Syphon Filter

Syphon Filter is a third-person shooter for the PlayStation released in 1999. It is the first game in the Syphon Filter series.

Story
Gabriel Logan and Lian Xing are operatives of the International Presidential Consulting Agency, on the trail of Erich Rhoemer, an international terrorist. Agent Ellis attempted to infiltrate Rhoemer's narcotics operation in Costa Rica, but was discovered and executed by ex-KGB agent Mara Aramov. Rhoemer then ordered Anton Girdeux, a French terrorist, to burn down the Costa Rican plantation to hide the evidence of their Syphon Filter research.

In Washington, D.C., Edward Benton, the Agency Deputy Director, is giving a report on Logan's mission to Agency Director Thomas Markinson and a shadowy, unnamed figure. Gabe and Lian investigate a mysterious viral outbreak in the Himalayas, which leaves only a single survivor; a fact that Lian describes as impossible.

When the game begins, Rhoemer and his terrorists have launched an assault on Washington, D.C. Gabe defeats Pavel Kravitch, Rhoemer's communications expert, which allows him to gain entry to the subway. Once inside, an explosive goes off leaving Gabe trapped underground. He pursues Aramov, catching her in the tunnels before heading to a nearby park to aid in the defusing of several viral bombs, where he learns that Aramov has escaped custody. Making his way to the Freedom Memorial, Gabe takes on and defeats Jorge Marcos, Rhoemer's trigger man, and Anton Girdeaux.

Lab results show that Syphon Filter is a deadly next-generation biological weapon, capable of targeting specific demographics. Jonathan Phagan, PHARCOM's CEO and founder, attends a gala at his new Expo Center Museum, where he is taken captive by Aramov and Benton is revealed as a double agent. Gabe kills Benton, frees Phagan, but Aramov, who is captured, again escapes custody.

Gabe goes to Rhoemer's secret base in Kazakhstan. Gabe succeeds, but Lian is taken captive by Rhoemer. Gabe kills Rhoemer's commander Vladislav Gabrek and destroys Rhoemer's helicopter. Gabe believes the explosion killed Lian as well.

Gabe is then sent to infiltrate Rhoemer's stronghold in Uzhhorod, Ukraine, which is a Gothic cathedral. Injecting viral patients with what he believes is an antidote, Gabe descends deeper into the cathedral to rescue Lian; who explains that there is no 'global' antidote for the virus. They also find Phagan, who is later killed by Aramov. She decides to help Gabe and Lian, since she has nowhere else to go.

Gabe then infiltrates the PHARCOM warehouses in Almaty, Kazakhstan, where PHARCOM security is battling Rhoemer's men. Gabe learns that Markinson, who had been secretly negotiating with Rhoemer to obtain Syphon Filter for the Agency, had made Gabe inject the patients with potassium chloride. Rhoemer reveals he has captured a Soviet-era ICBM and loaded it with a Syphon Filter viral bomb. Rhoemer kills Markinson and starts the launch sequence for the missile. Gabe cannot prevent it from launching, so his only hope is to initiate its self-destruct sequence once it is in the upper atmosphere. Gabe successfully destroys the missile. Rhoemer, furious at Logan's interference, engages him in a final showdown. Gabe is able to kill him and avert World War III.

After the credits finish, a scene plays showing the shadowy figure from the beginning of the game holding a sample of Syphon Filter inside of the Agency's headquarters with Aramov, who is laughing.

Reception
IGN ranked the game #19 on their list of the "Top 25 Games of All Time" for the first PlayStation console.


 * GameSpot: 9.0
 * IGN: 9.5
 * Electronic Gaming Monthly: 7.62 out of 10
 * Official PlayStation Magazine: 4 out of 5