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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.
Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain

Mixed or average reviews
Based on 47 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 18 votes
Read user comments
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Game Info
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America
Developer: Sony Computer Entertainment America
Genre(s): Action, Adventure
Players: 4
ESRB Rating: M (Mature)
Release Date: May 4, 2004
Summary
The Omega Strain, an intense action game, offers more of what sparked the franchises popularity with the addition of four-player cooperative peer-to-peer online play, an innovative character customization feature, all-new features and weapons, and larger, richly-detailed, intense international environments. Featuring a lethal arsenal of all-new, high-tech weaponry and sophisticated gunplay, players can take on hostile terrorists alone or band together with up to three other agents online to combat world terror as a team.
Also On Metacritic
GAMES: Syphon Filter Syphon Filter 3
Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central
Also On The Web: BonusStage Preview Gamer's Pulse Preview Games Domain Preview GameSpot Preview GameSpy Preview IGN Hands-On Official Website PSX Nation Preview TechTV Preview
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Stuff
A chunky online component will keep you coming back for more than just the 40 or so hours of solo game play.
Read Full Review >PSX Nation
The best game in the series since the original. Online or off, the game has plenty of replay value, tons of weapons and cool levels and a player customization feature that rules. Don't be put off by the controls because they actually rock.
Read Full Review >Game Informer
Some of the missions are a bit ambiguous, the respawn ponts don't work as well as they should, and the visuals really haven't evolved too much since the previous installment, but as a whole, The Omega Strain emerges as one of the PS2's most irrresistable online titles. [May 2004, p.98]
Read Full Review >Computer Games Magazine
As a single-player game, Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain is quickly lost in the crowd. But thanks to its online cooperative mode, the game truly shines. [June 2004, p.12]
G4 TV
Even without the attraction of variable online play, The Omega Strain would be a winner thanks to its tough, smart missions, and huge rewards system.
Read Full Review >AceGamez
A first class title. At points it becomes boring and many fans of the series won't see enough continuity to keep them happy, but it's got plenty of depth and style.
Read Full Review >Cheat Code Central
The sound effects are varied and realistic but the musical soundtrack steals the show. Not only is there plenty of musical variation but it matches the moods of the game perfectly.
PGNx Media
The game falls short in too many spots and it is a major disappointment on the overall. This game left me feeling bad.
Read Full Review >IGN
With the control issues and the respawning and the floaty movement, The Omega Strain is kept in check from becoming a more immersive experience and is instead more of an arcade-style shooter.
Read Full Review >GamingTrend
What Sony forgot to do was fix the control scheme and think a bit harder about how the game was presented in the single-player section.
Read Full Review >Next Level Gaming
Somewhat of a disappointment. The frustrating controls along with some other issues, the game is kept from being a true must-have title.
Read Full Review >Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)
From the opening sequences you'll be mildly impressed, but as the gameplay drags on you'll begin to feel a growing sense of deja vu. We've seen it all before. [PSM2]
Read Full Review >Play Magazine
Would the game have succeeded on a much higher level had the focus been placed completely on either a one-player campaign or just the multiplayer? In the end, I feel like the experience was diluted for unnecessary reasons, with the game appearing to walk the fence, trying to offer a compelling foundation spread across two different modes of play. [May 2004, p.51]
GameSpy
While it's no masterpiece, Omega Strain is worth playing for online junkies who've grown tired of the endless hours of "SOCOM II." Those that lack a network adaptor should probably rent first.
Read Full Review >Playboy
Best of all, online team play lets you and three buddies dispense hot leaden vengeance from Tokyo to Yemen. [Mar 2004, p.39]
3DAvenue
The online play keeps the game from being a complete 'once-n-shelve' title but if you're only a casual gamer without the online ability or an interest in the franchise from the past there is better tactical action games already available on the market.
Read Full Review >Game Over Online
The off and online modes of play are good concepts, but unfortunately have enough hiccups to make either one completely enjoyable.
Read Full Review >BonusStage
Its a good game, but a taxing game experience. Overall, the game left me feeling like it was worked on for so long and overly tweaked for online play, with not too much attention paid to the single-player campaign.
Read Full Review >Gamezilla!
Not only is it hard to actually go out and complete the objectives, but finding your way around the levels to figure out what you have to do is also a huge pain since accessing the map doesnt pause the game, giving enemies ample opportunity to riddle you with bullets.
Read Full Review >DarkStation
One of those games that did not live up to the hype that its fan base put out for it.
Read Full Review >Yahoo! Games
If you can forgive the unimaginative AI and time-intensive design, Omega Strain stands as an accomplished shooter.
Read Full Review >Adrenaline Vault
If you have access to a broadband connection and take well to online co-operative games, then The Omega Strain might just be worth your time and money, primarily thanks to the massive collection of cool unlockables. However, the single-player aspect is so unbalanced and unpolished that the each mission quickly becomes a chore, a menial, labored process.
Read Full Review >GamePro
Espionage action games have evolved beyond the standards this series helped establish, but Syphon Filter's combat and accompanying controls remain too old-school for their own good. [June 2004, p.65]
Read Full Review >Armchair Empire
A disappointment. The game lacks polish thanks to enemies that never stay dead and a lock-on method that is only so-so.
Read Full Review >IC-Games
I just do not like these controls. It feels like you can do nothing via the weapon inventory system quickly, changing from an empty sidearm to a ready loaded one particularly slow given the fast paced environment youre in.
Read Full Review >GameZone
It doesn't raise the bar for online cooperative gameplay and even the basic character movements made me shutter.
Read Full Review >Game Power Australia
If the control had been more intuitive and the combat had been tightened up, the game could have been more enjoyable, but as things stand, most should give Sony's new shooter a wide birth.
Read Full Review >GameSpot
A disappointing package that clocks in much closer to the other Syphon Filter sequels instead of standing up to the fantastic original game.
Read Full Review >WHAM! Gaming
Doesn't quite live up to the simple fun and excitement of the original game, mainly because it seems to have been designed with its co-op multiplayer mode in mind.
Read Full Review >GamingWorld X
There is fun to be had, and the online portion is a nice diversion, but unless youre a die-hard fan, there is little here that hasnt already been done better somewhere else.
Read Full Review >GameBiz
The online mode makes up for some of the problems with Omega Strain, but if you don't have the PS2 adapter, or not a fan of the series, there is very little for you in the game.
Read Full Review >Gamers' Temple
A frustrating game when played solo that becomes a divide and conquer race through almost puzzle-like missions when played online.
Read Full Review >Electronic Gaming Monthly
Straightforward run-and-gun action gets the blood pumping...Until you have to stop to check the map, which is all the time. That's a problem because looking at the map doesn't suspend the action. [June 2004, p.94]
Gamenikki
Cooperative multiplayer and the basic gunplay thrills don't quite make up for bad control and ugly graphics.
Read Full Review >Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
The story is prime Syphon goodness, with twists and turns aplenty and several very poignant moments. [June 2004, p.94]
GameShark
It has no huge deficiencies that make it a bad game, but it was clearly built with online play in mind and the solitary gamer may feel a bit cheated in the difficulty of the single-player mode. I know I did.
Read Full Review >PSM Magazine
Plays as though its developers were simply going through the motions. There are better third-person military shooters out there...lots of them. [June 2004, p.27]
TotalGames.net
This feels every bit a PSone game whose stretch outreaches its grasp in every aspect of its being.
Read Full Review >GMR Magazine
Even the most uninspired games in this class (read: "Brute Force") have, at the very least, a solid technical foundation. But Omega Strain is janky, and uninspired on top of it. The series was better off left buried rather than marred with a subpar effort like this. [June 2004, p.80]
GameCritics
It's not as pretty as "Splinter Cell", it's not as engaging as "SOCOM 2", and it features a frustration factor that's almost in the realm of "Ninja Gaiden"without the rewards.
Read Full Review >Game Revolution
While its surprising that the clunky gameplay mechanics havent received a facelift, its even more surprising that Sony has failed to include a decent single-player experience. It can be fun playing online, but if you do not get help, this virus will kill you over and over again.
Read Full Review >games(TM)
The genre has moved on, and after over two years in the making we expected more than a basic continuation of the PSone game complete with all the trappings of that generation's first clutch of action titles. [July 2004, p.120]
Eurogamer
This empty feeling you get from playing The Omega Strain will be etched all over your drained face within minutes - it's a depressingly bland experience, and frankly not one we'd advise anyone but the most committed online console gamer to even bother having a look at.
Read Full Review >GamerFeed
There's no silver lining or light at the end of the tunnel. The play experience starts and ends the same way, leaving the player extremely frustrated at what really is a broken game.
Read Full Review >Edge Magazine
The levels are so gloomy, grey and fog-drenched (there's even fog in the mall) that it's hard to see buildings in the near distance, nevermind enemies. Dark, oppressive and torturous, Omega Strain is about as much fun as a wet weekend in a Kafka novel. [July 2004, p.107]
Gaming Age
Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain easily ranks among the worst titles I have ever played on the PlayStation 2, an astounding feat considering that the game came from Sony themselves.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 6.5 (out of 10) based on 18 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Mark Henderson gave it a6:
The Game is great, I love the series. But the only thing i do not like about it is how it punishes people for not playing online. All but Three of the commendations are attainable and only 4 or 5 medal can be gotten. it should have been made like Rainbow six 3 where you still have 3 people helping you but they are controlled by the cpu.
Anson G gave it a3:
This is Syphon Filter??? If i put on an older game, and compared it to the original Syphon Filter, u could hardly tell the difference. The whole scenery in this game, no matter what level, is choppy and more like Playstation game. But i do know what or when someone in main character is killed one thing I will state right off the bat this-Syphon Filter TOS dont feel like a new SF game. It feels more like expansion pack. In this game, u take command of an agent for Gabe Logan and numerous other people. The "heroes" of the older games are now "retired" in a sense, even though they do not look as if they have aged at all. How ever, terrible control worsen an already lackluster performance for Syphon Filter. I remember when Syphon first come out on the ps1 . The great game leads many to believe that it could have been as great as MGS(Metal Gear Solid) was. SF could Have accomplished that task if somebody didnt get lazy when they designedthis game. If u are ging to "resurrect" a series completely. Stay away from this game and play the original Syphon Filters on the ps1 because that is the memory u should have of a great series, not this terrible memory that this game has given me.
Anson G gave it a2:
This is a huge what the heck? If i put on an older game, and compared it to the orginal of Spyhon Filter 1,2, and 3, u could hardly tell the difference. The whole scenery in this game, no matter what level, is choppy and more like a playsation game. But, u will not be able to tell that much. The game was mainly overshadowed by darkness, terrible controls, as well as terrible scenery, even overshadow a lackluster preformance. Also, I maybe or not maybe be a soldier in a war, but i do know that when someone was killed, their body does not look like that of someone who is prefectly fine. This mainly applies for when a "main" character is killed. Syphon Filter The Omega Strain does not fell a "new" Syphon Filter" game. It feels more like an expansion pack. In this game, u take command of an agent for Gabe Logan and numerous other people. The heroes of the older games are now retired in a past sense, even though they do not look as if they have aged at all. However, terrible controls worse an already lackluster performance for Syphon Filter. The sound were highpoint of the game, but its far from perfect. It was extremely hard to hear what the mission is supposed to be because the characters speak to quiet unless the volume on your televison is at 70%. u will have trouble trying to get backgrond information on your duties. i remember when Syphon First came out on the playstation. That great game leads many to believe that it could have been as great as Metal Gear Solid was. Syphon Filter could have accompolished that task of somebody didn't get lazy when they designed this game. If u are resurrect a series form the dead, make sure that u dont ruin the series completely . Stay away from the game and play the original Syphon Filters on the ps1, because that is the memory you should have of a great series, not this terrible memory that this game has given me. So dont let it tempt to u.
Tony B. gave it a3:
The reason I gave this game a 3 is becouse of the respect that I have for 1,2, and 3. Im not to sure if I played the 2nd 1. But I did play and beat 1 and 3 becouse of all the different weaponry and that taser. But every one I talked to said that this one SFthe omega srtain sucked, I didnt take there word for it and wasted my money on buying the game. I've only gotn through the lil training part and I've gotn a huge dis like and thats the freakn control, the camer, and what happnd to the lock on target thing that the other Syphon's had? Not to mention not being able to play as Gabe! Uhhh, It make me made just thinkn about it. I hope the game gets better as I go... Cuz if not ya'll gonna have ta step it up not 1 but 2 notches for the next game cuz that took ya'll ratings down with me BIG time.
Sara S. gave it a 3:
This game was a disappointment from start to middle, which was when I frustratingly stopped playing. As a very big fan of the series I eagerly anticipated the arrival of the PS2 title and was bitterly disappointed with the result. Not playing as Gabe was a shock in itself along with the impossible map-during-gameplay and the fact that failing an objective meant you had to start all over again. This game threw away everything that was good about it's predecessors along with probably half of its fan-base.
Gamegriller gave it a 5:
How can so many people rave about this? Don't believe the hype. Because if they actually played it they would see how mediocre and disappointing the controls, camera, and overall pace, are, not to manetion the lousy level select interface
[Anonymous] gave it a 5:
This game lost all that was fun about it. The game play used to include sneaking around, shooting people from far away, a much more interesting and challenging weapon-aiming gameplay. Now it's just a run around and shoot people game. The original syphon filter was different from all other mission games, it's not lost all it's originality.
