Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain
Score: 85% ESRB: Mature Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment America Developer: Sony Interactive Entertainment America Media: DVD/1 Players: 1 - 4 Genre: Action
Graphics & Sound: For its debut on the PS2, SCEA wanted to do something really unique and special for Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain. And, in a way they were able to craft an action game that not only stays true to the game's roots on the original PlayStation, but also manages to bring a few new twists to the genre. For the most part, the experiment is a success, but not completely. The Omega Strain isn't one of the PS2's crowning graphical feats. Though a few areas look nice and there are a number of nice graphical touches, the overall package isn't much to gawk over. My biggest complaint is the drab feeling the game gives off. All of the textures in the game are low res and washed out. This is complemented by a color palette that is limited to mostly dark colors. Even some of the street lamps and illuminated store front signs look dull. This isn't to say that The Omega Strain is devoid of any good, graphically. It's easy to tell that character models have received most of the attention. I'll get into this a little deeper later on, but one of the best things in The Omega Strain is the amount of character customization available. Your character starts out as a nameless, faceless... well, everything-less persona. At the start, you're limited to a select number of enhancements, but as you progress, you'll unlock new outfits, hairstyles... you name it. Another cool aspect of character models is that they show real time damage. Take a few hits, and he'll bloody up a bit. Get to within an inch of your life, and he'll hobble around in a bloody mess. And, for those keeping count, the 'diaper-walk' animations have finally been fixed. Music isn't one of The Omega Strain's strong points. In fact, the music is so subtle and low-key at times that you won't even know it's there. Everything else sounds great -- especially the non-English speaking characters who manage to deliver an excellent performance without sounding too over the top or like a stereotype.
Gameplay: Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain is sure to throw both series fans and non-fans for a loop. The core element behind the entire game is that YOU are in the game. No, not you as seen through the persona of Gabe Logan, but you as in whatever character you decide to make. This is handled in a very clever way. During the opening sequence, you witness everything as if it were a normal opening cut-scene, until Gabe turns and addresses you (cheesy, but effective). You are then placed into a character creation screen where you get to make your character however you want. At first, the options you are given are limited to about 3 - 4 options per attribute. These include things like hair, height, weight... you know the drill. As you progress through the game, you'll unlock new options within each attribute as well as new attributes like tattoos and specialized patches for clothes. At any time you can go back and change up your character -- which may not sound like much at first, but can become a fun distraction. Attributes aren't the only thing you can unlock through missions. One of the primary credos of the Agency is that nothing is given to you, you have to earn everything. This is faithfully transcribed into the game via a deep rewards system. Built into the game are special commendations and awards you can earn for completing an objective in a given amount of time, the number of kills you rack up by stealth or gunplay, number of successful headshots you make -- literally anything you can do in the game has some kind of reward linked to it. There are even special objectives that can unlock special weapons for your character to use. For example, during the training mission, it you are able to hit all of the targets in the sniper range you can unlock a really sweet handgun which goes into your character's pre-mission inventory. It's the little things like these that will keep you playing The Omega Strain for a long, long time. Rounding out the entire experience is the game's online option. This is the option I was most looking forward to and am happy to report that it delivers -- but perhaps too much. Anyone looking to complete every goal in the game but not looking to go online should just forget it -- it can't be done. This is the game's tragic flaw in my opinion. There are numerous times where the game seems to be built more around going through levels in Co-op mode rather than in single-player. A few objectives can't be completed unless you have a buddy along who can give you a 'boost' to a higher ledge or help you across a gap. Other missions feature enemy spawns that are too much for one person to handle, which gets frustrating. To the game's credit, you are told if you can't complete an objective without a partner so you don't lose hours trying to do the impossible, but it's still wrong to leave a few people out in the cold.
Difficulty: To sum it all up -- Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain is damn hard. Death never ends a game, nor do you have to complete every objective to win. However these will count against you in the long run. Thankfully, the game is still fun enough that you'll keep wanting to run through missions multiple times, and you will get better with each run through.
Game Mechanics: Admittedly, Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain is a bit overwhelming -- even for veterans of the series. Unlike past games, which sort of guided you along the path, The Omega Strain leaves things open. At the start of each mission you are literally dropped into a hot zone, given a number of objectives and sent on your merry way. Actually finding and completing these objectives with little guidance is rather complicated. Since there's no real (dependable) way to mark progress, it is easy to get lost. You're also left to fend for yourself on numerous objectives and never given a clue as to what you need to do in order to complete it. One mission has you trying to sneak into a Hazmat tent. If you just try to enter it, you'll be shot on site. If you can find a Hazmat suit (which conveniently makes you look like the other workers) you can enter freely. Aspects like these lead to lots and lots of backtracking. Since the game seems to be developed more with co-op play in mind, the online experience feels much more stable, and doable, than the single-player one. Of course, it all depends on who you're playing with and how well they work with others. When playing with friends who I usually play online with, the game worked out wonderfully. However, I also ran into a few games where there were people trying to show off how great they were at the game and ruining the experience for the rest of the team. It's all about who you play with, and with the right people, you won't find a better co-op game anywhere else. In the end, The Omega Strain is all about how much time you're willing to put into it. The game is long and offers more replay value than a bulk of other action games on the market. The replay is doubled if you have the means to go online. Patience and practice are the two traits you'll need to get the most of the game, which is worth it.
-Starscream, GameVortex Communications AKA Ricky Tucker
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