You are secret agent Gabriel Logan. Together with your partner Lian Xing, you track down a terrorist named Erich Rhoemer. When contact with fellow agent Ellis is lost, "The Agency" (a covert US investigation bureau) dispatches their best operative, Logan, to find him. Logan learns of a deadly virus, code-named "Syphon Filter" and Rhoemer's evil scheme to use it. Thacking down his trail the game transports you to exciting places and ventures, all with highly varied environments, from the snowy mountaintops of Nepal, to tropical rainforests and in Washington DC. Tables turn and Logan realizes that "The Agency" director Thomas Markinson and his subordinates, did not reveal all information to him. He must uncover how deep the rabbit hole goes while simultaneously stop Rhoemer and his goons.
I find the story mature and well structured. Intriguing cast of characters, coupled with top direction & excellent pacing you will find the game riveting. Not once does the game stop you from being intrigued. The many cinematics are nicely depicted (FMV), further immersing you into the story. The combat system is highly enjoyable and the controls are decent. Boss battles are exciting and hard, to say the least. Each boss has some weakness that you must find and exploit to defeat him. This weakness isn't obvious at all. You start thinking of alternative ways only after you've failed and died aplenty. Each boss has a unique style and character making them memorable, requiring a tactical approach to confront them, instead of going full guns blazing and hope for the best. The action styled UI will never confuse you. You control the character from a third person perspective. Graphics were amazing at release time (I remember being blown away when I played it first in ~2001). This is more of an action game, rather than a stealth game, but there are many game levels in which stealth is absolutely essential. The stealth system isn't as thorough as other games, like MGS, or Splinter Cell, but it's there, it's decent and additive to the experience. You progress the game through a lengthy amount of missions (each "mission" is a game level). In most of them you assume the role of Logan, while in a few others you play as Lian Xing.
You have to notice a certain amount of detail placed upon everything, from the environment to animation, to generic dialogue and muzzle flashes. The weapons (the tazer!) all immersive, nothing too excessive, in the game's setting and timeline (1999). I find myself that the more I investigate and learn more about the game the more I learn things from it as I grow up. Little things that are there and you probably wouldn't expect from such a game. It plays like an action packed, espionage movie, with engaging environments and highly entertaining gunplay/gameplay.
Of course, I can't review this game without speaking about the soundtrack. The original score is absolutely fantastic. It has a 90s fast-pased synth, electro vibe to it. Part stealthy, part hackery, All badass! It is captivating after so many years and it remains in my dreams ever since.
A true accomplishment by 989 Studios, even though they experienced a lot of technical difficulties as they hadn't before worked before on such a type of video game. I remember when my Dad bought this game for PS1 and we played it both together. It has been one of my fondest memories of my life that I will treasure forever. Even if you haven't played it before, I am sure you will be pleasantly surprised if you decide to get it now and I recommend you do so. The video game did sell well spawning a series of sequels, but not as good as it could have, possibly due to it being rivalled by Metal Gear Solid also released just a little while before this one.
5/5 story & characters
4/5 graphics
5/5 audio & soundtrack
4/5 gameplay
4/5 length & replayability
Rating: 9/10 - Amazing
