Source: Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine – Volume 2, Issue 6 – March 1999
Syphon Filter, released in 1999, was the first in a series of games released for the PlayStation and later the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable. Syphon Filter is a 3rd person shooter in which stealth and puzzle solving are important. The plot centers around a series of biological outbreaks caused by an international terrorist. Your job is to solve various mysteries related to these outbreaks and to track down those responsible.
Despite being developed by a relatively inexperienced game studio and almost being canceled on multiple occasions, Syphon Filter ended up being a success, receiving positive reviews and selling well. It spawned two direct sequels as well as a couple of spinoffs though the reception seems to trail off after the first two games. The game is clearly influenced by games like GoldenEye and Metal Gear Solid but those are good games to get inspiration from.
In addition to the PlayStation version, an Android port was eventually released in 2011. The original was also popular enough to spawn a couple of sequels and spinoffs. Syphon Filter 2 and 3 were both released on the PlayStation with the spinoffs Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror and Syphon Filter: Logan’s Shadow initially released for the PSP. Logan’s Shadow was also ported to the PlayStation 2. The original Syphon Filter for the PlayStation is probably the best one to have, or perhaps Syphon Filter 2 (or both if you decide you like the first one you try but you might as well start with the first).
The above ad is from the March 1999 issue of the Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine.
