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10 Years Ago This Week: Syphon Filter

10 Years Ago is a recurring feature that looks at whatever the new hotness was around this time 3,650 days ago. Ostensibly it will look at the game’s impact both in past and present terms, but mostly it will just make you feel really old.

Syphon Filter (released February 17, 1999) was the moment of redemption for Eidetic, the studio that had previously sullied its name with the execrable Bubsy 3D. Whereas that game represented a spectacular low for the 3D mascot platformer, Syphon Filter was a dizzying high for the 32-bit third-person action game. It was the culmination of many of the console design methodologies in place at the time and stands as one of the PlayStation’s iconic titles, even if it’s not particularly enjoyable by modern standards.

PSOne on PSN: Somehow, it’s Suikoden

Just in time for me to tell you about it before our holiday break, Sony has updated the PlayStation Network Store with another PSOne game. I’m not telling you this because this marks the second week in a row we’ve gotten a new PSOne on PSN game, although that probably at least ties the service’s previous record streak. No, you have to know this because the game is Suikoden, the excellent 1996 RPG that set the stage for its even more excellent sequel. So that’s the best part. The second best part is it’s selling for the PSN standard $5.99. That sound you hear is hundreds of Ebay sellers having simultaneous aneurysms.

Between this and last week’s Castlevania Chronicles, it almost seems like Sony and Konami have figured out how to use this service properly. Both these titles are uncommon and in demand from franchise fans. Neither game has aged particularly badly, if you keep in mind that Chronicles was a port of a port and already felt pretty old school upon its original launch. And finally, they’re both from extent franchises that each could use a bit of a boost right now.

Would You Play a Final Fantasy VII Remake? Hmmm?

The Internet has been rumbling about a mysterious sign that's been popping up in Best Buys around the US of A. It looks like a simple "Coming Soon" release list, but look closer and you'll see the mystery: it lists Final Fantasy VII as an August Playstation 3 release.

Needless to say, this is an error, unless Square's been purposefully silent about a Final Fantasy VII re-release. It would be the merciful route; Sephiroth fangirls would gnaw on themselves and each other while writhing in anticipation of another crack at the silver-haired bishounen. Corporations aren't known for mercy towards their fans, however, and any planned Final Fantasy VII remakes would surely be announced with french horns and dancing poodles.

But would you play a Final Fantasy VII remake? No game is as beloved and reviled as Final Fantasy VII. It was the game that brought the slow and "nerdy" RPG genre to the attention of the mainstream gamer. It's also a very clumsy and awkward game; you'll be hard-pressed to find another big-name title that aged so badly. But a huge chunk of the Internet remembers it as their first RPG and you never do forget your first.

*Cough.*

about the blogger

John Constantine, our superhero, was raised by birds and then attended Penn State University. He is currently working on a novel about a fictional city that exists only in his mind. John has an astonishingly extensive knowledge of Scientology. Ultimately he would like to learn how to effectively use his brain. He continues to keep Wu-Tang's secret to himself.

Derrick Sanskrit is a self-professed geek in a variety of fields including typography, graphic design, comic books, music and cartoons. As a professional hipster graphic designer, his recent clients have included Nerve, Pitchfork and MoCCA, among others.

Amber Ahlborn - artist, writer, gamer and DigiPen survivor, she maintains a day job as a graphic artist. By night Amber moonlights as a professional Metroid Fanatic and keeps a metal suit in the closet just in case. Has lived in the state of Washington and insists that it really doesn't rain as much as everyone says it does.

Nadia Oxford is a housekeeping robot who was refurbished into a warrior when the world's need for justice was great. Now that the galaxy is at peace (give or take a conflict here or there), she works as a freelance writer for various sites and magazines. Based in Toronto, Nadia prizes the certificate from the Ministry of Health declaring her tick and rabies-free.

Bob Mackey is a grad student, writer, and cyborg, who uses the powerful girl-repelling nanomachines mad science grafted onto his body to allocate time towards interests of the nerd persuasion. He believes that complaining about things on the Internet is akin to the fine art of wine tasting, but with more spitting into buckets.

Joe Keiser has a programming degree from Johns Hopkins University, a tiny apartment in Brooklyn, and a fake toy guitar built in the hollowed-out shell of a real guitar. He writes about games and technology for a variety of outlets. One day he will stop doing this. The day after that, police will find his body under a collapsed pile of (formerly neatly alphabetized) collector's edition tchotchkes.

Cole Stryker is an American freelance writer living in York, England, where he resides with his archeologist wife. He writes for a travel company by day and argues about pop culture on the internet by night. Find him writing regularly here and here.

Peter Smith is like the lead character of Irwin Shaw's The 80-Yard Run, except less athletic. He considers himself very lucky to have this job. But it's a little premature to take "jack-off of all trades" off his resume. Besides writing, travelling, and painting houses, Pete plays guitar in a rock trio called The Aye-Ayes. He calls them a 'power pop' band, but they generally sound more like Motorhead on a drinking binge.