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Syphon
Filter the Omega Strain
screenshots
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The Final Say!
| Gameplay
9.0 | Graphics
9.2 | Sound
8.8 | Value
9.0 |
Syphon Filter
the Omega Strain
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reviewed by Andrew B
Review Date:
July 2004
Review Score
9.0/10
Distributed By:
Sony | | |
Finally, the amazing Syphon Filter saga from the PSOne has finally
arrived on the Playstation 2 and it promises to be bigger and better
than its predecessors. Syphon Filter the Omega Strain is a brand new
instalment and unlike the original games, players do not reprise
their role as Gabe Logan but play a completely unique and new
character (you) who is under the watchful eye of Logan.
The storyline behind the Omega Strain, although rather clichéd at
even the best of times once again features a deadly strain of the
Omega Virus that has been unleashed on the unknowing public. In
order to save humanity, a secret and specialised anti terrorist unit
has been enlisted in tracking down this deadly virus and the
nefarious terrorists responsible for it. Although rather campy, the
storyline is actually quite immersive and before you know it, you
will soon be thinking that you are a secret agent.
Another new addition to the Syphon Filter series is that the game is
now played as a third person perspective that quite simply looks
stunning on the PlayStation 2. Once you have created your very own
agent to which the developers have given the gamer a little bit of
leeway as you can either be female or male agent. Gamers also have
the option of adding different body options such as different heads,
torsos and even hair colour.
As with most third person shooters, the Omega Strain is a mission
based game which means the player must achieve a variety of mission
objectives before they are allowed to move to the next level.
Everything from dispatching terrorists or picking up scientific
equipment, really gives you the feel that you are a special agent
and one cannot help but feel that your character is very similar to
that of James Bond himself.
The missions in the game are also fairly large and varied that
traverse the globe (from the United States to Europe) to ensure that
the game doesn't become too boring or stagnant. Just look at the
screenshots to see how diverse the gaming environments actually are.
The control system of the title is relatively straight forward but
will take gamers around a few hours of mastering. The control system
also uses the entire DualShock controller so I do believe that the
learning curve of this title is a little on the difficult side. The
only downside to the game is the checkpoint system and if you do not
finish a mission, you will have to restart it the next time you
switch your PlayStation 2 on.
The game also supports PS2 Online for those multiplayer freaks who
want something a bit more exciting than SOCOM or Tony Hawk online
and although the game does not come with a headset, you can use your
existing SOCOM headset or purchase a USB headset for that extra
realism while playing with friends or enemies.
Graphically, Syphon Filter the Omega Strain is a beautiful looking
game on the PlayStation 2 and contains one of the most detailed
gaming environments to give the gamer that real world feel to the
title. All the characters in the game have been professionally
designed that move with a human-like grace and fluidity and match
that with some beautiful texture details and you have one pumping
title.
The attention to detail is also amazing and whether you are in the
USA or Belarus, you actually get the impression that you are really
there. There are also a variety of Hollywood style explosions and
some great in-game cutscenes to give that title that extra mark in
the graphics stake.
The musical score of the Omega Strain sounds like any decent
Hollywood action blockbuster movie and match that with professional
voice acting and more sound effects than you can poke a stick at and
you have one hell of a game.
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