Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror

LilPickle — Sat, 15 Apr 2006 23:35:18 +0000

The first killer app for the PSP

So you haven’t used your PSP for gaming since Liberty City Stories, you say? Well power that baby back up and prepare for the hand cramps, because Syphon Filter Dark Mirror is here. Whether you are a fan of the series or you just enjoy good gameplay, you’ll be happy you spent the cash for this one.

Saving the world, as usual

“Surely you can’t be serious?! Little ol’ me is going to save the world?” Ok, so it isn’t exactly original. The same stories have been told over and over again since the days of ancient Greece. But who honestly cares if it works? Dark Mirror is such a rehashing where you stop the baddies from completing their evil plans. Melodrama abounds, especially during the final boss’s monologue. Could someone please tell him this isn’t Metal Gear Solid! (Some might find it interesting, however, that some of the same voice actors from MGS are present for Dark Mirror.) Even the media favorite phrase “WMD” is used liberally, but just like in high school, once hip phrases are used by the general public, the “in” crowd wouldn’t be caught dead using it. EVERYONE knows video game violence is the new fad. The story does have some moments of glory though that fans will certainly enjoy.

Singleplayer gameplay

You’ll use a nice variety of weapons including the ever-popular tazer guns, grenades, sniper rifles with special purpose darts, and even flare guns for “emergencies.” Nifty gadgets such as IR goggles and night vision are not only useful in different situations, but reward those willing to look for various extras. Replaying missions will unlock more weapons and levels and finding all the hidden evidence unlocks different behind the scene extras making Dark Mirror very replayable. Enemy AI is good, but more importantly, your actions may allow for different outcomes of each level. I found myself extremely enjoying playing the same missions using stealth one time and Rambo tactics another time just to see what would be different. Overall, there is no better singleplayer game for the PSP–once the awkwardness of controlling a 3rd person shooter on such a small platform is overcome.

Multiplayer

Here, the game falters slightly. Online play is supported by statistics and ranking, which convinces some that this is the only part of the game worth playing. Issues arise, however, when new players try to find a decently balanced game. High ranks are unwisely given too many bonuses, allowing them to further whoop on the lowbies. And heaven forbid that the high ranks would willingly match up against another high rank… that might screw up their perfect stats. This unbalance is a major turn off for the newcomer and will be the suffocation of the online game. The good part of multiplayer comes if you are lucky enough to know people. You can form a clan to work together and help each other rank up. There is also voice communication, but good luck trying to find a headset sold anywhere (I’ve spent a month looking everywhere in a 100 mile radius). Multiplayer slightly disappoints. I was lucky enough to beta test the multiplayer for this game, and it was the most enjoyable beta test I’ve ever been in. It’s confusing to me that the final product was such a let down.

Final thoughts

The total product is no let down though. Singleplayer is excellent and overshadows the problems with multiplayer. Not only is this the best shooter on PSP, it is quite possibly game of the year for this platform. It is no question then that Syphon Filter Dark Mirror receives a well earned 5 out of 5