94. Syphon Filter 2

(Playstation, Eidetic, 2000)
In the wake of the legendary Metal Gear Solid, a whole host of games hit the market copying its blend of action, stealth and political cover up. It seemed that if your game didn't have thermal goggles, then it wasn't worth wee. Many companies, to this day, still churn out games aping (and usually failing) to recreate Snake's gravelly voiced adventures.

Syphon Filter was a Playstation exclusive title, following the adventures of CDBC agent Gabe Logan as he attempted to uncover the facts behind the viral weapon of the title.
Our post however, is about the game's sequel. Picking up immediately where the original left off, Gabe and his partner Lian Xing must run and gun their way through a series of levels and a labyrinthine plot in order to prevent the weapon from falling into the wrong hands.

Playing similar to a third person Goldeneye 007, the player controls Gabe and Lian alternately as they investigate globe trotting locations such as mountain tops, military bases, a Russian night club and the slums and sewers of New York whilst the plot follows all the usual "Trust no one" "I'm not doing anything until you tell me whats REALLY going on" cliches. Jack Bauer not included.

Whilst the game has ugly graphics and sometimes unintentionally funny animation (Gabe still runs like he's crapped his cargo pants) Syphon Filter 2 is an excellent double disc adventure, with an intelligent plot, a solid challenge and characters who are more vulnerable and flawed than those of the Metal Gear series, thus making them easier to care for.

In my opinion, Syphon Filter 2 represents the peak of the series, whilst it isn't nearly as polished or expensive looking as Hideo Kojima's baby, it still remains a frantic, fantastic challenge and cements Gabe and Lian's place alongside the Solid Snakes and Sam Fishers of the world.