Average Customer Review: ( 104 customer reviews )
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Syphon Filter 2, both in terms of story and gameplay, doesn't pretend to be an independent game from the original. In fact it has the feel of a mission pack -- the story picks up exactly where the original left off, and the level of difficulty of Syphon Filter 2 (somewhere in the stratosphere) goes beyond the toughest levels of the original.

A couple of weaknesses about Syphon Filter 2 stems from this. First, even the first levels are intensely difficult -- there are no relatively easy levels where you can hone your controls and reflexes; if you haven't played Syphon Filter and cut your teeth on how to strafe, aim a two-handed weapon while running, reload, roll, manoeuvre, use explosive weapons and pull off split-second headshots, you won't get much breathing space here to practise it. Syphon Filter 2 is VERY DIFFICULT. What bugs me more than the difficulty is that most of the missions (especially stealth missions) are dependent not on wits and skill, but on familiarity -- for example, if you don't know already where the G.I.s in the exhibition center are, you won't be able to avoid being detected. The result is that it's nearly impossible on most levels to finish on the first try, which is a bummer in terms of story continuity. The save-game system is a slight notch above the original but still flawed. I don't understand why most game developers feel compelled to make saving such a big deal -- in Syphon 2, you can't save without quitting your current game first, and on one enraging occasion a bug in the game resulted in an entire mission being lost (I'd saved the game before the scene had finished fading in completely so when I loaded the game, the bug caused my character to "fall into limbo" and die automatically and instantaneously every time I load).

With the grumps out of the way, there's a lot of good things I can say about Syphon 2. Controls are still good (though a little better in the original), the story is detailed and absorbing, and the new weapon options (crossbow, silenced HK-5s, combat knife) are intriguing, even though the hand-to-hand weapons have nearly no range and take a long time to adjust to. One huge plus of this game is, surprisingly, the voice acting. This usually doesn't matter much in adventure games, but on Syphon 2 the cast of old ("Gabe Logan" is still played by bass-voiced John Chacon) and new voice actors was obviously picked with care, and do incredibly well on the extended, well considered cinematic sequences. The smartypants "Teresa Lipan" especially provides a spunky counterpart to the new, soft-spoken "Lian Xing". Little things like that really enhance your sense of character and your stake in their success and failure. The score, of course, is rousing and kinetic, as befits the franchise, and the "Select Mission" option in the menu has been greatly improved -- if you select a later mission, now, you won't be stuck with just 45 damned bullets for your 9mm, but will be restored to the equipment you had when you were at that level in your loaded game.

Despite its incredible toughness, Syphon Filter 2 is destined to be a classic.

12 of 13 found the following review helpful:

Simply the Best Game Sequel of the YearApr 05, 2000

When I learned Syphon Filter 2 was in the stores, I instantly put up my Dreamcast and pulled my Playstation out of retirement. I was not disappointed! The enemies soldiers are more ruthless, and the storyline is more polished. What I loved most about this game is that I'm able to use my honed skills from Syphon Filter 1 to move through the levels. A lot of people who said the game was difficult probably tried to outshoot their way through scenes and got drop to their knees. This game requires you to use your head more than the weapons at your disposal. I strongly suggest buying Syphon Filter 1 and finishing before you play number 2. Both are excellent games from 989 that helps Playstation be the best game console on the market.

12 of 13 found the following review helpful:

As much fun as the originalApr 03, 2000

The original Syphon Filter is probably one of my all-time favorite PlayStation games, so I had really high expectations for this sequel. In general, I wasn't disappointed.

The new weapons were neat, and I got much more of a feeling of really being in the game than in the first installment. A few things, like seeing "Head Shot" next to *my* head, really got my adrenaline going.

As others have pointed out, this is a TOUGH game, and some levels are just impossible to survive in the first pass. I found I had to repeat several of them, and it got tedious in some spots. More "Checkpoints," where gameplay resumes, would have been nice.

It also runs beautifully on the Connectix Virtual Game Station 1.2, a PlayStation emulator for the Mac. I love being able to play this on an airplane on my laptop.

I highly recommend Syphon Filter 2, but definitely cut your teeth on the first game before you jump into this one.

5 of 5 found the following review helpful:

No other game comes close except Metal Gear Solid-SF2 BESTApr 01, 2000

This game has some flaws but overall it is a very good game that surpasses other games in this genre. This game can be almost impossible to beat if you have not played the first one. As in the first one some of the missions could have more direction. It seems once the action gets started I get stuck in a situation that can be difficult to beat. But as you learn quick in the first one you learn quick that there is some trick to it and figure it out alot quicker.

There are not alot of let downs in this one as in the first. This usually takes up a good portion of my weekend even if it is just playing the game through again. Some of my favorite levels are the bridge and train and I must of played these at least 6 or 7 times each. This game combines action and stealth in the same level instead of just action or just stealth. Like in some levels where you must avoid a certain group of people and conflict with the other. This game lived up to all of my hype and what I have heard it is getting great reviews and many people seem to love it.

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