Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow

Syphon Filter: Logan’s Shadow is the kind of title you wouldn’t expect to work well on a handheld with a single analog stick – no matter how capable it is of pushing 3D graphics. However, Syphon Filter: Logan’s Shadow has taken that idea and made it eat lead as despite the PlayStation Portable’s lack of a second analog stick, this plays well.

Logan’s Shadow’s story begins after Robert Cordell asks Logan to go after Ghassan al Bitar, a terrorist he had previously pursued in Dark Mirror. Logan accepts on the grounds he can get payback for this guy eluding him the first time. To start off they have tracked the target to a ship carrying something that could threaten the world as we know it. Of course, they can’t tell him what it is; just that it’s there. So Gabe sets out on his mission to find it and take out Bitar along the way.

Not long into the game one of your partners is dead and Gabe finds himself caught in the middle of a government cover up. The story plays out over six episodes each spanning several parts with auto-saves at the beginning of each part.

Once on board the boat you are confronted by the usual duck and cover gameplay. Gabe Logan has a few new tricks up his sleeve. Unlike in previous Syphon Filters, this time around Gabe can blind fire at enemies to avoid getting his head blown off - albeit at the expense of accuracy. Alternatively, if you’re running low on ammo you can lift your head up and target. Most enemies drop ammo or guns, so refilling is never a problem. Should you run out of ammunition, you can change to sneaking mode by pushing down on the d-pad, sneak up behind someone and break his neck. Apart from the standard third-person shooter and stealth combat, Gabe has a few goggles with which to find hidden codes and check for alarm lasers.

Those are the better aspects of the gameplay. Unfortunately there are a few quirks that seem pointless – enter the dreaded quick time event. The first lot appear as you have your mission aide remove some broken ship parts blocking your way. Although these QTEs are short, they seem mundane as these actions could have been done with one context sensitive button push. That said, it doesn’t ruin the game at all but it’s so pointless it is worth noting.

This is a small flaw in a beautiful piece of gaming art, however; visually this is one of the best games on the PlayStation Portable - easily comparable to PlayStation 2 quality from the cut scenes to the in game models; and it plays well too. Syphon Filter and shooter fans alike should look into Syphon Filter: Logan’s Shadow – rent or purchase.