I kinda felt bad because I spend a lot of time playing the original Syphon Filter. But I forgotten about such a PS1 classic. To be fair, I did own a lot of games as well as Syphon Filter 2. Which I didn't play as much as the original game. Anyway, I think this comparison needed to happen. Especially after I found out Syphon Filter was actually inspired by GoldenEye.
GoldenEye
Syphon Filter
Obviously this is a licensed game against an original one. Usually licensed games do terrible in comparison. Unless they're actually better than the games they're compared to. I got to be honest, I got a lot of respect for both these games. In a way with Metal Gear Solid, helped made the stealth genre what it is today.
Keep in mind, this was before both Hitman & Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell existed. I should mention I won't be focusing on GoldenEye's multiplayer for this comparison for fairness reasons. Before I continue on, I can already see a lot of people saying "How dare you leave out such an experience." If Syphon Filter had a multiplayer mode, I would've compared it.
Sadly, both Syphon Filter 2 & 3 had multiplayer. In terms of using codes also isn't a fair topic. It depends on which region version of Syphon Filter you own. If you owned the PAL version, you got codes while the US version doesn't. Obviously, that would've had to go to GoldenEye. So why make one look bad when it doesn't exactly matter in a real comparison?
GoldenEye is based on the movie of the same name that came out two years after it's release. Most movie games came out before their movies hit theaters. It was unusual Rare got allowed to keep working on this N64 classic for that long. In a sense, Syphon Filter got delayed several times almost getting canceled prior to it's release.
Which in it's own right would've meant trouble for a video game. They too were lucky that wasn't the case. I should point out, a member of Syphon Filter previously worked on Bubsy 3D. Yes, one of the absolute worst PS1 games in existence. GoldenEye does technically have two extra levels that borrow from other Bond movies.
If cheating was allowed in this comparison, I would've given both games their level selection. By default, GoldenEye does allow you to pick any level you want among those you have unlocked. You also can change your difficulty to decrease or increase the amount of objectives for a level. It is interesting that concept was actually inspired by Super Mario 64.
Syphon Filter has a similar story concept that Metal Gear Solid with some clear differences. You play as Gabe Logan, you take on terrorists to prevent a virus known as Syphon Filter. Yes there's a reason for the title, unlike a few later Syphon Filter games. GoldenEye by a different company gotten two actual follow ups.
Well technically if you think about it, two different teams working on The World Is Not Enough games. I guess it sorta had two versions of a movie game with very clear differences. It probably could count as three follow up games. GoldenEye did inspired Perfect Dark and Timesplitters series. Sadly, it also inspired GoldenEye: Rogue Agent, a game I strongly don't like.
Syphon Filter is more tactical in how you do things. GoldenEye comes off as a solid FPS experience. Not much is going to slow you down but you do have a few levels with strict objectives. Syphon Filter had the balls to doing a level within a destroyed train station. Obviously, there's great story in both of these games.
I felt both do have major advantages over each other. GoldenEye does technically have more weapons overall. Syphon Filter has smarter default AI in comparison. Both these games don't have many actual boss fights. Syphon Filter does allow you to easily see the important again at any given time.
Stuff like the debriefing in GoldenEye, you will only see prior to entering a level that's it. Also Syphon Filter does include a map to help you from not getting lost. It is possible to get lost sometimes in GoldenEye. I should point out GoldenEye uses texts while there is voice acting in Syphon Filter.
This is a rare case when the text dialogues & the voice acting is very close. This alone will come down to personal taste. Both of them are beautifully written for their respective games. The audio is absolutely amazing in both of these games too. I felt Syphon Filter is more forgiving in level procession.
In GoldenEye, if you die at any point. You have to start over the entire mission. But in Syphon Filter, when you die depending if you reached a check point or not. You could reload a check point to speed things up. Most levels has a few check points making it easier to continue playing. Obviously I'm comparing a FPS to a stealth TPS game.
Stealth isn't as much of an element in GoldenEye though. Yes, a few strict objectives would count as stealth theme. But stealth is strongly presented in Syphon Filter. Also, you have to get use to objectives getting added during game play in Syphon Filter as well. GoldenEye will set you in with all known objectives making it easier to memorize what to do.
Although, it is still possible to do that with Syphon Filter. This is the game's way of trying to throw you off. There is several times Gabe will call Lian Xing about important information. Personally, this aspect is completely left out of GoldenEye. Sure, it does work in a way it doesn't slow the game down.
You can technically skip those dialogue a few ways to speed things along. In fact, you don't even need to press triangle in those set locations. Especially those that will add more objectives to your current level. Let's be honest for their game, both of these games looks amazing. Syphon Filter got the honored of being included in PlayStation Classic Edition recently.
Funny enough, Metal Gear Solid is also included. GoldenEye does make James Bond seem like a bad ass. But the same can also be said for Gabe Logan. If you think about it, both these men are working for an organization to preventing something terrible from happening to saving the world. Gabe gets to kill more confirmed targets during game play.
Syphon Filter does have more interesting usage of a sniper rifle. Both these games have the perfect controls. GoldenEye does have higher standards due to being a licensed game. In a sense, Syphon Filter was a game not even the developers were sure was going to be a success. It actually confirmed, they all thought it was going to fail.
Sometimes, amazing things happened during developments. GoldenEye does change outfits depending on the levels. Keep in mind, Pierce Brosnan was playing James Bond at the time. Sadly, Daniel Craig had to replace him in GoldenEye remake. Which comes more off like a Call of Duty rip off.
I will be honest, that version personally turns me off. Some of it's changes just doesn't set well with me. Syphon Filter is a surprisingly complex game. GoldenEye comes more off like a simple easy to pick up FPS game. There are some strict objectives in Syphon Filter. Thankfully, it's trial & error can be easy to work around.
GoldenEye is still the best James Bond game. Often considered to be one of the greatest FPS games of the 90s. But Syphon Filter is considered to be one of the greatest stealth games of the 90s. The Syphon Filter team didn't know how to go about their own game. Until they gotten inspired by GoldenEye.
They knew they had to make direct differences. I felt the armor was more common to find in GoldenEye. Syphon Filter comes off more realistic in how you die. Like an explosion or getting caught on fire. Those things take time to kill you in GoldenEye. Although, it is possible to killing someone in one shot with an explosive weapon.
It is possible to survive explosions in GoldenEye. Syphon Filter doesn't let you drive any vehicles. In GoldenEye in a handful of levels, you do have the option of riding around in a tank. Yes, I am not kidding lol. Personally, that's also a small thing. What truly matters is which of these games ends up being a more satisfying experience just from the single player campaign.
GoldenEye does strongly follow the game it's based on. Syphon Filter is likely a precursor of some sorts to well Splinter Cell series. Interesting enough, not a lot of people even realize this. Syphon Filter predates Metal Gear Solid by eight months. I was surprised when I recently found out myself. GoldenEye does still allow you to fully the details that goes into the levels.
Obviously this is one of Syphon Filter's strongest strength since it is a third person shooter. You can see entirely around him as well as a good distance from his location. Included in both their arsenal by pure coincidence a tazer lol. Both of these games has rememeberable death animations for the enemies.
I felt GoldenEye has slightly better death animations like when you killed them from the waist down lol. Keep in mind, enemies' faces are randomized with those of the actual developers. Syphon Filter doesn't do that, most terrorists doesn't reveal their faces at all. Most key members aren't hiding behind a mask though.
Syphon Filter does also have a vehicle boss fight. Where you must survive against an attack helicopter. Although this game predates Metal Gear Solid, both MSX2 Metal Gear games had a helicopter boss fight. Both of these games do change the environment to a degree. I felt GoldenEye does that a bit more though.
I also liked both games has a few ways of selecting your weapons. But Bond also comes with gadgets too. But only in particular levels with gadgets meant for them. In a way, that bounces things out. Syphon Filter does have an amazing sound track. So does GoldenEye since Rare around that time was directly making their games.
I should mention, GoldenEye does technically have infinite enemy spawning. I won't be comparing 007 Mode since Syphon Filter doesn't have such a feature. This comparison is strongly on which game ends up being more of your thing end of the day. Just comparing the single player experience with no codes at all.
In all honestly, GoldenEye does have a level selection right off the bat. In Syphon Filter, you have to play all the levels in order. Being able to replay levels at any given time is a huge advantage. Although, Syphon Filter isn't going down that easy here. It may lack a level select without codes. What it does have is more actual cut scenes.
There is cut scenes that you only see during them while some in game cut scenes being like the game itself. The closest moments GoldenEye gets to that is mostly at the beginning being the same exact shot reused. I should mention the actual ending to GoldenEye portion levels. Depending on things, the good ending is when 006 dies.
Of course, there's two hidden levels that aren't from GoldenEye movie. Syphon Filter does not have extra levels. One of these levels is based on the Bond movie Moonraker. The other bonus level pulls from several Bond movies for a surprisingly well thought out level. Syphon Filter does have better contols.
Depending if your PS console controller having dualshock or not. You have an alternate method of moving Gabe around. Also this is much easier on your hands too. Not only that, the levels do have more direct complexity to them. You can't simply run in hoping to get all the objectives done then get out.
Especially in levels that has snipers in them. Syphon Filter does have a save feature. GoldenEye is more likely to save in the actual cartridge. The problem however is N64 cartridges have a technical issue. Which can cause the saves to become lost or suddenly come back. Honestly, thank god Syphon Filter uses a memory card.
Gabe ends up having a stronger impression on you due to learning more about him during the levels. By now, everyone knows about James Bond. The fictional spy with more movies than anybody else. He isn't exactly doing things you haven't seen before. Also a few levels in GoldenEye are altered variations of previous levels set in night.
Last I checked, Syphon Filter does not do that. I will say all the characters in both games looks great. Syphon Filter does have more interesting game play mechanics. It has some platforming elements but you don't really jump. You simply pull yourself up as well as moving on the rail or whatever above you in a few locations.
Also while hanging up there you can still fire at enemies. You can't do this at all in GoldenEye. Syphon Filter is simply more forgiving in comparison. Sure it doesn't have 007 Mode that allows you to alter things about your enemies. Where you can guarantee completing the levels or the absolute opposite.
Honestly, it is strong enough to not need such a feature. Both games do have hostages you need to save. But in Syphon Filter, you just need to carefully take out particular terrorists. In GoldenEye, you still need to watch after them sometimes. Because sometimes they could get killed by an enemy. In fact, it is possible to suddenly go from completing an objective to failing one within record time.
Yet this isn't even an issue in Syphon Filter. As stated before, there's more actual targets Gabe takes out during the game. In a way, that does spice things up. Syphon Filter's check point system isn't perfect though. Sometimes, you could respawn with an enemy right in front of you. There's a chance you are low on or out of ammo.
Thus you gotta hope to quickly change your weapons to kill him. Thank god, there is an alternate, safer option to changing out your weapons. Ammo isn't as common in Syphon Filter. Let's be honest that's a double edge sword. On one hand, yes some parts of the levels will be more difficult. But at the same time, it forces you to quickly rethink your strategies.
Also GoldenEye sometimes has the habit of getting you too much ammo. Rather finding ammo caches or killing a lot of enemies. Oh well, you also get ammo from killing enemies in Syphon Filter but GoldenEye does keep respawning enemies. Which in a sense does sorta break the challenge they were going for.
Syphon Filter comes off sorta a government conspiracy type game. MI6 was loyal to James Bond in GoldenEye. Not always in the movies though, Yes I seen every Bond movie there is. Syphon Filter in all honestly has a more solid single player campaign experience. It fixes some of the problems GoldenEye had.
Syphon Filter also was creative enough to being more of it's own experience too. It easily could've became a full blown rip off game. Instead we ended up with a surprisingly solid stealth game that also stands the test of time. Syphon Filter does have some great songs. I do still think GoldenEye has better sound effects.
As you can probably tell, I'm having a difficult time trying to decide a winner here. But after much needed consideration. There is no shame in which games loses here, both of them are legends. I highly recommend both of these must be in your collections as well as possible. But if I had to pick one game just for the single player out of these two, it has to be Syphon Filter.
Syphon Filter has a better usage of enemy AI. There are some puzzle elements making getting through some levels more satisfying. There's more actually boss fights that matter. I felt for an original game, the story is very well written. Gabe quickly grows on up as you keep on playing. Just exploring in the levels alone ends up being more interesting than some of the finest in GoldenEye.
Also you can't snipe kill an enemy in one shot in GoldenEye. But you can in Syphon Filter saving a lot of time & ammo. Not only that, Syphon Filter has more direct mission varieties too. There are times you have to protect people whose disarming a bomb that has a virus. The actual plot ends up being more important due to preventing any viral outbreaks than a satellite that simply wears you money.
Yes the big deal with 006 is using this satellite would wiring money from anyone's bank accounts. Over night, his Janus would have exactly have what they need to rule the world. Ultimately his goal was to take down MI6 since they are responsible for his parent's murder. Honestly, I just have slightly more reason to care about Syphon Filter's story.
Winner: Syphon Filter
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