Metacritic Games

Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow (Sony PSP)

We find Gabe Logan once again using a combination of stealth and "run-and-gun" gameplay as he is called into action when a dangerous new technology is hijacked by a criminal extremist group. In a story that takes him from the depths of the Indian Ocean to the deserts of the Middle East, Gabe is faced with the possibility that his long time partner, Lian Xing is a double agent. Logan's Shadow is complete with a variety of combat mechanics including the ability to force enemies into cover with "blind-fire", an advanced melee system that allows Gabe to use enemies as human shields, and 360 degree underwater combat. For the first time in the franchise "interactive moments" have been added for increased player interaction, such as airlifting debris and escaping wrist restraints. Returning to the franchise are buddy missions which have been enhanced with a variety of new objectives. [SCEA]

Sony Computer Entertainment America
First-Person Shooter, Action, Adventure
Players: 1
T (Teen)
Developer: Sony Bend
Released October 2, 2007

Overall Metascore

This is a weighted, normalized average of all individual scores given by critics, on a scale of 0 (worst) to 100 (best).

85 / 100

Critic Reviews

100 Gaming Age
Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow neither looks nor plays like your typical “handheld” game, and it seriously pushes the limits of what the PSP and portable games in general can achieve. Hell, you’re lucky to find a console game so well put together overall.
100 AceGamez
If you played through Dark Mirror and hated every second of it then Logan's Shadow will give you the exact same feelings. If you have good taste however and liked Dark Mirror, even a tiny bit, then you simply must play Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow. With extravagant production values and gorgeous graphics, your eyes will adore it.
95 IGN
Dark Mirror was an incredible title that showed off the PSP, but Logan's Shadow elevates the story, gameplay and multiplayer elements to new heights. Not only does it keep the formula that made the first game so good, it smoothly improves on it.
92 Cheat Code Central
Syphon Filter: Logan Shadow's is one of the best, if not the best, experiences you will have on a handheld this year, especially if you are a fan of the genre.
91 Da Gameboyz
For fans of the series, and gamers on the go, Logan's Shadow is a must buy in every sense as the visuals are sharp, the sound is solid and the gameplay is a treat on the PSP.
90 PSM Magazine
Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow not only lives up to the high standards set by its predecessor, it actually exceeds them in many ways. [Dec 2007, p.78]
90 Playstation Official Magazine UK
Exhilarating, accomplished and relentlessly enjoyable. [Christmas 2007, p.110]
90 DarkStation
Hands down Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow is one of the best games to ever grace a PSP.
90 Gamers' Temple
Once again, Gabe Logan sets out on another PSP adventure that plays just as smoothly as his last one.
90 PALGN
Approachable controls, film-like cut-scenes and great graphics make Syphon Filter Logan's Shadow one of the best PSP games of 2007.
90 Armchair Empire
The PSP is finally getting some solid original content and this one is among its finest. I highly recommend you give this one a spin.
90 Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK
Make room, Metal Gear Solid: ballsy, tough, heroic spying is officially cool again. [Jan 2008, p.123]
90 Game Over Online
The complicated control scheme will undoubtedly be a sore spot for some gamers and to compensate, the enemy AI is dumbed down a little. Still, as far as stealth action games on the PSP go, it doesn't get any better than this.
90 Pocket Gamer UK
Undoubtedly one of the system's best titles to date, Logan's Shadow brightens up the PSP library with a thrilling mixture of remarkably entertaining gameplay and astonishing presentation.
90 GameZone
A fantastic PSP game, and one of the best action games to hit the system. Check it out if you’re a fan of last year’s Dark Mirror or if you are an fan of deep action games.
90 GameDaily
This well-rounded, gorgeous game delivers on all fronts with scarcely a problem in sight. With superb and precise controls, Logan's Shadow provides gamers with an intriguing story, a variety of environments and all the tactical gunplay they can handle.
88 Game Informer
Syphon Filter manages to deliver a very enjoyable third-person shooting experience like few other PSP titles. I’m not a fan of using the face buttons for aiming, but this game’s pace – most scenarios revolve around advancing towards cover, eliminating the targets, then advancing again – is more suited to this configuration than more frantic action titles. I also like the new advanced grappling, stealth kill features, and brief God of War-style button mashing sequences.
88 GamingTrend
If you enjoy games of the stealth/action variety, and are willing to make the adjustment to the controls, this is an excellent game.
88 Jolt Online Gaming UK
If you’re a fan of portable online gaming, Logan’s Shadow has a lot to offer, improving on Dark Mirror in a number of ways.
88 Pelit (Finland)
There's plenty of stealth action games around but there's always room for quality. Logan's Shadow is a hand-held game with a pride. Two thumbs up. [Feb 2008]
87 Digital Entertainment News
Once again, it’s apparent that Syphon Filter and the PSP were made for each other. While the game isn’t without its issues, it’s still a solid action title that actually feels at home on the handheld. Action fans with a PSP should consider this a must-have.
85 Ferrago
To be honest, Dark Mirror was so good that Sony Bend could have got away with slapping a fresh story and some new levels around the same engine and been done with it.
85 GameSpot
From the structure of the single-player campaign and the enemies to the puzzles and the online multiplayer, Logan's Shadow follows in its predecessor's footsteps like a sneaking spy. While it isn't likely to catch you unawares, you'll still be happy to act surprised.
85 Worth Playing
Without a doubt, Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow is one of PSP's top titles this year. It's beautiful, action-packed and, most importantly, fun. It's far from perfect — controls being the most troublesome issue — but its flaws hardly ruin what is, on the whole, a very good game.
85 NZGamer
Visually this is one of the best games on the PlayStation Portable - easily comparable to PlayStation 2 quality from the cut scenes to the in game models; and it plays well too.
85 PTGamers
The storytelling is captivating in solo mode, and multiplayer is still addictive, for those who enjoyed the previous game.
84 Play UK
Linear it may be but as a cinematic action game, you can't fault it. [Issue#161, p.95]
80 Boomtown
No substitute for the Orange Box, in short, but without peer on the PSP. And there’s that free Combat Ops multiplayer demo, of course.
80 VideoGamer
Slick, well produced, and involving, and most importantly it is very hard to put down.
80 Maxi Consolas (Portugal)
A great sequel and a great action game for the PSP. Even though there aren’t a lot of new ideas, most of them are very well implemented. This second game on the PSP consummates the redemption of an old franchise and of Gabriel Logan as a lead character. [Dec 2007]
80 PSW Magazine UK
Takes everything that was great about Dark Mirror, improves on it and comes up looking like the best PSP game out there right now. If you're a stealth fan take our advice. Buy. This. Now.
80 EuroGamer
Graphically Syphon Filter is impressive and the musical score is utterly fantastic, though unfortunately the voice-over work features more racially stereotypical accents than your average mobile phone ring-tone advert.
80 Total Video Games
An evolution and refinement of 2006's offerings, Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow is an engaging adventure while it lasts, with a storyline deserving of a home console release let alone a handheld. Like its predecessor the game offers enough in the Campaign and multiplayer to keep players occupied, though the niggling AI can pull gamers out of the experience all too readily, dampening down an otherwise solid addition to the PSP's library.
80 Hardcore Gamer Magazine
With a ten to fifteen-hour playtime, hidden unlockables to look for in every level, and fleshed-out online mode, Logan's Shadow is one of the PSP's best games to date. [Nov 2007, p.57]
80 1UP
Logan's Shadow, like "Dark Mirror" before it, doesn't quite stack up to the better Metal Gears and Splinter Cells, but it's absolutely worth a look for stealth-action fans yearning for something to tide them over this year.
80 Extreme Gamer
If you enjoyed Dark Mirror than Logan’s Shadow is a no brainer. Logan’s Shadow gives gamers that big console feel and shrinks it down to a portable size which is an accomplishment in itself.
80 GameSpy
If you can master Logan's Shadow's complexities, you're in for the most rewarding stealth combat experience available on the PSP. But it's a game that demands a lot from its players, and the PSP is just not a good fit for a game with such an elaborate control scheme.
77 PSM3 Magazine UK
It's not the giant leap we expected after Dark Mirror, but it's still beautiful and definitely worth checking out. [Jan 2008, p.64]
75 Game Revolution
Logan’s Shadow has a number of unique little moments, like tossing taser darts around a corner or pushing a merc into a stove, that make up a fun, portable adventure. I do hope Gabe lightens up a little at some point, but if you still need a gift for some special PSP owner, Logan’s Shadow is a top-notch stocking stuffer.
75 Electronic Gaming Monthly
If you're a stealth-action fan who's still ignoring the Syphon Filter franchise, you're doing yourself a disservice. [Nov 2007, p.118]
60 Edge Magazine
As efficiently and proficiently designed as Logan’s Shadow is, it’s unavoidably tied to the problems associated with action games of this type on PSP. [Feb 2008, p.96]

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