Delayed 'Syphon' worth the wait for series fans

Published in Suburban Chicago Newspapers 11/01/01

  Originally scheduled for release at the end of September, Syphon Filter 3 was delayed due to the World Trade Center bombings. The game is currently expected to be on store shelves within days, and it is a must buy for fans of the series.

  Syphon Filter 3 picks up after the events of the second game, with the main character, Gabe, finding himself testifying before Congressional hearings on the Syphon Filter virus scare. Unfortunately for Gabe, Congress is not looking for answers but for a scapegoat. Players will need to combat both terrorists and enemies within in order to save to world once again.

  The first thing that players will notice about the game is the difficulty level. Syphon Filter 3 is a 'super-spy' game without the 'super' part. Gabe and company are excellent spies, but they are all too human. This is not a game where you can play as Rambo.

  Location-based damage keeps the realism level in the game extremely high. A well-placed head shot can take out almost anyone, including you.

  While the realism level and corresponding challenge are sure to please veteran players of the series, new players will find the first few hours of the game extremely frustrating. There are no introductory training levels in the game to move players into things slowly. Instead the game immediately dumps players into the thick of things.

  For example, your first assignment involves taking out a terrorist and his cohorts and then sneaking out of a hotel before you are discovered. Most players will attempt to shoot everyone in sight on the first try. As a result, they will find themselves dead in short order. The key to survival is a slow, but steady pace. Players who take cover and eliminate the terrorists one by one will complete the mission without a scratch.

  Although Syphon Filter 3 is a sequel, a lot of the game is played out via flashbacks. Players will see part of the hearings and then play through the mission that was just talked about. This method of story introduction allows for a variety of level types while ensuring that the missions are self-contained. There is no need to try to conserve supplies as you move from mission to mission.

  There are a number of weapons in the game for players to use, unfortunately most of them are optional. The developers failed to require the use of every weapon in the arsenal, which means that most players will end up using two or three primary weapons for most of the game.

  Visually, Syphon Filter 3 pushes the PlayStation to its limits. The game does suffer from a lack of texture detail and a few rough edges, the problems are more hardware limits than anything else.

  Like most games, Syphon Filter 3 uses an automatic camera system. The camera works well the majority of the time, however it does have a few issues when you are indoors in a small room or hallway. When playing outside in an open area the camera is at its best.

  In addition to the main game, Syphon Filter 3 also features a series of mini-games accessible from the title screen. These games do not have any bearing on the main game, however they do provide an excellent way to hone your spy skills. If you find yourself dying frequently, this is the place to practice.

  Despite a few flaws, Syphon Filter 3 shines brightly in the PSone game library. Because of the high difficultly level, beginning players should probably track down the original Syphon Filter first, but veteran players can snag this one without worry.

Adam Pavlacka writes about video games for Suburban Chicago Newspapers. He is also a regular contributor to "Electric Playground."