© Lemon squeezer
Back in 1999, an incredible year to say the least in terms of video games, with titles like Soul Reaver, Gran Turismo 2, Tony Hawk’s Skateboarding, Shenmue, Medal of Honor, Pokemon Gold & ;amp; Money… At the time, it had already been four years since Sony's PlayStation invaded French homes, and we must admit that the many players won over by the Japanese giant's console were going to be amazed.
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In the small world of video games, the years pass… but the passion and memories remain! Re:Play looks back at the great classics of video game history. A little return to the future past, in search of your child or adolescent soul, the very one that has undoubtedly already made you (or will make you) utter the magic formula “it was better before”. And if it were true…? So we blow into the cartridge, let's go for Re:Play!
Syphon Filter, the other (nice) surprise of summer 1999
The summer of 1999 was rich for PlayStation owners. Not only were they able to enjoy the excellent (extreme) Driver, but it was also the time of a certain V-Rally 2, without forgetting the # 8217;scary Silent Hill. And without warning, a game which was not at all (or very little) expected will experience real success with players via enormous word of mouth. This game (and you guessed it) is Siphon Filter.
© Stéphane Ficca/Press -citron.net
Indeed, unlike other titles (who said Metal Gear Solid ?), Siphon Filter will not benefit from any “hype” in the magazines of the time. Certainly, we see it in certain magazines launched before the summer of 1999, but the game does not arouse any enthusiasm. The July/August edition of PlayStation Magazine gives its coverage to the game us on July 9, 1999), and who then received a modest 7/10.
© 989 Studios
Story-wise, Siphon Filter places us in the shoes of Gabriel (Gabe) Logan, a James Bond-style secret agent, but with the discretion of John McClane. Visually, it is a game “toutentroisdé” Tomb Raider style, with a slightly old-fashioned side. The staging is done in a Hollywood style, with cutscenes (and dubbing entirely in French) and communications similar to those of Metal Gear Solid, via the codec.
© 989 Studios
Here we play an agent of a secret American firm, the Agency, who will have to collaborate with his partner Lian Xing, another agent. The story begins when Elis, an undercover agent investigating in South America, is captured and executed by Mara Aramov, a hitwoman under the orders of a shadowy German terrorist. You feel them like the 90s?
© 989 Studios
At first glance, with its cheesy side and ultra fierce competition, it's difficult for this Syphon Filter to compete with the other titles launched at the same time on PlayStation.
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© Stéphane Ficca/Presse-citron.net
Yet, and despite a 3D that was already aging at the time, the game by 989 Studios (previously working on Cool Boarders 3 and 4 in particular) is still very popular. proves very pleasant to play, quite addictive even, despite a very poorly balanced difficulty, the fault of very distant checkpoints…
Uninhibited action and incredible word of mouth
Inspired by various video games, but also by films (the James Bond side of certain missions) of the time, Siphon Filter is a totally uninhibited action game, with a simple story, but also (and above all) innovative gunfights, with a lock system, or the possibility of performing headshots by switching to FPS view.
© 989 Studios
Better yet, Gabe has a taser that allows you to discreetly electrocute enemies… and make them go up in smoke when you keep it activated for several seconds. Cruel yes… but terribly enjoyable! Siphon Filter will also be launched in a very particular context for video games, with violence then much criticized. Siphon Filter is also not recommended for under 18s, unlike Silent Hill or Metal Gear Solid (to cite games launched at the same period), which are intended for “15 years and over“.
© 989 Studios
Despite an old-fashioned side, Siphon Filter also brought some very successful game mechanics. What a pleasure to break glass doors by rolling, before opening fire on the enemy (or tasering him) or even this very dynamic, very successful aiming system. Added to this is a more than honorable lifespan, helped by the difficulty of certain missions.
© 989 Studios
So certainly, the game is very average visually, with very “square” and numerous technical imperfections, but Siphon Filter will then benefit from impressive word of mouth, with a game that is difficult to put down once the first mission is launched. It's simple (even simplistic), effective, dynamic, it goes straight to the essential, and it's undoubtedly precisely what many players were looking for at the time . Note that the popularity of the game was also boosted at the time through a playable demo then distributed for free (via certain magazines in particular).
Syphon Filter, a first seminal opus… and forgotten sequels ?
Siphon Filter quickly became an essential part of the PlayStation, and two sequels were launched on the first generation of Sony consoles, in 2000 and 2001 respectively. If some were counting on a Siphon Filter when the PS2 was released, they would ultimately have to wait until 2004 to see The Omega Strain land (which relied on a multiplayer component, while putting aside Gabe or even Lian…), but the recipe does not work, and the game will be received very (very) coldly by the press as by the players.
© SIE
The series will then infiltrate three times on Sony's small portable console, the PSP, with Dark Mirror, Logans’ Shadow (both also ported to PS2), without forgetting Combat Ops. It remains to be seen whether Gabe Logan will one day return to our PlayStation consoles through a brand new opus worthy of the name.
And you, did you play the first Siphon Filter in 1999 or not ?
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