Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow is out in stores now, and I've just managed to find some time out of updating my blog to test out this game.
Logan's Shadow is the second game released in the Syphon Filter series for the PlayStation Portable, the first being Dark Mirror. As such, you'll find Logan's Shadow very familiar. The control scheme hasn't changed one bit, which is good, considering that this control scheme is excellent for use on the PSP.
Apart from that, the main characters have made a comeback, with the player still controlling Gabe Logan in a third-person perspective, and Teresa providing the intel backup from HQ. I've only managed to play Parts 1 and 2 of the first episode, but so far no new weapons have been introduced yet.
Mission Mode and Career Rating is still in this game, allowing you to replay individual missions to unlock new weapons for multiplayer action.
Thankfully, Logan's Shadow introduced the ability to interact with water, opening up a new dimension of gameplay. Gabe is now able to swim and dive in water, which you can try at the start of Part 2 of Episode 1.
Weapons still work in the water, but fire rate slows down and bullets take a longer time to reach their target, meaning you'll have to lead your targets if they're moving. The enemy AI can also enter the water, which is pretty cool as well. Shooting into water also produces a water spray effect, making the water seem more realistic.
Just don't step into the water when it's electrified!
I also had a chance to try throwing a flashbang during the game. It works quite well, stunning the enemies for a good 5 seconds and allowing you to get in a few shots at them unhindered. The visuals are also well done, lighting up the surrounding area in white when the flashbang explodes.
Logan's Shadow adds a button-pressing minigame in certain parts of the mission as well. In one game, you have to press the appropriate face button (Square, Triangle, Circle or Cross) when it appears on screen. Another kind is shown below, where you have to repeatedly press the same button until it appears green.
Cutscenes before the start of each episode, done up in full CG, introduce you to the background story of the area. They were so well done, for once I decided to watch them, instead of just simply ripping them out of the game, which would have saved me nearly 500MB of space.
Whether you're a fan of Dark Mirror or playing Syphon Filter for the first time, I recommend you try this game out. It's one of the better FPS games available on the PSP, with good graphics and most importantly a good control scheme.
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