All On Syphon Filter

I’ve played the first couple of levels but I wasn’t in the mood for SF so I stopped playing. I want to make sure I really enjoy this game, just like I did with TOS, I waited until I really wanted to play it before I got stuck into it, which helped me really appreciate the game.

So when I do get stuck into DM, I will chronicle my progress on this site (as usual). So about 2 or 3 weeks, I just have to finish off a few other games I playing right now.

That's a good thing for you. You don't rush into it so you don't end up tossing the game aside for the wrong reasons.

Exactly, if I’m not in the right mood to play a certain game I won’t enjoy it to the fullest. A good example is the Resident Evil series, I remember trying to start RE0 just after mastering Gran Turismo 3 and I couldn’t take the massive pace change. In the end I waited about 6 months to get stuck into it, one of my mates couldn’t believe I waited so long to play such a great game.

Anyway, I’m just finishing up a few other games and it’s on to Dark Mirror. I’m really revving myself up to for it just like I did with TOS, which ended up being one of my favourite games.

Ha... I just read my first post... two or three weeks... that’s typical of me... oh well, at least I know I’ll enjoy this game to the fullest.

I would do the same.

I haven't played DM for a while now, but I should get back to it soon because I still have to go over the Mission mode to complete my walkthrough.

A quick question: I have played the first 2 or 3 levels and I remember unlocking weapons and stuff but not being able to use them unless I'd quit and play mission mode (I think). Can you explain how this system works for me?

It's quite simple, don't worry.
The Story mode is one in which you play all missions linearily, and with only the basic weapons to begin with. That's logical, when you think of it, that Gabe or Lian only brings along his/her normal gear and wouldn't have to opportunity to change it in-between episodes of the same mission. From there, he/she would gather more powerful weapons as he/she finds them on the field. Unless you're in the Matrix, you don't bring a full and heavy gear on the trip to a secret mission field!

The mission mode is designed to let you play over the missions you've beaten in Story mode first, so that you can get all your ratings (headshots, environmental kills, knife kills, etc.). There only can you choose from all weapons you've unlocked. This is more arcade-style play, and the storyline does not count for much there, hence why you can bring a full arsenal and change it to fit the mission style.

Well that was a far too long explanation only to say that the weapons you unlock are available only in mission mode!

It's all good mate, I prefer detailed explanations.

Well that’s what I thought. I like the system, makes it realistic like you said.

Right, and it still gives you the opportunity besides that to play as you wish to have fun.

What's up with the tazer?
I hear that NTSC gamers don't get it but PAL gamers do!

Can you clarify this for me?

No, NTSC version also features the taser. Well, at least the PS2 version does. I know that the PS2 version has censured the blood and taser effect, e.i. you can't set anyone on fire with the taser. But I don't know if that is also the case with the PS2 european version. I would assume it is, because the PAL version of TOS had been censured the same way (no blood).

Hmm... Ok. I've never been a big fan of violence in games so I don't really mind, as long as they don't go too far. Like Mortal Kombat on the SNES, they changed the blood to white to try to make it look like sweat, but all it did was effectively ruin the gaming experience of that particular game.

*Edit*

Wait!? So TOS had blood on the NTSC version?

I get what you mean. In my mind, it's a little bit phony to try and censure an game that is violent by definition. Assume that violence or change the whole concept. As long as it is not gratuitous acts of violence, I don't see any problems in making violence what it is (again, only if it serves the purpose of the scenario). That's why I was a little disappointed with DM for the PS2. It remains a violent game, whether there is blood in it or no. It just seems like were closing our eyes on it now that there is no blood.



Yup. Many people were upset with this and thought there was a way to turn on the blood in the PAL version.

Well that sucks big time.

I've had to stop myself from going on a big rant about how depressing that is, damn censor control boards, there are too many non-gamers on these oversight committees.

Did you know that GTAIII, Manhunt 2 and a few other games have been banned in Australia? Rockstar had to release another version of GTAIII without the ability to pick up hookers! Woman rights groups and so forth were mega sad about 16 year old boys being able to have sex with hookers, kill them and then get their money back in a game! They had to make a different version of GTA: Vice City for Australia because of this (no hookers). I remember everyone talking about this, somehow, all the mom’s of Australia found out about it then it was over in no time: GTAIII Banned! But luckily, I found a UK version in a second hand store for sale after the ban (which was illegal) and bought it on the spot for almost the full price. The extra 25 heath points were a life safer at times. Anyway, that’s the reason Rockstar hates Australia (listen to the radio in any GTA game).

I bet that this is the kind of reason that we didn’t get blood in the PAL version of SF: TOS, damn European and Aussie censors.

Sorry I went on about that after saying I wasn’t about to go on a rant, but I feel very strongly about the discrepancy between movie ratings and game ratings and I just found out that one of my favourite games is censored in my PAL version and not the NTSC one, meaning that some people got a more realistic experience than me.

It will be awhile before I get over this.

I understand.

Yet the same people who were mature enough to have blood effects a few years back are not anymore now. All kinds of strange things happen, and it's hard to tell who is responsible for this.


Serioulsy I had no idea. Although I do not agree with many things in GTA, it is still sad to see that so many groups have such power when it comes to censuring video games. There was a polemic with TOS too when it was about to come out, if you remember. Maybe you haven't heard it, but it made some noise here in Canada. The thing is: the ALA terrorists, which are now described as French from an oversea country (sorry, can't remember which one), were supposed to be an independantist group from Quebec (the only French-speaking province in Canada) at first. And the Carthage mission was first set in Toronto. But the leaders of the independantist mouvement (which is all the way pacific!) did protest and the storyline went through the modifications that we now know. I was very upset at the time and not because I think that independantists are terrorists (they are far from it and it is some sort of miracle that such an emotional matter never gave in to violence), but simply because I don't understand why these people cannot make the difference between fiction and real life. I mean, do we hear the Russians protest because they are always (still today) reprensented as the bad guys?? And if someone could complain about their image being distorer mistreat, it's certainly them!

The funny thing is San Andreas, Liberty City Stories, Vice City Stories and GTA4 all have the ability to ick up hookers in the Aussie versions. Manhunt is banned, but not Manhunt 2. Which hasn't even been looked at by the OFLC. However a censored version of Manhunt 2 has been announnced for release in the UK, so it might be coming soon.

But if you want to, import it if you have a modded PS2 or a PSP! That version is a exact port and because PSP games are region free, theres no problem.

That’s because those games were realised quite some time later, after games like Playboy had been made. For some reason the world became a lot more tolerant of naked women in games after 2003.

Also, I don't like the premise of those Manhunt games. It seems to be a game that’s all about violent killing, I heard that on the Wii version of Manhunt 2 you hold the control like a knife and have to move it about like you’re stabbing someone, so they banned it and Rockstar had to rework the game.

Sometimes I fear for my safety when I hear of these Manhunt stories :S Holding the Wii-Mote like a knive is an outrage. That simply implies that is ALL ABOUT VIOLENCE!

I agree. As I always say, violence is ok with me as long as it serves the purpose of a greater storyline. It's not ok when it IS the purpose of the game or when the storyline relies mainly on the violence.

Syphon Filter is a violent game. I mean, you kill a LOT of people. But there is a stronger storyline behind it. A game like GTA in my opinion glorifies too much the violence. I think Mafia is way better: more intelligent, more subtle. Yet both are extremely violent. I think one uses violence to enhance the scenario (Mafia), whereas the other uses it to enhance fun (GTA).

Something that is also important is that you're on the so called "good" side. But I like so here and now to see the main main character makes a fatal mistake. So they are not perfect thus human.
Using a Wii-Mote as a knife will probably make people forget that it's a game
It's true you kill a lot of people but those people you kill won't hesitate to kill you if they get the chance. You kill them to save more lifes.


I'm pretty violent in MGS games, at least I don't like to prevent many deaths especially on higher difficulties it's easier to kill them since they stay down... In MGS3 I love to use a combination of stealth and action since the incoming guards are limited it's faster to massacre them. What I love to do is either snipe them, simply rush past enemies without killing them/knock them out with CQC, kill them all, or use stealth.

MGS is another great exemple where violence is made to serve the storyline. Beside, as you mentionned you can avoid most of the lethal violence if you wish. Not many games have taken this principle that far.