Syphon Filter 2

by Sony Computer Entertainment

Product Details

• ASIN: B00004R9IG
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.5 x 5 inches ; 4.8 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (104 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #12,284 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

Editorial Review

Although it's not nearly as well crafted as Metal Gear Solid, Syphon Filter 2 will definitely appeal to those looking for something more than your basic shoot-'em-up. The gritty espionage plot here is a continuation from the original game, with players once again controlling Gabe Logan and, for the first time, Lian Xing, two operatives on the lam from their former outfit, the Agency.

Syphon Filter 2 is broken up into missions bridged by cinematic story sequences; players must successfully complete each mission's objectives in order to progress to the next one. While gameplay is rigidly linear, there's great variety in the mission objectives, 3-D environments, and weapons/equipment of each mission.

Not a game for the easily frustrated, Syphon Filter 2 involves a lot of trial-and-error replay, along with the requisite cursing and throwing of the controller. While each mission objective is clearly stated, many of them aren't as straightforward as one would think. A vague control scheme--your character can jump, but there's no jump button--along with the fact that it's really easy to die add more fuel to one's ire. --Joe Hon

Pros:

• Gritty espionage plot
• Variety of mission objectives, 3-D environments, weapons, and equipment

Cons:

• Frustrating trial-and-error gameplay and vague control scheme
• Poorly designed two-player split-screen mode

Product Description

Syphon Filter 2 Special agent Lian Xing has been infected with the Syphon Filter virus and Gabe Logan must find the antidote. However, Gabe is a marked man, having been blamed for the release of the virus in the first place. Help him travel across the world and save Lians life. Luckily, Logan is a sharpshooter and can take out any enemy with a shot to the head. If killing the computer drones becomes unsatisfying, you can challenge your friends to a Death match. It's up to you to save Lian in SYPHON FILTER 2.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Please, quit your whining., March 20, 2000

By A Customer

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Syphon Filter 2 (Video Game)

It is increasingly difficult to read the reviews on this page, mostly because they are absolutely inane. When looking at a review, I want to know if the game was fun, if the gameplay was tight, how good the story was, and whether or not the graphics and sound added to the game. Since I have played Syphon Filter 2, I will let everyone out there know that yes, this game is fun. The level of difficulty is fairly high, and many times you will have to go through a level a number of times to pass it. But really, would you want to spend your money on a game that you can take out in one night? The story is very effectively laid into the game with in-game movies and voice-overs. The graphics, while not the best on the market, are very solid and add to the feel of the game. The sound, including the great soundtrack, is wonderful. And the controls, which can take a while to learn if you didn't play the original (I didn't), are solid. All in all, this is a fantastic game that will be challenging for anyone who is looking for an exciting game to play.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Newcomers need not apply., March 26, 2000

By A Customer

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Syphon Filter 2 (Video Game)

A warning: If you haven't mastered the first Syphon Filter, this game will prove an extremely difficult one.

Syphon Filter 2, both in terms of story and gameplay, doesn't pretend to be an independent game from the original. In fact it has the feel of a mission pack -- the story picks up exactly where the original left off, and the level of difficulty of Syphon Filter 2 (somewhere in the stratosphere) goes beyond the toughest levels of the original.

A couple of weaknesses about Syphon Filter 2 stems from this. First, even the first levels are intensely difficult -- there are no relatively easy levels where you can hone your controls and reflexes; if you haven't played Syphon Filter and cut your teeth on how to strafe, aim a two-handed weapon while running, reload, roll, manoeuvre, use explosive weapons and pull off split-second headshots, you won't get much breathing space here to practise it. Syphon Filter 2 is VERY DIFFICULT. What bugs me more than the difficulty is that most of the missions (especially stealth missions) are dependent not on wits and skill, but on familiarity -- for example, if you don't know already where the G.I.s in the exhibition center are, you won't be able to avoid being detected. The result is that it's nearly impossible on most levels to finish on the first try, which is a bummer in terms of story continuity. The save-game system is a slight notch above the original but still flawed. I don't understand why most game developers feel compelled to make saving such a big deal -- in Syphon 2, you can't save without quitting your current game first, and on one enraging occasion a bug in the game resulted in an entire mission being lost (I'd saved the game before the scene had finished fading in completely so when I loaded the game, the bug caused my character to "fall into limbo" and die automatically and instantaneously every time I load).

With the grumps out of the way, there's a lot of good things I can say about Syphon 2. Controls are still good (though a little better in the original), the story is detailed and absorbing, and the new weapon options (crossbow, silenced HK-5s, combat knife) are intriguing, even though the hand-to-hand weapons have nearly no range and take a long time to adjust to. One huge plus of this game is, surprisingly, the voice acting. This usually doesn't matter much in adventure games, but on Syphon 2 the cast of old ("Gabe Logan" is still played by bass-voiced John Chacon) and new voice actors was obviously picked with care, and do incredibly well on the extended, well considered cinematic sequences. The smartypants "Teresa Lipan" especially provides a spunky counterpart to the new, soft-spoken "Lian Xing". Little things like that really enhance your sense of character and your stake in their success and failure. The score, of course, is rousing and kinetic, as befits the franchise, and the "Select Mission" option in the menu has been greatly improved -- if you select a later mission, now, you won't be stuck with just 45 damned bullets for your 9mm, but will be restored to the equipment you had when you were at that level in your loaded game.

Despite its incredible toughness, Syphon Filter 2 is destined to be a classic.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply the Best Game Sequel of the Year, April 5, 2000

By A Customer

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Syphon Filter 2 (Video Game)

When I learned Syphon Filter 2 was in the stores, I instantly put up my Dreamcast and pulled my Playstation out of retirement. I was not disappointed! The enemies soldiers are more ruthless, and the storyline is more polished. What I loved most about this game is that I'm able to use my honed skills from Syphon Filter 1 to move through the levels. A lot of people who said the game was difficult probably tried to outshoot their way through scenes and got drop to their knees. This game requires you to use your head more than the weapons at your disposal. I strongly suggest buying Syphon Filter 1 and finishing before you play number 2. Both are excellent games from 989 that helps Playstation be the best game console on the market.