95
The stealth aspect of Syphon Filter is fantastic. Pure bliss. "Metal Gear Solid" and "Goldeneye" fans will absolutely dig the many mission objectives just within a single level, which are sometimes split up into two or three different parts.
95
I think 989 Studios did a great job in creating a realistic environment. It is almost like you are playing your own interactive movie.
94
A wonderful game that manages to combine the action/mission based elements of "Goldeneye" with the military overtones of "MGS" into one slam blam package.
10
**** best shooter game of the ps 1... I played this game again this new year and is... AMAZING is the best and will be the best Syphon Filter game ever!
8
A great run-n-gun, but it didn't have as much action as the other two in the PS1 trilogy. It does however, feature the best boss fight in the series. Worth playing if you are a PlayStation fan and want to try the Syphon Filter series, but mediocre compared to it's successors. 4/5 stars.
8
"Syphon Filter" is a combination of "Metal Gear Solid" and "Goldeneye 007". It's a third-person shooter with stealth and puzzle elements. The plot is engaging and the boss fights are challenging. While the series is underrated, this first entry is a really good action spy game. I'd rate it with an 8.5 out of 10.
Syphon Filter
PlayStation
Released On:
Feb 17, 1999
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
90
User score
Generally Favorable
8.4
My Score
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All Platforms
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
89% Positive
17 Reviews
17 Reviews
11% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
100
An action-packed espionage thriller, Syphon Filter’s intense gameplay combines with tight control and a slick style to deliver the PlayStation’s best third-person action game.
95
The stealth aspect of Syphon Filter is fantastic. Pure bliss. "Metal Gear Solid" and "Goldeneye" fans will absolutely dig the many mission objectives just within a single level, which are sometimes split up into two or three different parts.
User score
Generally Favorable
78% Positive
214 Ratings
214 Ratings
18% Mixed
49 Ratings
49 Ratings
4% Negative
10 Ratings
10 Ratings
Jan 15, 2026
10
**** best shooter game of the ps 1... I played this game again this new year and is... AMAZING is the best and will be the best Syphon Filter game ever!
Aug 29, 2025
10
A criminally underrated series, it's rare to find a 1st game this good. The missions are varied, the soundtracks adds a lot to the experience, and I loved the characters and story. I hope it gets revived one day, cause it has so much potencial.
90
Graphically this game is really well done. The PlayStation probably isn't going to get much better at this point.
90
"So this is what 'Metal Gear Solid' was trying to do." The level of immersion that this title provides is simply unparalleled in console gaming, and that is what makes the gameplay so spectacular.
90
What especially impresses me is that although the presentation is smooth and competent, it is understated and lets the brilliant gameplay speak for itself.
80
Gamers took to the hero Gabe Logan with such enthusiasm that the mere mention of the franchise name still gets folks excited. [Nov 2001, p.52]
69
It's derivative, yet brilliant; intrinsically flawed, but fantastically playable.
Sep 3, 2024
10
This game is a gem of 90s that, for its time, offered an unparalleled experience. Its blend of action, stealth, and deep narrative makes it a classic that defined a generation. The smooth gameplay, precise controls, and tense atmosphere created total immersion. Mechanics like the use of the Taser and the focus on strategy were revolutionary. It wasn’t just technically impeccable, but it also left an indelible mark on those who played it, being a title that truly defined an era in gaming.
Feb 20, 2025
6
Could have seen myself liking it if I played it back in the day but was just far too basic for my tastte
Apr 30, 2020
6
When Agent Ellis loses contact during a mission in Costa Rica, special agents Gabe and Lian to are sent to find him and apprehend international terrorist Erich Rhoemer. Syphon Filter provides an entertaining mix of stealth and action orientated gameplay, and although the graphics and controls now feel very dated, it’s still pretty good fun.
Feb 26, 2020
6
Despite the sluggish controls and awkward movement, there is a lot of fun to be had with Syphon FIlter. The large range of weapons and tools, interesting level layout and progressive mission objectives and criteria make for an intersting experience. Voice acting is surprisingly good and some of the weapons sound fantastic for the time. Boss battles are the only thing that bother me, to be honest. Enemies shooting you from beyond the draw distance is some grade A crap, but is easily subverted in the end.
Jan 2, 2022
4
Syphon Filter is a game that even for the time it feels really outdated, this is not an early PS1 game, this is 1999. By the time, the controls and graphics were much more polished overall. The way to shoot the guns reminds me to GTA 3, if not, a bit worse for its camera, so you really know what to expect. Although the first person view was cool, and there´s a bit variety of weapons to use. But what kills this game is the level design and its checkpoint system, is so unfair at times, killing you in one hit only because you do a mistake and losing like 15 minutes or more of progress. But the enemies never are a threat, and they can shoot you from close range and i mean close range like 1 METER and they dont hit you, WHAT? The soundtrack was fine, the same with the story, but nothing spectacular. There´s also a bit of revolutionary gameplay here and there, but anything impressive in this game is drag down by the bad.
