
Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow
I noticed that Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow has a VERY small multiplayer community, yet it's multiplayer bests even SOCOM: FTB2. I decided to make a review, in hopes of increasing the community size of this wonderful game. Like my previous review, i will categorize each aspect of the game, starting with graphics and ending with my final thoughts.
Graphics:
Syphon Filter takes full advantage of the graphical powers of the PSP, along with Monster Hunter Freedom 2. You not only have high resolution textures (at least for the PSP anyways), but you have fully reflective water, and physics! (if physics counts as graphics lol) Yes, Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow runs a hilarious physics engine. No longer do you have to watch the same death animations over and over, instead you get to blow your friend 30 feet in the air during multiplayer. I do not know if you can call it a physics engine, but there is definitely ragdoll. I believe there is lighting as well, depending on where you are. I don't think it is real-time though, but thats okay. Things like explosions are done with great detail as well.
Gameplay:
Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow has one of the most original storylines of any PSP game i've played, and i own 97 PSP games... Levels range from underwater gun fights to desert tank runs. It's almost guarenteed that you will NOT be bored while playing this game. You have the option of playing on normal or hard difficulty, and can unlock special items for beating the game on both styles of play. One thing i noticed while playing is that i actually knew what was going on throughout the game, unlike many other games i've played. You will most likely get attached to Logan, and enjoy every little plot turn. The game is not too hard nor too easy, and is most likely somewhere between the two. Along with the nice collection of weapons you will recieve, the game does not get old for quite some time. Oh i forgot to mention, there is an auto-aim feature for new players, and multiplayer gives you the ability to create custom maps. You will get a base map, and you can choose what weapons go where, the weather, etc. It's very fun, and the combinations are endless.
Sound:
The sounds are actually very well done. The music is not the least bit annoying, and there are multiple tracks to hear throughout the game. The only thing i found strange is the sound choice for weapons. Many guns have the same sound effects as each other, which takes away from the greatness of this game, but only slightly! Otherwise, all other sound effects, from running to swimming, are flawless.
Replay Value:
This game can be replayed a few more times after it's enitial completion, allowing you to unlock some cool things. The more quiet you are, accurate you are, or faster you are, the better things you can unlock. I spent about 5 hours to unlock the modified taser, which is HILARIOUS! With the upgraded taser, you can actually set people on fire! That made it worth while to replay the game, haha... Oops, got kind of side tracked ;P Well anyways you can unlock many fun items, or just improve your scores for the missions you played through.
Score:
Graphics - 10/10
Gameplay - 9/10 (some small defects force me to give this a 9)
Sound - 8/10
Replay Value - 8/10
Total - 8.8/10
Final thoughts:
The game is a great shooter, and is very noob friendly. The multiplayer is awesome, and single player is original. If your looking for a hardcore yet fun shooter, take this over Rainbow Six: Vegas or Gun, you won't regret it! |