Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow (PSP)

This solid PSP shooter is unfortunately too much of a reflection of last year's Dark Mirror.
1/31/2008 12:00 AM | 0 Comments | Page 1 of 2

Last year's Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror showed that the PSP could be a shooter system after all. Drawing from Sony's all-but-forgotten Syphon Filter franchise, it presented a series of stylish levels, a slick interface, cover-based gunplay and a generous array of weapons and gadgets. It told a great story with a rare human element, and it had enough unlockable content, achievements and multiplayer support to keep it going long after the story was over.

Now, Sony is striking while the iron's hot, having quickly turned around a sequel called Logan's Shadow. This follow-up has all the ingredients of the first game, but that's part of its problem. There's very little that's new, so it feels more like a competent re-tread than a full-fledged sequel.

The story is actually a step backwards, which is worth mentioning since the first game's storyline drove the action so well. The Syphon Filter games have always had silly, over-the-top and slightly adolescent plots. Imagine if Tom Clancy wrote comic books or if Metal Gear was a bit more coherent -- that's a Syphon Filter for you. But whereas last year's Dark Mirror had a sense of focus, dredging up secrets from the lead character's past, Logan's Shadow plunges into a desultory collection of political factions and subplots, all revolving around a peripheral character who doesn't even appear until the end of the game.

The actual gameplay and engine are almost identical to Dark Mirror, relying on the tried-and-true cover dynamics. Ever since the original PlayStation game in 1999, Syphon Filter has been about using cover rather than running and gunning. Gears of War and Rainbow Six: Vegas are Johnnies-come-lately when it comes to ducking behind a low wall and popping up to deliver the perfect headshot. Whether you're escaping from a Siberian prison, trying to drive terrorists off a ship, or escorting a tank through canyons, the levels play roughly the same: duck, shoot, duck, shoot, duck, shoot, repeat.

This might get a little old if Syphon Filter didn't do such a good job of providing you with different weapons and gadgets. The lead character is a veritable mule for the sheer amount of equipment he can tote: a primary gun, a secondary gun, a sniper rifle, a sidearm, grenades, a combat knife, a taser, three types of fancy goggles and a flashlight. The guns, modeled on real-world weapons, vary enough to keep thing interesting. One gun might have more kick, but another has a better scope. Some weapons let you lock onto your target, and others are perfect for lining up headshots. Some are silenced, and others make a big boom. Then there's the sniper rifle, which has different types of darts: a non-lethal taser dart, a dart that erupts in a cloud of knock-out gas, and a manually detonated explosive dart.

The different view modes with your various goggles are actually useful throughout the game. One lets you see where your objective is, as well as any interactive bits of the environment. Another lets you see enemies through walls, which is great for making your way through the level without running into any nasty surprises around the next corner. This is a game that gives you a big bag of tools and rewards you for using them.

The main new trick in Logan's Shadow is water. There are new water effects here and, by golly, this game is going to put 'em to work. In fact, you're soaking in them! There are frequent swimming levels and even a whole stretch of the game that takes place underwater. These areas mainly demonstrate that having full freedom of movement in all directions might not be the best idea given Syphon Filter's controls and pacing. But that doesn't stop Logan's Shadow from dumping you into the drink whenever it gets a chance.