Control features push 'Dark Mirror' to the top
Every time I play a game on the PSP it reaffirms my love for a system on-the-go -- especially with games like "Dark Mirror," which push the limits of the portable's abilities.
Beautifully drawn and highly interactive, this latest "Syphon Filter" PSP-only venture features Black Box special-operations agent Gabe Logan and his tool bag of deadly tech gadgets.
As with most spec-ops games, the player's job is to perform a bit of infiltration, reconnaissance and execution among a faction of paramilitary terrorists called the Red Section. Logan must do so quickly and quietly -- all under the cloak of government secrecy. But what's slick about "Dark Mirror" is the amount of control over Logan and his team while performing these tasks.
Although it takes some getting used to, this superior design of movement is controlled with almost every button on the unit. The analog stick used in conjunction with the "colored-shape" buttons determine body movement, while the arrow buttons along with the "colored-shape" buttons allow the ability to toggle through weapons, gadgets and goggles. The L and R buttons zoom the rifle scope, aim the weapons, and fire and detonate weapons. Thank the digital heavens, and the developers, for taking the time to introduce all of these movements and combat techniques in a four-part training mission, or Logan would be about as useful as Austin Powers in the field.
Besides great control, "Dark Mirror" looks and sounds first-rate. Each level has a movie-like introductory sequence detailing the upcoming mission before dropping the player in the field. A solid operatic music score and an abundance of ambient sound are spectacular through a set of ear buds and really insulate the gamer for a total experience.
Not just geared for the bus-, car-, or coach-riding single player, the Wi-Fi option allows for online player-versus-player missions and matches with fellow gamers. Find other gamers and create an "agency cell," give it a name and a logo, and play against other "cells" for a bit of online havoc.
Additional Information:
'Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror'
B+
Developer & Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America
Platform: PSP
Genre: Action/adventure
ESRB: Mature
Retail: $39.99
