Publisher: Sony
Ages: seven and up.
Parental
Advisory:
Violence
When it comes to war games, SOCOM was last year's game of choice. This year, Sony's SOCOM II: U.S. Navy SEALs is the deserving sequel that greatly expands on the original. It features new gameplay within an urban warfare theme, increased chat and online functionality, more mission types and additional weapons. Those who enjoyed the first game will have a blast with this sequel and will thoroughly enjoy the game's in-depth online features.
SOCOM II: U.S. Navy SEALs places gamers in the role of an elite SEAL commander trained to protect America from hostile forces throughout the world. In single-player mode, gamers lead a four-man team through 12 missions that take place in both urban and rural settings, in various weather conditions and during different times of the day in locations such as Algeria, Albania, Brazil and Russia.
Some missions require partnering with other international Special Ops forces, including (Russian) Spetznaz and (British) SAS units. And players get to use new items such as the AT-4, LAW (light armored weapon), machine gun turrets and shotguns.
The game is a technical innovation. Players can control their squads by issuing commands from a menu or barking out voice commands through a PS2-compatible headset (sold separately). Far beyond single-play the game offers fun online play through a broadband connection or across a local area network (LAN) (both require the PlayStation 2 Network Adaptor).
In online games, up to 16 can join the fight to take down hostile forces in 22 online missions (12 new SOCOM II online missions and 10 updated/enhanced SOCOM online missions) with five different mission types that include new "escort" and "breach" missions. Players can create customized games and match sets or join one according to their rank. The interactive environments offer the ability to call in air strikes and supporting artillery fire, as well as detailed stat tracking and a spectator mode where up to eight may observe the action.
Using a USB headset or SOCOM headset (each sold separately), the enhanced online communication lets team members communicate either in-game or in the lobby while viewing a new "who's talking" display, as well as use voice alteration and sub-channels for offensive and defensive gameplay strategy. Players can also utilize a friends list to find fellow gamers or deny communication with others.
The graphics are fantastic and do a great job of evoking the gritty environments. As you would expect, SOCOM is all about war so the action is graphic and violent. While SOCOM II: U.S. Navy will have lots of appeal to action fans, its online play makes the game soar.
12/8/03 www.daytrum.com Editorial Staff
