Silent Scope

"Frustrating with a taste of fun"

Intro
One thing that's always funny to look at is an arcade game ported to a system. Take, for example, Mario Brothers to Atari 2600. A large difference there what with improved sounds on the arcade version and crisper graphics. Another good example would be Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2. It's graphics and sounds on the arcade machine by far beat the life out of the NES version. But it isn't always graphics and sound that are botched. Sometimes it's the gameplay that takes a blow for the good of porting. That can be seen here in the game Silent Scope, a popular arcade title that was ported as a very early title for the PS2. Just how does it hold up on Sony's follow-up to their hot selling game machine? Well...

Who is This Sniper?
Why don't I start with the story as I usually do. You are playing as a sniper. What's his name? Pfft! I don't know! Bob... Sam... Ralph... Jessica... It really doesn't matter about the name, just make one up! Anyway, this savvy sniper has been given a mission to help save the president, his wife, and his daughter from terrorists. As you start out, you must snipe several terrorists who seem to be giving the cops quite a run for their money. After killing a batch of terrorists, you're given choices as to where you want to take your mission. You can get some pretty neat missions such as shooting at a plane from a helicopter, sniping enemies on a football field, or fighting those mean old terrorists on a tower.

Control is the Key
The game just isn't the same without the gun. Oh well, the control will have to do. You basically move your crosshairs, which are represented by a small circle, around with either the D-pad or your analog stick on to a target. It's a lot easier to hold CIRCLE and control it to get it to a target just a bit faster. You then fire at your target, being sure to take them out on your first shot as you can get a better bonus that way. You also get better bonuses for headshots. Be careful not to fire too fast or the idiot voice that keeps talking to you will tell you to calm down and you'll have to wait a bit. After a while, you'll run out of bullets and you'll have to wait for the gun to reload. Throughout the game, there are also innocents which you must not shoot or it will cost you some health. At the end of most levels is a boss. There is a weakness in which you can kill the boss with one shot or at least severely hurt them which the game will indicate for you.

Who Needs Practice?
There is also a practice mode which is fairly boring and annoying, as well as a shooting range... which is also boring and annoying. Yeesh, Konami really didn't go too all out with the extra modes.

Graphics
The graphics are decent. It doesn't really look like they tried extremely hard to get the best graphics they could out of this game for some reason, though. Sure, they show decent design and okay coloring, but they just don't seem very well refined for some reason. I really can't place my finger on it.

Sounds
The sounds can be annoying. I hate hearing that idiot always say, ''Calm down!'' or ''Hurry up!'' The music fits the intensive theme of the game, however. I also liked the sound effects which seemed to work quite well with their given events. A good example would be the gunshots.

Final Word
From what I hear, the arcade version is so much better. This one is a decent title to pick up, probably worth a rent or two, but I definitely wouldn't buy this; at least not for more than about $10-20.

FINAL JUDGMENT
Graphics: Don't seem to be the best that can be offered 7/10
Sounds: If only you can aim your crosshairs at the moron who keeps yelling at you... Then, there's the music and sound effects which are redeeming factors here. 6/10
Control: Overresponsive. That adds to the challenge, sure, but it also takes a bit away from the interest of the game. 7/10
Plot/Storyline: I'll be gracious here since I don't expect much of a story from a game like this 8/10
Gameplay: It can be fun. I found that I get bored of this game after about ten to twenty minutes and I begin to ache for something much more fulfilling. That's not to say this game is terrible; it's just not that great, in my opinion. 7/10
All Together: 7/10

Perks
*Can be a bit fun
*Nice music and sound effects
*They worked the plot out nicely

Downers
*Calm Down... Hurry Up! Make up your freakin' mind!
*Not very many extras to choose from
*Can be very frustrating

Recommendations
Shooter fans would probably appreciate this game. Fans of the arcade version will find this pretty hit or miss since it's not as good as the arcade version. Honestly, I don't see myself actually buying this game until it comes down to about $20 in this area and there aren't any better games in the place I'm looking. In other words, this is a very low priority on my list.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 04/02/01, Updated 10/03/01