Tuesday, May 4, 2004 - SCEA announced today the release of Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain, the new installment, designed exclusively for the Playstation 2, of the stealth action series. The game features many gameplay elements that were typical of previous installment and adds a new four-player cooperative online mode, a special character customization feature, and vast, richly detailed international environments.

"Building upon the series' immense popularity, we aimed to deliver a dynamic online and offline gaming experience, true to the evolution of the Syphon Filter franchise," said Ami Blaire, director, marketing, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain further expands the series and revolutionizes the action genre with innovative cooperative online gameplay, a competitive rewards system, intense strategic challenges, and an all-new spy thriller storyline."

Story
Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain's storyline begins when outbreaks of a fatal, mysterious virus erupt in such diverse locations as Italy, Belarus, Switzerland, and Myanmar. No one seems to know where the virus originated from or how it has spread. The enigmatic Mara Aramov also has escaped from a high-security prison and is seen in locations all over the world. Gabe Logan suspects that Mara somehow plays a part in the outbreak of the deadly virus with the help of whoever is behind the Syphon Filter conspiracy. Put in charge of a powerful new black-box Agency, Gabe uses all of his resources in a desperate battle against the clock. He and his team battle terrorists from all over the world, as they struggle to discover who mutated the original virus, and why. If a cure is not found soon, the fate of the world's population is in jeopardy.

(from the official press release)

Gameplay
Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain marks the return of Gabe Logan, but players will not play through the story as the main hero of the series. In fact, they will take the role of a character they must create and customize in many ways, changing look, uniform, and equipment. Your character will be one of the selected few to be a trained operative within Gabe Logan's reformed Agency (I.P.C.A.). Both tactical strategy and deadly weapons will be needed to defeat terrorists and bad guys.

The game features more than 100 unique weapons and gadgets; players can upgrade their artillery progressing through the levels. Like in other stealth action titles, before each mission you must choose among the many weapons available in the game the ones you think are truly needed for a particular mission. A maximum of four weapons can be carried for each mission.

The game will be playable offline and online, but online players will receive many incentives and higher rankings, mainly because of the possibility to use teamwork skills when playing online. To overcome certain obstacles the help of another player will be necessary. For example, online can use options like the "buddy climb" - working together to scale an otherwise insurmountable obstacle - to complete team mission objectives more efficiently.

Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain also supports the Playstation 2 USB headset for voice chat to discuss strategies with teammates and provide updates while playing. Players can also use the directional pad instead of a headset to communicate with fellow agents.

We'll have more on the new Syphon Filter soon!