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Syphon Filter: Logan’s Shadow Review for the PlayStation Portable (PSP)

Syphon Filter: Logan’s Shadow Review for the PlayStation Portable (PSP)

Gabe’s Back and it is Great

When you are looking for a cool calculated hero adventure game, usually you will look for the latest Solid Snake or Sam Fischer game. In part, this is because of the mentality and dedication of gamers to the respective franchises of those two decorated heroes. However, there is another male lead character among the same list, Gabe Logan. When the first Syphon Filter title arrived on the original PlayStation, Gabe was already stacked against tough odds by challenging Snake’s first PlayStation title. As the years continued, it seemed, despite developer’s attempts, Syphon Filter always seemed to play third or fourth fiddle to other titles. Therefore, is there any hope for Gabe ever getting the recognition he deserves? I can’t say for sure, but if the future adventures of Gabe are going to be like Syphon Filter: Logan’s Shadow, I am certain there’s more to come.

Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow screenshot

Logan’s Shadow tells the tale of traditional adventure – revenge, no holds barred action, and twists that would rival an M. Knight Shyamalan movie. Taking place shortly after the events of Dark Mirror, Gabe and his team must take on another terrorist group. What makes it even more interesting is that the weapon the terrorist group is threatening the world with is a highly coveted weapon. So much so that the United States government is not the only ones after it, China and Russia also have high interest in the weapon. The story dives deep into the mix when Gabe’s long-time partner, Lian Xing, is accused of being a double agent. Information suggests he is working for the same terrorist organization that he has been tracking. Ultimately, the Agency is closed by a bureaucrat who could be described best with a few colorful words. It is up to Gabe and the rest of his team to take down the terrorists, prevent the weapon from falling into the wrong hands, and get to the bottom of Lian flipping sides. For all of the comic book fans out there, fabled comic writer Greg Rucka co-pens this adventure. He brings his style and flavor to the series and manages to keep the pace at break neck speed. Literally, this installment into the Syphon Filter series has everything, including a nice cliffhanger ending that will leave you anticipating the next installment.

I cannot rave enough about the controls for this game. Too often, I have played PSP titles and things just didn’t seem quite right when it came to playing your handheld adventures. I never got the chance to play Dark Mirror, but if what I have heard about the controls on that game is true, then Logan’s Shadow is just as good, if not better. Everything works well with the pacing of the story. Gabe’s new additions also add to this game. One thing that I really liked was the inclusion of a pseudo regenerating armor. Not like the new craze of everyone having high tech armor that replaces the need to find health packs, or in this case, flack jackets. Instead, this armor system relies heavily on you taking cover and preventing the damage from happening. You won’t have to focus on wasting time to find a flack jacket as often as you have in the past, which is a great thing and aides the pacing of the story immensely.

Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow screenshot

In addition to the new armor, you will also have a few new combat techniques to use. One of these is the blind fire option. Instead of the usual required poking your head out of the corner move, you fire above or around the corners like a wild man and cause your enemies to take cover themselves. This tactic is extremely useful when you’re reloading or moving locations. Another combat tactic may be viewed as a bit immoral, but hey, this is war. A grapple move allows you to drag your enemies around and even use them as human shields. However, it will not be a walk in the park to acquire this extra “shielding.” Several times, you will have to follow the on screen button cues to repress the enemy’s struggles, thus adding a level of realism. A few levels will require you to take Gabe to the depths of water to show off your combat skills. Trying to use weapons other than the spear or bolt gun will have a slow reaction time that could be the deciding factor in a heated battle.

Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow screenshot

The multiplayer aspect of the game was also very nice. While to me it seemed a lot like most multiplayer, with the inclusion of Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Rouge Agent, it also included two new modes, Sabotage and Retrieval. Sabotage is an objective specific mode and Retrieval carries the Capture the Flag element with it. One of the best elements of the multiplayer is the balancing system. This system will mix up the team matches by placing higher ranked and lower ranked individuals equally onto teams. The little tweaks throughout the multiplayer will feel fresh to anyone who enters the fray of open combat in the multiplayer modes.

Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow screenshot

Logan’s Shadow also looks very nice. Logan’s Shadow is a perfect example of the handhelds carrying their own graphically. With some of the best graphics I have seen on the PSP, there is no reason for anyone to dislike the title.

The music of the game is also a joy. With Azam Ali, the guy behind movies like 300 and The Matrix Revolutions, how can you go wrong? The music is so good I almost wish there would be a soundtrack release for the game similar to other big name franchises. With a soundtrack like this, you would expect voice acting to rival or exceed it and, thankfully, it does. The delivery on the voices of the characters is another favorite feature of mine and sets the stage beautifully for the dramatic pacing of the story.

Syphon Filter: Logan Shadow’s is one of the best, if not the best, experiences you will have on a handheld this year, especially if you are a fan of the genre. Heck, even if you are not a huge fan of this type of game I’d dare say you would enjoy several elements. If you have been heartbroken by the deletion of the stealth covert-ops games for this holiday season, then race to your nearest gaming outlet and pick up this title. Even you might begin to understand the importance of Gabe Logan.

Features:

  • Havok physics engine provides life-like physical reactions on both characters and environments.
  • New and improved weapons, such as grenade launchers, sticky mines, smoke grenades, and flash bangs.
  • New character actions enable players to force enemies to take cover with “blind fire” or protect health with the new “human shield” features.
  • Underwater physics allows players to experience 360 degrees of water navigation to explore shipwrecks and target enemies with new underwater weapons like the bolt pistol and spear gun.
  • Improved buddy mechanics.
  • New mini game features, brand new to the Syphon Filter franchise.
  • All new story written by Greg Rucka, critically acclaimed author of comic books and novels (Batman, Gotham Central, Queen and Country.)
  • All new sound track featuring award-winning composer Azam Ali.

    RATING OUT OF 5 RATING DESCRIPTION 4.6 Graphics
    Great visuals. Pleasantly surprised by how smooth the character models looked on the PSP. 4.3 Control
    Solid control schematic for all of your basic needs in the game. 4.4 Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
    Some of the best voice acting I have every experienced on a handheld and a soundtrack to kill for. 4.7 Play Value
    You’ll be carting around Gabe’s latest adventure for quite some time. 4.6 Overall Rating – Must Buy
    Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

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