Reviewed: November 19, 2007
Reviewed by: Megan Dyer
Publisher
Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer
Sony Bend
Released: September 18, 2007
Genre: Action
Players: 1
8
6
8
7
7.1
Supported Features:
Screenshots (Click Image for Gallery)
Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror was a critically acclaimed shooter/action game on the PSP that garnered a lot of fans. Now Dark Mirror is available on the PS2. However, some of what the game had going for it in spades on the PSP was lost in translation as it made its way to the PS2. While still fun to play and with a new intuitive control scheme, it still suffers from shoddy graphics and lack of a multi-player mode as well as perhaps being in the shadow of the popular PSP version that had more to offer the first time around.
Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror follows the story of government certified badass Gabe Logan on an action-filled investigation of the paramilitary group Red Section. As Gabe goes about being his badass self, he uncovers the mysterious project Dark Mirror that sends him all over the globe in an attempt to smash out any global security threats. Interspersed throughout the action packed story, there’s a decent amount of character development and aspects of the main story that involve the characters more personally and dramatically. It’s not exactly Shakespeare, but it makes the story more than just a snipe, stealth and shoot adventure game, although at its root, that’s what Dark Mirror does best.
A big change that Dark Mirror offers as a departure from its PSP version is a new control scheme that takes full advantage of the dual analog controller that the PS2 has. Now aiming is easy and smooth, using one analog stick and moving around with the other. Zooming in for a better aim uses the PS2’s shoulder buttons, which makes accuracy easy enough without the need of an auto-target system. Changing through the game’s many, many weapons in the arsenal is as easy as holding down a button and scrolling through until you find what you want for the given situation.
There are several different vision modes that can also be switched on the fly as the situation calls for it, such as infrared and heat vision. In addition, there’s plenty of the usual wall hugging, sneaking, crawling, climbing and other army/ninja moves and attacks that make games like Dark Mirror so fun. The control scheme does take some getting used to, as there are so many different ways to interact with the environment and attack targets. The controls could be a bit tighter, but with some practice the controls are intuitive and translate well to the PS2 console.
Still, Dark Mirror isn’t all that innovative or different for the type of action game that it is. There are other games of this genre such as the Splinter Cell series that take fuller advantage of what they have to work with. Fans want to do as many cool spy/special agent/badass things as possible. While there are plenty of roguish thrills to be had in Dark Mirror, it felt more unique on a PSP than its competition, but is a bit lackluster when compared to similar titles on a PS2.
It's also worth mentioning that the PS2 version is rated T versue the M rating on the PSP, despite the two games having identical content. Either the criteria for an M rating has changed since 2006 or all system formats are not treated equal when it comes to the ESRB rating system. So, if you aren't 17 yet and want to play Dark Mirror the PS2 is the way to go.
Dark Mirror doesn’t make the smoothest transition from the PSP to the PS2 in the graphics department. Characters look awkward and choppy, their mouths don’t sync up with the dialog at all, and for a game that obviously attempts to keep everything realistic, it certainly doesn’t look it despite valiant efforts. Instead, it looks several years behind the times with models and designs that at times looks stretched, grainy or blurry.
The CG scenes are choppy and movement looks unnatural. While it certainly looks really cool on a small PSP screen in your hands, on a large television screen the flaws stand out like a sore thumb. Even the text on the screen is so small, you have to lean forward and squint to read it, and that’s only if you’re lucky enough to have 20/20 vision and a big TV. It wouldn’t have been difficult to make the text a tad bigger, or even better--a lot bigger.
Otherwise, in-game movement is relatively smooth and level designs are decent despite feeling a bit static and par for the tactical espionage course. There are plenty of sparse, concrete areas with pillars and cargo to sneak behind, official looking rooms with high tech gadgets blinking in them, and rough terrain that makes for the perfect place to run around in with the guns and gadgets that make you such a well equipped agent. Don’t expect anything too mind-blowingly different or innovative, but Dark Mirror is still well put together nonetheless.
Dark Mirror definitely shines when it comes to this department, whether we’re talking about the PSP or PS2 version. The voice acting is very well done. Each character is given a fitting voice actor and the dialog sounds smooth and natural, even if the characters certainly don’t look smooth and natural. Gabe Logan’s gruff voice fits his unemotional and distant demeanor perfectly for example. When characters talk, you get the impression that the dialog could come straight from a movie. It’s a nice and necessary touch to a game that strives for intensity and realism.
The music for the most part is unobtrusive and fits what’s going on in the game nicely. If the scene is action packed, then the music intensifies and enhances the effect. If you’re sneaking around stealthily, the music takes a cue from that and quiets down. All in all it’s a nicely put together package that’s obviously professionally done.
One of the coolest things about the PSP version of Dark Mirror was that it had tons of replay value. With a robust multi-player mode that boasted several modes within itself in addition to the game’s storyline and unlockable missions, Dark Mirror had seemingly endless value to it. With the PS2 version however, the multi-player mode is gone; there aren’t even any online capabilities despite the fact that it would make perfect sense for there to be. On the PSP, up to eight players could play together. On the PS2, you’re on your own.
After playing through the game and unlocking everything, you’ll probably find yourself wondering, if you own the PSP version, why you bothered with the PS2 port. If you do not own the PSP version, you may wonder if you should have spent so much money for such a smaller game than the original. This is Dark Mirror’s main problem. If you have the PSP version of it, then you are getting more out of the game already. The PS2 version lacks the modes of gameplay that made its original so endlessly fun.
While Dark Mirror may have been an excellent PSP game, its transition to the PS2 is a bit rocky. Though it has a cleaned up control scheme and fun gameplay, little else has been changed to accommodate the PS2 (such as the graphics) and what has been changed (the multi-player modes missing) is a disappointment. Stick to the PSP, and Dark Mirror won’t let you down.