The Best Syphon Filter Video Games

At one point, Syphon Filter was the PlayStation brand’s pride and joy. It was one of the most popular stealth action series, with protagonist Gabe Logan even being namedropped in Metal Gear Solid 3’s Snake vs Monkey mode. Within a decade, however, it had fizzled out. The final entry, Logan’s Shadow, launched in 2007; since then, the only update on the series has been a Days Gone easter egg implying it’s set in the same universe.

In 2015, ex-Bend Studio employee Athey Moravetz confirmed that there would be no sequel, citing low sales and creative burnout. While Syphon Filter’s time in the sun was short-lived, it was a consistent series with some great games: here they are, ranked by quality.

7 Syphon Filter: Combat Ops

The question that comes to mind regarding Combat Ops is why exactly it exists. Dark Mirror and Logan’s Shadow already had substantial online multiplayer, and Combat Ops had little to offer as a standalone, PSN-exclusive title.

There were map editing features and battle presets, but few would engage with these mechanics in a PSP game: they were just far too cumbersome to use. Combat Ops was a failed experiment at a time when companies were still experimenting with smaller titles to pad out their digital services.

As an online-only title with no single-player component, Syphon Filter: Combat Ops is no longer playable. Its online features were shut down in 2012, and the game is no longer available on PlayStation Network.

6 Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain

Another one of the series’ experimental missteps, The Omega Strain allows you to create your own character and play as an IPCA recruit. The game was never meant to be single-player, but given that online multiplayer on consoles was in its infancy, a solo campaign was tacked on at Sony’s request.

Not only are the controls flawed and the levels badly designed, but The Omega Strain has an utterly ridiculous and distasteful storyline. Syphon Filter never had plots as strong as its contemporary Metal Gear Solid, but with the focus taken away from Gabe, the poorly thought-out political elements stand in stark relief.

The online servers for Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain are no longer functional; only the single-player campaign is playable.

5 Syphon Filter 3

Syphon Filter 3 came out on the PS1 when most households had already moved on to the PS2. Fair enough, so did Dragon Quest 7. Unlike that game, however, Syphon Filter 3 couldn’t justify its use of the older system. The graphics and CGI were dated even in 2001; the opening cutscene may give you a laugh due to Gabe and Lian’s unintentional resemblance to Lego characters.

Syphon Filter 3 suffers from bland environments and a lack of direction. Its redeeming factors are owed to its predecessors: the gameplay carried over from the first two entries was pretty solid for its time. Unfortunately, Syphon Filter 3 does not provide a good framework for it.

4 Syphon Filter

Despite showing its age now, Syphon Filter is still a fun stealth action title. The game bypassed most criticisms of tank controls by implementing auto-targeting and featured impressive particle effects. Gabe’s running animation and the taser weapon became memes among the series’ small but dedicated fanbase.

The voice acting is bad and the story is on par with a direct-to-video action film, but Syphon Filter still makes for a fun and charming espionage title to this day. With its release on the PlayStation Plus program, the game is well-preserved.

3 Syphon Filter 2

Syphon Filter 2 improved on the first game with better graphics and enhanced enemy AI. It also introduced Teresa, who would later take over the IPCA’s intelligence operations. The gameplay alternates between Gabe and his partner Lian, allowing you to enjoy a fresh perspective on the story.

The game also features the most emphasis on stealth in the series, where most of the other games would devolve into firefights after a few stealth kills. Though it isn’t the best-aged PS1 game, Syphon Filter 2 is the highest-quality title in the original trilogy.

2 Syphon Filter: Logan’s Shadow

The final game in the series, Logan’s Shadow is an emotional buildup to a forlorn conclusion. Gabe is portrayed as a broken, vengeful man. After eight years of writing and directing Syphon Filter games, creator John Garvin was ready to shut the series down for good. Logan’s Shadow is downright tragic in its storyline, with character deaths aplenty.

Logan’s Shadow introduces one last major feature: swimming. This leads to a slew of new and impressive underwater stealth kills, as well as some tense sequences disarming mines. This game is a decent farewell to an underappreciated series.

The multiplayer aspect of Logan’s Shadow was shut down in 2012.

1 Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror

Dark Mirror’s PSP debut was a defining moment, as it was one of many excellent titles that showed the handheld was capable of a console-quality experience. There was a robust online component, with players able to engage in voice chat and join cells. The gameplay was refined, and the controls were solid.

The story is also easily the best in the series: unlike previous entries, which stumbled in their attempts to be political thrillers, Dark Mirror features an intense and personal focus on Gabe Logan. The voice acting is well done, and Mark Snow’s beautiful soundtrack helps the game form an emotional core.

The PSP version’s multiplayer servers were shut down in 2012. The PS2 port of Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror lacks multiplayer and is heavily censored, with no blood and dialogue containing swear words muted.