Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror

If you feel that gaming on your PSP could use a shot of adrenaline, this is the medicine for you.

The time has come yet again to grab your NV goggles and rid the world of evil. Yes folks, Gabe Logan is back, and PSP owners around the world are rejoicing. Why? Because he’s bringing more terrorist arse kicking then Jack Bauer at the end of daylight savings with him, that’s why.

The game kicks off with Gabe and his partner, Lian Xing, investigating an industrial site. As it turns out a group called Red Section have beaten them to the punch, which becomes evident when bullets start haling down on them like it’s going out of fashion. Why Red Section is there and what they’re up to is slowly revealed as the story progresses.

Syphon Filter plays differently to other covert games. It gives you choice. In some cases you have the option to tactfully take out enemies from behind objects, sneak up and take the silent kill or even opt for a run and shoot option. It gets intricate too -- early in the game you’ll find yourself laying down covering fire for Xing with your sniper rifle. Pressing select will urge her to move forward once you’ve cleared the way.

Our concerns with the game’s very complex control scheme disappeared once we got used to the analogue stick acting like a keyboard and the buttons like a mouse. Interacting with the game world is done through on-screen prompts, controlled with the D-pad. Thirty minutes into the game it’s smooth sailing, thanks to the intuitive controls and the fantastic training mode.

It’s akin to the original Syphon Filter, but the small gameplay changes keep you interested and force you to think outside the box. All this makes Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror play as good as it looks, earning a place in every PSP owners gaming library. If you’re after something new to keep you entertained then look no further than this top title. Go grab yourself a copy.