Syphon Filter (1st game)
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| Syphon Filter | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | SCEA |
| Publisher(s) | SCEE |
| Release date(s) |  July 9, 1999 |
| Genre(s) | Third-person shooter |
| Mode(s) | Single Player |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: M (Mature) |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation |
After the release of Metal Gear Solid in March 1999, the stealth-action title, Syphon Filter was released and promoted. At first it was known as the poor-man's Metal Gear Solid, but as short time passed Syphon Filter lived up to its own name, and was selling well all over the world. This game combined the stealth concepts of MGS and the third-person adventure style like Tomb Raider and combined them into a completely new and thrilling must-have game.
Due to the series' long, complex story elements and lengthy history of most of the game's characters, it is obviously recommended that you refrain from playing Syphon Filter 2, 3, The Omega Strain or Dark Mirror, until you've finished the first.
It is a downloadable game from the PS network, for play on the PSP.
Contents |
[edit] Story
Covert Operative Gabriel Logan and his Expert Commmunications Partner Lian Xing are investigating the location of a laboratory of what they and their Agency suspected was involved in creating a powerful next-generation biological virus, called Syphon Filter. During the operation, another lone American special agent Ellis is executed nearby after being held captive, captured carrying out the same operation. Nearby his dead body, the laboratory they were searching for suddenly erupts in flames. They could not recover evidence among the scorched remains, and they still know little of the virus. Days later, Gabe and Lian are sent to find evidence from a reported contaminated Nepal village. Gabe and Lian continue on the trail to and determine the next move of Erich Rhoemer, an international wanted terrorist. Soon enough Rhoemer and his men commenced a terrorist operation in the heart of Washington D.C, and makes demands to the government with the several viral bombs planted all over Washington D.C. as his trump card. In response, the Agency assigns Gabe and Lian to counter this terrorist effort, to find and deactivate the viral bombs and free the hostages in attempt to foil Rhoemer's act of terrorism. Gabe gets assistance from the US Army Chemical and Biological Defence Command (CBDC) and Lian who will stay in frequent contact with Gabe throughout his missions.
[edit] Plot Synopsis
Gabriel Logan and Lian Xing were on the trail of wanted international terrorist Erich Rhoemer. Special agent Ellis (a less experienced Agency operative) attempted to infiltrate Rhoemer's operation in Costa Rica, but he was discovered and executed by ex-KGB agent Mara Aramov on Rhoemer's orders. Rhoemer then orders his other lieutenant Anton Girdeux, a French terrorist, to burn down the Costa Rican plantation to hide the evidence of their Syphon Filter research.
The scene then shifts back to Washington, D.C. where Edward Benton,the Agency Chief, is giving a report on Logan's mission to Agency Director Thomas Markinson and a shadowy, unnamed figure who says of Logan, "We will wait and see what he can discover." Gabe and Lian then investigate a mysterious viral outbreak in the Himalayas. When the game begins, Erich Rhoemer and his gang have launched an all-out terrorist assault on Washington, D.C., unleashing murder and mayhem on the streets and in the subways of the national capital. Gabe defeats Pavel Kravitch, Rhoemer's communications expert, and temporarily wounds and captures Mara Aramov, but she later escapes. Gabe also kills Rhoemer's bomb triggerman Jorge Marcos. After a formidable duel with Anton Girdeux, who wields a flamethrower and wears bulletproof armor, Gabe emerges victorious. Anton burns in his flames as his flamethrower explodes.
Lab results show that Syphon Filter is a deadly next-generation bio-weapon, capable of actually targeting specific ethnic groups while leaving others unharmed. This virus is so powerful it can be programmed to target any species on the planet. The next scene concerns mysterious pharmaceutical mega-corporation PHARCOM and its CEO and founder, Jonathan Phagan. Behind the scenes at a black tie gala at Phagan's new EXPO Center Museum, Phagan is taken captive by Aramov. Gabe frees him, and he flees, but Aramov once again eventually escapes Agency custody. Also, Edward Benton is revealed to be a double-agent and is eliminated by Gabe. Phagan is quickly recaptured by Rhoemer's forces.
Gabe next goes on a reconnaissance/demolition mission to Rhoemer's secret base in Rozovka, Kazakhstan. Gabe succeeds in his mission, but his partner, Lian, is taken captive by Rhoemer. Gabe kills Rhoemer's commander Vladislav Gabrek and destroys Rhoemer's attacking Apache helicopter. Gabe next infiltrates Rhoemer's stronghold in Uzhhorod, Ukraine, which is a Gothic cathedral of Western European design. Gabe rescues Lian from Rhoemer's clutches and they escape. They also find Phagan, who is later shot in the head by Aramov. Mara decides to help Gabe and Lian, since she has nowhere else to go. Gabe then infiltrates the PHARCOM warehouses in remote Almaty, Kazakhstan. Time is running out and Gabe learns that Markinson has been secretly negotiating with Rhoemer to obtain the Syphon Filter weapon for the Agency, while Rhoemer reveals he has captured an old Soviet era ICBM and loaded it with a Syphon Filter viral bomb ready to launch. Rhoemer kills Markinson and sets the launch sequence for the missile. Gabe cannot prevent it from launching, so his only hope is to initiate its self-destruct sequence once it is already in the upper atmosphere. Gabe successfully destroys the missile over Kazakhstan airspace. Rhoemer, furious at Logan's meddling, engages him in a final showdown. Despite Rhoemer's special kevlar armor, Gabe is able to kill Erich Rhoemer and avert World War III.
After the credits finish, a scene plays showing the shadowy figure (from the beginning of the game that had been talking to Markinson) holding a sample of Syphon Filter inside of the Agency's headquarters with Aramov, who is laughing.
Game bosses:
- Mara Aramov
- Triggerman Jorge Marcos
- Anton Girdeux
- Vladislav Gabrek
- Russian helicopter KI-33
- Erich Rhoemer
[edit] Reviews
Gamespot: 9.0 superb
IGN: 9.5 incredible
Electronic Gaming Monthly: 7.62 out of 10
Official Playstation Magazine: 4 out of 5
[edit] Trivia
- A Costa Rican Plantation stage, was originally planned to be in the game somewhere, but was cut due to time constraints. It was later included in Syphon Filter 3.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Syfilpedia Syphon Filter fansite
