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SYPHON FILTER: DARK MIRROR (PS2)
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Publisher: Sony.
Developer: Bend Studio. Released: November 2007 (Europe). Genre: Action/Adventure. Other versions: PSP. Posted 7th March 2022. By Tom Clare © 2022 |
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As a general rule of thumb, The Pixel Empire aims to cover first-party releases on their original platforms. This is often the fairest gauge of a project: in the context of its debut, particularly if the game was developed with specific hardware in mind. For Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror, that format was the PSP. However, there’s a burgeoning sense of recognition amongst gamers for quality ports, many of which (like the PS2 version of Silent Hill: Shattered Memories) garner little attention. For Bend Studio’s excellent (and largely overlooked) PlayStation 2 port, we’re more than happy to make an exception. Improved presentation and that all-important second analogue stick help elevate their action thriller to spectacular new highs.
Gabe Logan, Lian Xing and co. returned for another dose of third-person international espionage. This time, they’re hot on the heels of another deadly viral weapon, a nerve gas codenamed Project Dark Mirror. After the bumbling misstep that was 2004’s Omega Strain, Dark Mirror takes a giant leap in the right direction. Gone are the muddled, bloated level designs and awkward controls. In their place, an adventure that sees Syphon Filter altogether modernised yet truly in its element. Explosions, ambushes, subterfuge, betrayal, ominous Soviet-throwback villains and the obligatory Logan-versus-tank sequence. It’s all here. The only thing missing is the ‘HEAD SHOT’ tracer so iconic of the original trilogy.
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Fans will be pleased to note the return of Gabe, Lian and a host of spy-friendly, globe-hopping locations
The twin-stick control scheme is key, transforming the slightly crowded layout of the handheld version into something far more intuitive. Once you’ve turned up the analogue sensitivity, it plays like a dream. Levels are shorter, sharper and more compact than we’re used to from the series, but this is no bad thing: locations come packed with cool touches and Dark Mirror isn’t a brief campaign. What functioned effectively on PSP works fantastically well on PlayStation 2. It’s arguably the first Syphon Filter outing to strike a good balance between its stealth and its action. Part of this success is down to the interchangeability of the two states. Transitions are smooth and stealth can be employed to some degree in nearly every level. Crucially, this doesn’t affect gameplay momentum, unlike the rather gruelling sneaking sections near the beginning of Syphon Filter 2.
Everything comes together so well. The shooting is really strong and well-designed levels make the most of the platforming element, as rewards and secrets encourage the player to return and tackle them in different ways. At times, it’s enthralling, as much for the intrigue of where its varied locations will take you next and what design surprises it’s keeping up its sleeve.
Everything comes together so well. The shooting is really strong and well-designed levels make the most of the platforming element, as rewards and secrets encourage the player to return and tackle them in different ways. At times, it’s enthralling, as much for the intrigue of where its varied locations will take you next and what design surprises it’s keeping up its sleeve.
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There are myriad ways to tackle even the shortest of levels. Gabe comes loaded with some awesome kit. He can employ EDSU goggles to highlight all manner of interactive points in the scenery. These offer helpful hints as to destructible scenery and give warning to the locations of deadly trip mines. In addition, you can route out surveillance bugs and collectable hidden evidence, whilst locks can be removed through a well-aimed pistol shot. Dark Mirror rewards lateral thinking with a hoard of inspired little touches. One scenario sees Gabe sneaking through a room with two guards attempting to fix a television that’s on the blip. He can shoot them, or go for a couple of silent kills. But that’s no fun. Instead, plant an explosive dart in the TV before clicking its remote, duly conjuring a load of static. Puzzled, the guards move towards the screen, leaving Logan to detonate from a safe distance, bagging two kills for the price of one.
Elsewhere, an ally is held hostage inside a building. Gabe can’t enter without being seen and his view is obscured by a curtain. Infrared goggles are the answer: revealing the heat signals of both the hostage and the unwitting foe. There’s a dash of Die Hard as you save a couple from an elevator that’s about to plummet and it wouldn’t be Syphon Filter without Logan single-handedly battling a tank. Those aforementioned EDSU goggles come in handy, highlighting the armour’s weak points. In true Syphon Filter spirit, there are very few scenarios that limit the player to just a single course of action.
Elsewhere, an ally is held hostage inside a building. Gabe can’t enter without being seen and his view is obscured by a curtain. Infrared goggles are the answer: revealing the heat signals of both the hostage and the unwitting foe. There’s a dash of Die Hard as you save a couple from an elevator that’s about to plummet and it wouldn’t be Syphon Filter without Logan single-handedly battling a tank. Those aforementioned EDSU goggles come in handy, highlighting the armour’s weak points. In true Syphon Filter spirit, there are very few scenarios that limit the player to just a single course of action.
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The platforming has long been an underrated characteristic of the series. Once again, the ability to climb, shimmy and crawl grants Dark Mirror greater possibilities for exploration than its action contemporaries. Gabe’s endearing wobbly run is finally consigned to the past. In its place we have a very solid control scheme that includes an impressive peek-and-cover system. Bend Studio have greatly expanded the presence of cooperative NPC characters, something hinted at in Syphon Filter 3. Many sixth-generation games were held back by haphazard friendly AI that had a knack for inviting harm. Dark Mirror’s comrades are pretty adept however, their scenarios pleasingly diverse. Sometimes, it’s just simple things, like coordinating the pulling of levers. Other times, it’s shining a torch to help a UN soldier cross treacherous ground, or joining forces in a firefight. Here, the player can issue a couple of commands via the tap of a button, requesting your partner advance or seek cover. This works well because it doesn’t overcomplicate things, helping lend missions that bit more of a human element.
This elaborate thriller unfolds over seven episodes and more than twenty missions. Impressively, there are five unlockable levels, the pick of the bunch being a short sniping mission that sees the player tasked with killing (presumably for good, this time) series foe Mara Aramov. Even the training sections are excellent, rewarding speed and proficiency with unlockable weaponry. The evolution of the story deserves credit. Whilst there are still crowd-pleasing, hammy one-liners, Dark Mirror carries a more nuanced, sombre tone. Gabe’s state of mind becomes a focal point as his mission descends into a bitter vendetta. The final confrontation sees the antagonist taunting him with the names of those he let die throughout previous instalments.
This elaborate thriller unfolds over seven episodes and more than twenty missions. Impressively, there are five unlockable levels, the pick of the bunch being a short sniping mission that sees the player tasked with killing (presumably for good, this time) series foe Mara Aramov. Even the training sections are excellent, rewarding speed and proficiency with unlockable weaponry. The evolution of the story deserves credit. Whilst there are still crowd-pleasing, hammy one-liners, Dark Mirror carries a more nuanced, sombre tone. Gabe’s state of mind becomes a focal point as his mission descends into a bitter vendetta. The final confrontation sees the antagonist taunting him with the names of those he let die throughout previous instalments.
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There's a little bit of everything. A few more Lian Xing levels would have been nice, though
Airbases, snowfields, towns, silos. All classic SF fare and they enjoy a nice bump in visual quality over the portable outing, whilst characters represent a decent step forward from Omega Strain. There’s a nice helping of FMVs lending it that blockbuster feel and though they’re not the absolute strongest on PS2, it’s come a long way from the days of the infamous square heads. The audio is another strength that has sustained, with suitably rip-roaring action themes mixing with the token tension-building thrums and off-key piano notes that remain iconic of the series.
Three difficulty settings ensure there’s a sturdy challenge awaiting those who want their action old-school tough. Whilst difficulty has often been a sticking point for fans (regularly complaining that instalments were too hard or too easy), Dark Mirror should present no such worries. The guns and the gadgets are fantastic, the level design constantly creative and persistently rewarding. It was never one to grab headlines, but Bend Studio’s port is one of the most satisfying and multi-faceted action games of its time. Even Bond couldn’t do it better.
Three difficulty settings ensure there’s a sturdy challenge awaiting those who want their action old-school tough. Whilst difficulty has often been a sticking point for fans (regularly complaining that instalments were too hard or too easy), Dark Mirror should present no such worries. The guns and the gadgets are fantastic, the level design constantly creative and persistently rewarding. It was never one to grab headlines, but Bend Studio’s port is one of the most satisfying and multi-faceted action games of its time. Even Bond couldn’t do it better.
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VERDICT
"Improved presentation and that all-important second analogue stick help elevate Dark Mirror to spectacular new highs...one of the most satisfying, multi-faceted action games of its time. Even Bond couldn’t do it better." OVERALL: 9/10 |