Syphon Filter 3

by Sony

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00005NGR0
• Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 4.9 x 1 inches ; 6.4 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: November 6, 2001
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (62 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #15,781 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Fans were surprised to hear that the third game in the popular Syphon Filter series would be built for the PlayStation. We're going to have to wait another year for the series to jump over to the PlayStation2, but that's all right, because playing Syphon Filter 3 on the PlayStation is like coming home again. You again play as Gabe Logan as he tracks terrorists, enemy spies, and the Syphon Filter virus. The story has Congress getting involved and actually trying to pin the virus problem from the first two games on Gabe and his partner Lian Xing. Gabe must clear his name and save the world again. Interestingly, the missions are played out of order, as Gabe and his team explain their past missions to the committee; it's a flashback structure that keeps the game refreshing.

The Syphon Filter games have never been for the weak-skilled. Syphon Filter 3 features location-based damage (a head shot is fatal), making it either frustrating or exhilarating, depending on how you look at it. The controls are as responsive as they've always been, and the camera system doesn't fail, which is a rarity in third-person action games. The graphics are quite good for the PlayStation, if only slightly improved from Syphon Filter 2. The gameplay is extensive, with not only the story-based missions, but also some minigames and a multiplayer option that lets you gun for a friend in head-to-head combat. Given the flashback nature of the missions, Syphon Filter 3 might be confusing for new players, but fans of the series should enjoy it, and it would make a good companion purchase with the earlier classics. In many ways the game feels like an expansion pack to Syphon Filter 2, which isn't a bad thing at all. This compelling game proves there's life yet in the old PlayStation. --Bob Andrews

Pros:

• Missions are interesting
• Graphics are slightly improved

Cons:

• Breaks no new ground for the series

Product Description

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Syphon Filter 3 delivers some punch...but not nearly enough, December 9, 2001

By 

"edhunter2000" (22 Acacia Ave.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Syphon Filter 3 (Video Game)

Syphon Filter 3...Great game, awesome graphics, it just comes up a bit short. Not nearly as good as the first 2 installments, Syphon Filter 3 agents like Gabe Logan, Lian Xing, Teresa Lipan and Lawrence Mujari take you through 19 different levels from Costa Rica to Australia and even to Afghanistan. With 26 different weapons to choose from (although you'll need the same 2-3 on any one level) it keeps the game interesting for replay value. Included along with the 2 player mode are 5 'mini games' that seem to just take up space on the disc. I would rather have a longer game with harder levels or a few more 'boss' levels instead.
Syphon Filter fans.....BUY THIS GAME! If you are not familiar with this series, start with the first installment. It could quite possibly be your favorite game of all time.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If you have 1&2..., December 4, 2001

By 

"im1wiley1" (Hanover Township, NJ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Syphon Filter 3 (Video Game)

...then by all means purchase Syphon Filter 3. BUT if you have never played the first 2 games of this series, definitely start there.

This review is kinda hard to write, since if you are a fan of the series, no one will talk you out of purchasing this one. However, I do agree with some of the other reviewers here that SF3 is much easier than the first two installments (and my rating is probably biased because I loved 1&2).

Why is it easier? Well, in the first 2 games of the series, you are often forced to use manual targeting and stealth to pick off enemies with head shots to avoid arousing suspicion. However, in Syphon Filter 3, you can pretty much run through many of the levels with guns blazing.

Unfortunately, this removes much of the strategy of the game, and forces many of the levels to become very similar. As a result, the whole "stealth spy/assasin" feel is lost. So while there are a few challenging boards and the missions are interesting, I think some of the earlier levels (ie, the one with Lian running around the city) are much tougher than the last board.

In short, if you have 1&2, go ahead and get this one. If not, get SF1 first...it features one of the most challenging levels of the entire series (Gabe in stealth mode walking through the exhibit hall).

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Like An Old Friend, November 8, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Syphon Filter 3 (Video Game)

When I first heard Syphon Filter 3 was going to be published for the PS1, I couldn't believe my luck-I haven't bought a PS2 yet, but will soon. Anyway, I bought the game yesterday and started playing it right away. (I thought is was supposed to be two discs but it is actually only one in a two-disc box.) Anyway, it seems as if Gabe and Lian-plus some other agents-are on trial recounting missions involving the Syphon Filter virus. You get to play out those missions. I played the first four or five levels so far.

The graphics are about what you expect from a Syphon Filter game-good for PS1, jungles, caves, buildings, etc. The gameplay is the same: run around, shoot people, pick up stuff, follow maps, choose weapons, complete objectives, and so on. This may not sound like such a stellar review so far, but after playing the first two games, I always felt like I wanted more. That's what this game gives you: Everything that made the first two great, but it is all-new.

In the first level you shoot out of a hotel window at people in a building across the street. You only get credit for certain people you hit-they're wearing uniforms-but everyone is shooting back at you. I for some reason found this first level to be quite difficult. I figured the first level is for training, but I actually died more than once. This is followed by the old trying-to-leave-the-building-peeking-around-corners-shooting-anyone-getting-in-the-way part which plays like several levels from the first two games.

The two-player death-match is back, like in #2, and added is a series of mini-games, kind of like the VR missions in MGS 1. You have a certain amount of time to complete a task, usually without being seen. The difference between these mini-games and MGS 1 is that all take place in one of several game environments. You can play as a number of characters-Jungle Gabe for instance; they even brought back the Bag Lady.

So if you want to experience the fun and challenge of the first two games and don't mind the limitations of the PS1, you'll love Syphon Filter 3. It feels like an old friend from the very beginning.