SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation

"SOCOM: Confrontation (AU, 19/03/09)"

1. Introduction - Give a brief description of the game and its history, if any.

SOCOM Confrontation is the 5th in a series developed by SCEA and Zipper Interactive starting out on PS2 [SOCOM US Navy SEALs, SOCOM 2, SOCOM 3, SOCOM: Combined Assault] and the 1st for the PS3. The original SOCOM US Navy SEALs was introduced in 2002 to critical acclaim and was instrumental to online gaming on the PS2. S2 continued the claim of SOCOM as the best online shooter for gaming consoles. S3 and S:CA introduced larger maps, vehicles and further developed the gaming interface. SOCOM Confrontation is the next-generation development of the SOCOM experience bought to you by SCEA and Slant 6.

2. Gameplay - The most important part of a game: How fun is it to play? How easy or hard is the game? How is the control?

The original SOCOM games on PS2 included an off-line single player experience. SOCOM: Combined Assault introduced an up to 4 player online multiplayer experience of the single player off-line game, S3 and S:CA also introduced an interaction component with the PSP SOCOM Fire Team Bravo series.

SOCOM Confrontation does not include off-line single player, it is exclusively an online gaming experience. Depending on the type of gameplay, you can run and gun as well as play the hide in the shadows and communicate with your team-mates to complete objectives i.e. suppression, extraction, breach and so forth.

Is it fun to play? Yes, but there are some issues surrounding the controls and certain games modes (ranked and unranked). The game is unforgiving especially to the initiated or even the experienced SOCOM gamer. The AI is human so it is often difficult at first, but once you familiarize yourself with the maps you have some fighting chance at a kill (and or an assist).

The easiest way to get into the game is playing in a room, which are marked as re-spawn. While the rooms are generally unranked, be prepared to have your a55 handed to you in bucket-loads. Its nice to see Australia has its own server yet, depending on your service speed you can play on any worldwide game room (and vise-versa).

SOCOM has a hard learning curve, but when you claim your first kill, especially a CQB or CQC it is satisfying. Whether you choose to be a sniper on the outskirts or part of an assault team utilizing suppression techniques, Confrontation covers all aspects of tactical shooters.

The 3rd person perspective of the original SOCOM series was innovative similar to Metal Gear Solid [Technical Espionage Action] on the PS. Frustrating at first, but if you can imagine this perspective as ‘peripheral vision' then you can use this as part of the tactical aspect efficiently. Confrontation uses an OTS [off the shoulder] view that can be customized by the player i.e. left or right orientation. So you cannot see your legs per se. Also included is a ‘Classic' viewpoint, which gives the player a more original SOCOM viewpoint ‘from behind'.

IMO I find this 3rd person viewpoint better for tactical gameplay than some of the other PS3 1st person shooters out there. You get a more rounded perspective of the surrounding area. 1st person shooters I have found too restrictive, similar to the standard viewpoint to the human eye, you can use your peripheral vision (in real-life), but in the virtual world the only luxury you get is the 3rd person viewpoint.

SOCOM Confrontation is still a white-knuckled ride.


3. Story - Story is important in RPGs and adventure games, and gives the player a compelling reason to play. If the game you are reviewing has no story (i.e. sports, racing titles), then it's pointless to include this section.

There is none. Enough said. LOL.


4. Graphics/Sound - How a game looks and sounds. These should always be compared to the system's capabilities, not to games on other more advanced systems.

The game looks great on the PS3, as it should ;) being the first SOCOM released on the PS3 platform. If you have played SOCOM, S2, S3, S:CA then its miles ahead. Great to see that the elements of tactical team work from the original SOCOM & S2 are there.

The details in the Crossroads map are eye candy compared to the original (SOCOM). All the maps can be played day or night. The complexity of the map/s change inexplicably, allowing the map's to become more evenly weighted for the SEALs/Commandos and the Mercenaries. The sound/s of the weapons are good suppressed and non-suppressed, shotguns, assault, and sniper, even the handguns. Grenades, claymores, RPGs etc all are as close to the original SOCOM series. A big plus.

There are some issues with the loading times and lagging, especially when 32 are running and gunning in the re-spawn rooms. For the most part if your playing in the ranked rooms 8v8, 6v6, 4v4 etc. the lag is almost non-existent.


5. Play Time/Replayability - How long does it take to complete the game, and is it worth playing again once you've done it?

As SOCOM Confrontation is online only, the playtime is infinite. The replayability is tantamount to ranking up your online persona and/or character. The new Trophy system for the PS3 (very similar to the other ‘achievement' system. This could be taken either way, good or bad… well its up to the individual.


6. Final Recommendation - Is a game worth buying or renting new, is it worth searching for, or should you return it if given as a gift?

SOCOM Confrontation is worth buying, owning, downloading. All of the reviews generally bag the game, but as a SOCOM player, it still gives makes my heart beat a little faster, especially when I'm the only one left of my team and there's a minute on the stopwatch until the next round.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 04/23/09

Game Release: SOCOM: US Navy SEALs Confrontation (AU, 03/19/09)