Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain E3 2003 Preshow Report

We haven't heard from Gabe Logan, the star of Sony's popular Syphon Filter series, in quite some time. But Gabe and his Agency are back, and this time the mission is a cooperative four-player adventure.

The game is set against a backdrop rife with bioterrorism. The deadly syphon filter virus is spreading faster and faster, and outbreaks are occurring all over the world. Gabe learns that a multinational corporation has been behind the spread of the virus from the very beginning, and he sets out to stop a new killer strain of the virus from destroying humankind.

Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain features 17 missions. Each one of these levels is said to be three times as large as some of the levels seen in previous Syphon Filter games, and the levels are designed with multiple paths and nonlinearity in mind. The game can be played alone, but it's clearly being designed for online play. The online play comes in the form of a four-player cooperative mode. With multiple players, you'll be able to access more portions of the game's levels. Teamwork is key, and you'll be able to speak to other players using a USB headset.

You'll have more than 100 different weapons and gadgets at your disposal, but you'll only be able to carry four guns at once, making your choice of weapons more important. The game will allow you to target an enemy's various body parts, giving you the option to, say, eliminate armored guards with a head shot, just like in previous entries in the series.

Your online character can be customized in a handful of different ways, and you'll gain access to more and more outfits and weapons as you play.

Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain is currently scheduled to ship in winter 2004.