Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain

Fine wine improves with age.  Unfortunately, Sony Computer Entertainment can't hold the Syphon Filter Series to that standard.  Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain is an adequate attempt to re-open Gabe Logan's reformed agency (I.P.C.A.) for business, yes.  But with only the addition of a sub par cooperative peer-to-peer online feature, its really just rehashing old mistakes from the franchise's "signature" gameplay.

The Omega Strain is the latest chapter of the Syphon Filter storyline.  Gabe Logan, counter-terrorism expert, is back on a new mission to stop global terrorists and their new and deadly virus from spreading throughout the world.  But rather than seeing the game through the eyes of Gabe, you're the new recruit.  Training and working with Gabe Logan and other top operatives on this covert mission, you will gain awards, upgrades of weapons and gadgets, and climb up the chain-of-command every assignment you complete through 17 international environments.

You start off by creating your own character (optioning gender, body type, name, and other features).  For anyone familiar with past console RPGs, you know that character creation is extremely limited and almost not worth the time of trying to distinguish yourself from other players online (we'll get to the "online" part a little later).  Single player action starts out with basic training.  Right off the bat, I felt as if I was holding the controller with salad tongs.  One action button allows you to do everything from open doors to climbing over walls.  The control scheme may be useful to newcomers to 3rd person shooters, but definitely cramped my style.  Even the auto-targeting system didn't quite meet my expectations, sometimes aiming at enemies the camera couldn't even pick up.  Aiming yourself enables you to accurately nail terrorists with a headshot (it will actually tell you in words when you can do it) but it will be rare when you don't just use auto-aim.  Enemy AI is ok, but it usually takes more than a pistol to keep them from firing at you.  You have a diversified arsenal at your disposal, which continues to improve as you complete levels.

Levels contain one major objective and then a bunch of secondary objectives not necessary to complete to win.  Though the maps are large in size, getting through levels is easy when you don't dillydally on the extras (but what's the point of that?).  What makes the level system nice is that you can do them either through single player or online with other gamers and it will still go toward the ultimate objective of beating the game.

Like most online console titles, you must choose a region close to where you are located.  In SOCOM, a lengthy list of regions opens up the option to playing with people in close proximity and internationally.  When I was playing at 4 in the afternoon, The Omega Strain offered an East and West Coast server with 3-4 open games on each one.  Simply put, the number of servers available is scarce in-game.  Before playing, arm yourself with the appropriate weapon and equipment.  Four people can play together, accomplishing objectives and taking out the enemy with swift but tactical maneuvering.  The levels go fast compared to single player, as you have more people doing the same job of one person.  I would like to say that teamwork is a must, but there are always those players who run off on their own to accomplish their own objectives.  Using radio communication is a must to keep your team together and ready for the next move.  However, unplugging your headset will become a norm when co-agents start singing karaoke through it (and they do).

The graphics, keeping in mind it’s all running on the PlayStation 2, isn't too shabby.  The environments are pretty detailed and though character customization leaves something to be desired and the camera system was messed up, Sony manages to pull through in this department without many cuts or bruises.   The music in this game is simply outstanding to this reviewer.  When a soundtrack gets you pumped up to playing even before you touch the controller, that's a sign the music guys did a nice job.  The sound effects, on the other hand, aren't particularly impressive in terms of gunfire and explosions but the voice acting is nicely performed.

Altogether, this is definitely not the hit we were all looking for.  It doesn't raise the bar for online cooperative gameplay and even the basic character movements made me shutter.  Rent the game if you have played the previous installments before and only buy the game if you consider yourself to be a fan.  Not even acceptable graphics, sound, and storyline can make it worth the $49.99 price tag.

Gameplay: 6.4
Nothing is up to snuff gameplay wise.  The controls are horrid, enemies take a longer than usual time to die, and it just wasn't much fun at all.

Graphics: 7.3
Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain has nicely done environments but fairly cheap character customization and a problematic camera system.

Sound: 7.7
The music portrays the haunting tone of a secret anti-terrorism agency.  The character voicing came out nicely although not much can be said about the sound effects.

Difficulty: Medium

Concept: 8
Another chapter in the compelling story of Gabe Logan?  Though a long-awaited title for gamers everywhere, its obvious this one went out of the gate too soon.

Multiplayer: 6.5
In what should be the most innovative element to the game, Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain makes a cheap attempt to broaden the gameplay and console online play.

Overall: 6.7
Sounds pretty cool, huh?  Viewers of the hit TV show, 24, will look to this game as a fully interactive answer to living the life of a counter-terrorism agent.  But what it offers in concept, it lacks in some of the major key ingredients to a successful game that brings this installment down.