Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror

[finalfantasyxii]

Game Title : Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror
Firmware Required : Firmware 2.60
Game Description : Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror is a PSP exclusive game in the Syphon Filter series. It received a fairly reputable place on the PS1 console until some disappointed sequels made it forgotten. With a whole new game on the PSP Syphon Filter has regained its initial reputation and may have even upped it.
Number Of Players : 1-8
Genre : Action-Shooter
Retail Price : $19.99
Graphics : 9.5/10
Sound : 9.0/10
Controls : 8.5/10
Gameplay : 9.0/10
Overall : 8.9/10

Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror’s graphics are something to behold. There are incredible character models with fantastic lighting effects and amazing environmental structures that are perfectly fitting for the mood. To be honest, these are some of the best, if not, the best graphics I have seen on a handheld to date. It’s near the quality of the PS2’s graphics in the PS2’s first year. Also, the lighting effects that come off the guns when you shoot cause flashes on the character’s faces and make for a more realistic experience. There’s not much more I can say here other than, Dark Mirror’s graphics are what more PSP games should be doing.

The sound in this game is also very well done. The sound effects that come from the guns and the explosions are very realistic sounding and the voice acting, while not superb, is still very good. The soundtrack in this game is also fantastic. It’s very fitting to the situation and never gets too old. It’s like the music molded itself with the rest of the game as if it were two different colours of play-doh. I am quite pleased with the sound in this game and even this far after the games debut, I’m still not tired of it.

When I first heard the control scheme from reading a review from IGN, I thought that it was a very strange move to take, and I always thought it would be impossible to get use to. But the game kept getting awesome reviews so I decided to get it. To my surprise, the controls were awesome. As soon as I tried them out, I never really thought of them again, that’s how comfortable they are. They don’t take long to get use to either. I hope more 3rd person shooters or even 1st person shooters follow this suit more often.

The gameplay in Dark Mirror is tons of fun. There is usually more than one way to play each mission because you can choose to use stealth or you can go all out gun fire on your opponents. Though so missions sort force a bit of one technique over the other, there is still some flexibility and freedom. I also, think the missions themselves are clever and lots of fun. The Multiplayer is one of my favourite parts, though some tend to disagree. Being able to play a shooting game like this on a handheld online is endless fun. Nowadays it’s getting a little harder to find people online, but I can still face my friends when they have nothing to do and I am still not bored of it. This game doesn’t a have a very long main story, but with multiplayer, both online and off, can keep you playing for months to come.

Overall, this gaee is without a doubt excellent and deserves to be in anyone’s PSP collection. Of all the games I have recommended, I’d put this near the top of the list. It’s a true gem and it’s a type of game that’s very hard to come by o a handheld system. So if I were you I’d take the time and money to pick this one up. Highly recommended.