Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror

To sum the whole thing up - if you had only one game you could buy for your PSP, let it be this. Even if you don't like first person shooters, get it.

Syphon Filter is the best first person shooter - action game out there for PSP, hands down. You get a single player mode "story mode" which runs like a charm. The graphics are astounding, taking the PSP to another level. The controls feel right - finally, developers have thought to take full use of all the pads and buttons in a reasonable way.

You play as a super-secret, ex-delta force type, undercover agent. Your mission is to find and destroy Project Dark Mirror. You get a wide range of weapons, but if you are good, you can use a special mode (using a range of goggles) to find secret passages and ways of finishing a level. This means that you can sneak your way without causing much trouble. One of the wonderful things about this game is stealth and the ability to 'snap-on' to walls and boxes. You can peek over the side and take out enemies without stirring a mouse. Alternatively you can jump out and take on dozens of enemies.

This leads to the only two points of the game that are a letdown. The AI is predictable, and sometime stupid. It's not uncommon to see enemies fall victim to their own mines or walk into your path as you destroy them with your EDT gun. Or you can use hand to hand combat, a knife, special darts, or normal guns. Using these things earns points for earning rewards and unlocking bonus levels. The other thing is - why isn't the game play longer? Seven acts with around five scenes per act make for too short a game.

There is a multiplayer mode as well, for people who like that. (Ad-Hoc + Infrastructure)

GRAPHICS: 9/10 (Best graphics and cut-scenes of all time)

SOUND: 7/10 (The sound is really great - not complaining, since you can't have it all)

CONTROLS: 10/10 (Flawless - you can crouch, look over corners, activate a scope, zoom, and snipe, all at once, without getting frustrated)

DIFFICULTY: 5/10 (Moderately difficult - some guys are mounted on turrets! Difficulty falls tremendously since you can sneak around, using stealth to eliminate much of the opposition)