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Gabe Logan, the protagonist of the Syphon Filter series, owes a lot to Splinter Cell's Sam Fisher. They're both rugged, tough-talking operatives. They both serve elite branches of the U.S. government. They both work largely alone. And they both spend most of their time running around, hiding behind barriers and picking off people before they realize what's going on.

Well, to be honest, the new Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror doesn't require nearly as much stealth as say Splinter Cell: Double Agent, but it offers the same type of third person shooter gameplay, complete with wall hugging, similar weapons and special goggles to see better in dark areas and target the enemy.

Now, there's similarity between a lot of shooters, and to be perfectly fair, the Syphon Filter series predates the first Splinter Cell by three
years. But the first Syphon Filter which came out for the original PlayStation has very little connection with the current release other than
the character names. Sure there's an espionage/terrorist storyline, but the shoot 'em up interface is quite primitive compared to more modern shooters. You just basically shoot wildly and hope you kill the enemy.

Whereas the gunplay in Dark Mirror is far more disciplined. Sharpshooting is often required to complete goals and the terrains and mission objectives often emulate the general feel of a Splinter Cell game. Gabe begins this adventure by infiltrating an Alaskan oil refinery that has been taken over by a paramilitary group, known as the Red Section. Once securing the plant, he uncovers top secret information that sends him on a mission to find out more about Red Section.

The basic premise is interesting. Sure, Dark Mirror can't cash in on Tom Clancy's name, nor does it offer the acting talent of Michael Ironside (Total Recall, Scanners). But there's enough story to keep you playing.

The main problem is the game is a port of a PSP title and it feels like it. Yes, it was named the PSP Game of the Year in 2006 and I'm sure it's quite fun to play on a handheld device, especially compared to a lot of the other crap that's out there. But the experience doesn't really transfer all that well onto the PS2. The graphics are subpar and the gameplay is a little too easy and repetitive.

Often, you don't even need to shoot. You can just run up people and knock them dead with your gun and they unsucessfully try to take you out. The hiding and shooting technique is kind of fun, especially because you can aim while your hugging the wall or are crouched behind something. But getting into the position (moving the analog stick forward twice to hug the wall or box or what have you) often takes several tries and in the meantime you are getting blown away by enemy gunfire.

Still, there's a lot of different types of guns to pick up and it's fun trying out the different goggles. And since you play solo (no computer team) it's unlikely you'll get stuck on the scenery as what always happens
to me when I play a SOCOM title.

Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror
Format: Playstation 2
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America
Developer: Sony Bend
ESRB Rating: T for Teen
Official Site: http://www.us.playstation.com/
SyphonFilterDarkMirror/

Rating: 6.5/10

About G4 in Canada
G4 Canada (formerly TechTV Canada) launched in September 2001. G4 is the one and only television station that is plugged into every dimension of games, gear, gadgets and gigabytes. Owned Rogers Media Inc., the channel airs more than 24 original series. G4 is available on digital cable and satellite. For more information, see www.g4tv.ca.

Tech News on G4

'Dark Mirror' has some cracks

November 16, 2007

By Adam Swimmer - G4 Canada