If you’ve never heard of the Syphon Filter series on the original PlayStation, you missed out on a game that not only was filled with moments of intense action but the game’s hero was pulling off the same tricks Sam Fisher is now famous for in his own Splinter Cell series. While the series took something of a wrong turn for the PS2, news of the series heading for the Sony PSP was enough to make any fan of the series excited. Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror is finally here and I must say that this is by far the best game in the series and one of the finest action PSP games this year.

In Story Mode, you play as returning hero and commanding operative of a precision strike force that handles very specific terrorist threats. You are Gabe Logan, equipped with the latest technology and weaponry the U.S. government can supply as well as backed up by your partner Lian Xing. The threat this time comes in the form of a terrorist group calling themselves the Red Section. In the beginning of the game, Red Section attacks a petroleum refinery along the Alaskan pipeline. Suddenly, Gabe and company have a race to stop the terrorist from unleashing their weapon on the world.

Control-wise, actions had to be arranged for the PSP control scheme but without the second analog stick or an L2 and R2 buttons the game managed to set the default scheme beautifully. While the controls might seem awkward at first, you will certainly become comfortable with the game way before the second training exercise in the game’s Training Mode. The analog stick controls the movement while the X, Square, Circle and Triangle button are used to aim while leaving the D-pad for weapons/item selection and for crouching. You can target lock an enemy with the left button while the right is to fire your weapon. Speaking of weapons, Logan’s arsenal is composed of everything from a pistol to a knife as well as a sniper rifle complete with four different dart types (EDT dart for silent takedowns, gas dart, explosive dart and the regular Comm dart). You’ll even have EMP grenades at your disposal as well as laser trip mines, claymore mines and anti-personnel mines. You even have night vision, infrared and EDSU goggles.

Story Mode’s seven episodes (eight if you count the bonus unlockable episode) are also quite exciting to the point that gamers will certainly want to see this one all the way to the end. While there are stealth moments in the game, they hardly break up the game’s fast-paced momentum. Syphon Filter was always about action and in Dark Mirror the action is introduced early in the game. Logan has a number of take-down moves and he could snap necks faster than Metal Gear Solid’s Solid Snake. The game will take you from the remote regions of Alaska to the depths of a Peruvian village. The best part is that the game is not all zipping through the level by running and gunning your way but rather there are various mission objectives to complete within an episode. One objective has you covering Lian with your sniper rifle as she attempts to move for better cover while another has you aiding a civilian by lighting his path with your trusty flashlight.

You can even go back and revisit favorite game missions in Mission Mode. The action moments in the game are intense and thanks to the fact that you can press against the wall to perform a quick snap shot of your gun you won’t be riddled with bullets easily. The enemy in the game is smart enough to duck for cover as well so expect resistance from the enemies you’ll encounter. Another useful item is the portable zip line tool Logan uses to reach other platforms. There are “puzzles” that require the use of your goggles, particularly the EDSU goggles to spot door latches and numeral combinations invisible to you.

As far as the multiplayer modes are concerned, Dark Mirror manages to provide a very packed mode filled with enough maps, game modes and options to make for a great experience whether you decide to play an Ad-Hoc game or online through Infrastructure Mode. There’s the standard Deathmatch and Team Deathmatch and also adds a Rogue Agent mode. There’s even Objectives mode that will allow you to team up with other gamers to complete an objective-based mission. Up to eight players can play and the game handles it without a single stutter and thus making this a rich online experience. If I didn’t have to write this review I would still be locked in heated battle or fighting along side my fellow GameZone Online reviewer in Objectives mode. That’s how addictive the multiplayer mode is and believe me when I say you’ll still be playing this one long after you finish the game.

Dark Mirror is also a very good-looking PSP game. In fact, the game’s sharp visuals are actually quite stunning and show off the little portable’s graphics capabilities nicely. The character models, for instance, are detailed during the game’s action as well as during the cinematic cutscenes. Logan, for example, moves naturally and watching him run with the camera shaking just adds more intensity to the action. The game’s environmental detail is also handled beautifully so you’ll be looking at various different locales whether you’re in a refinery or in a shantytown. The great part is that the visual effects are equally impressive so expect great flame effects as well as stunning weather effects.

Punctuating each cinematic cutscene as well as throughout Story Mode’s various chapters; the game’s soundtrack is both dramatic and intensely cinematic. Really, the game’s score is just one of the many highlights of the game’s sound. The voice acting is also handled perfectly in the game and the actors that portray each character really deliver the lines well enough that the story works. The sound effects, especially when it comes to the explosions and gunfire sound particularly good so play this game loudly or wear the earphones.

Rarely does a portable action game have the goods to compete with the major consoles but Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror is one of those games that will make you glad you own the PSP. Filled with action-packed moments that are a perfect balance between stealth and a good third-person shooter game, but the intriguing espionage and terrorist hunt will keep you entertained. This is truly a PSP game worth adding to your gaming collection.

Gameplay: 9.2
Dark Mirror makes good use of the PSP’s control scheme and the result works out perfectly. The game’s levels are action-packed and Gabe Logan has enough skills and technology to give Sam Fisher a run for his money. The game balances both stealth and action nicely and the game’s story is surprisingly well crafted.

Graphics: 9.5
The game’s sharp visuals are truly a delight and seeing the game’s wonderfully detailed character models in action as well as during cutscenes just adds to the game’s overall presentation. The visual effects also stand out, particularly the weather, smoke and explosion effects. Even the environments are beautifully detailed.

Sound: 9.5
If the gorgeous visuals were not enough, the game’s sound compliments the game’s graphics with the detailed sound effects, a brilliantly dramatic score and more than decent voice acting.

Difficulty: Medium
The stealth moments are challenging without being too frustrating and the boss battles will bring back to mind the early Syphon Filter games on the original PlayStation. Whether you are escorting a civilian or covering a fellow operative with your sniper rifle, the Story Mode chapters will keep you on your toes.

Concept: 9.5
It is good to see a PSP jam-packed with game modes and game content that pushes the portable system’s limits to the maximum. The chapters in Story Mode are great enough that you’ll want to revisit them in Mission Mode. There are various unlockable extras (a bonus mission mode plus extra weapons like the FAMAS) but the reason you’ll still be playing this game for many months to come is the multiplayer mode.

Multiplayer: 10
Welcome to the reason you’ll be playing Dark Mirror way after you finished the single-player game. You can play using an Ad-Hoc connection but through Infrastructure mode, you can team up with other gamers for a four-against-four team deathmatch or in an objective-based match. With enough locales and game types this is portable multiplayer at its best.

Overall: 9.5
Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror for the PSP is the year’s Must-Have portable action game you do not want to miss. Reminiscent of the classic PlayStation originals while adding a healthy dose of fresh stealth and action moments throughout, this game will hook you from start to finish.