies starring at the ground. They will fight back, take cover, and make your life a bit more difficult, in a good way.
Just like in Dark Mirror, I found myself really getting into the main single player mode of the game. I was a bit skeptical at the onset of my experience, but as you get into the game, the story develops and the experience expands very nice over last years game. However as great as the single player was, the multiplayer is just as big of a deal in the game as well. You can play up to 8 players online over ad hoc or online, which last year just wasn't all that great due to some major mechanical issues.
However in Logan's Shadow you have a much stronger online experience, which just plays really well for a portable game. I am still not 100% on portable online gaming, but I have to say this is one of those games that I actually found myself really enjoying. There are actually no shortage of modes online either, all of which function really well. I did experience some lag issues online, not consistently, but I did have a few that were struggling a bit more than I expected it to. Otherwise once again the game really impressed me. Online battles were swift and action packed, and yet were extremely enjoyable.
Graphics
I have to say that visually speaking Dark Mirror was one of the best looking PSP games around. Very few games have been able to use the PSP to the degree of success that the developers were able to accomplish in that game. With that being said, Logan's Shadow takes the visuals one step further with just an extra level of detail placed on top for good measure. Not only that but Logan's Shadow as a whole runs a lot smoother, especially in the more hectic action sequences. There is no doubt that Logan's Shadow is by far one of the best looking games on the PSP, bar none.
Fun Factor
I have to admit the one thing that held back this game from being perfect was the opening few missions. The game just felt a bit bland at first, a bit of a rehash if you will. But as you start to make headway and learn of some of the new mechanics and put them into action, the game flourishes. It is amazing to me that the developers were able to put such a complex action game onto the PSP with the success that this game has both online and offline.
Overall
Hands down Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow is one of the best games to ever grace a PSP. From front to bottom, this was a well developed and well executed game, and the final results are incredible. If you own a PSP and have any interest in action games at all, picking up Logan's Shadow is the right move to make.
- Gameplay
9.0 - Graphics
9.0 - Fun Factor
9.0 - Overall
9.0
