SOCOM Navy Seals:CONFRONTATION Review (PS3)

So Far, SOCOM…So What!

Well, well, well. Finally we get the SOCOM Franchise hitting the next gen Sony console. Now personally this is one game I expected out at launch. Especially considering the popularity of other shooters such as COD 4 and Rainbow 6:Vegas. Now if you happen to be a Sony fanboy, then you will be aware that SOCOM: Navy Seals originally appeared on Playstation 2, back in 2002. It was a third person tactical shooter, which included a usb headset. It comprised of about 12 missions in campaign mode, and was one of the first ps2 games to make use of the online adaptor. The headset was used for giving commands offline, and for chat online. It was also very popular.

its as tuff as a rottie with a sawn off shotgun!

Hence why I presumed the PS3 version would be out a lot closer to launch, bundled with a wonderful blue tooth headset. Surely it would have been a big seller. But I guess Sony had their reasons why they waited a couple of years to bring out this format exclusive game. So. after a few versions of the game on both PS2 and PSP, what do we get for the PS3?. The first thing that you NEED to know about SOCOM: CONFRONTATION is that there is NO campaign. In fact there is no offline play at all. Now I know other games claim to be multiplayer only, but at least they had some offline practice against BOTS to hone your craft, and get a feel for the maps.

Ok, so now we know its online multiplayer only…what do we get for hard earned coin? At least when it comes to customisation we get value for money, unlike COD, we get all the weapons and armour choices up front, and you can also choose from various elite military forces such as the navy seals (obviously), SAS, KSK and others.
Since my promo copy had no manual (or blue tooth headset), I dived straight into the quick play option. To be fair the servers seem well populated, and the lobby’s well presented. Once you have been matched…its possibly to play with 16 vs. 16 making some intense action. Graphically it does the job, but is nothing special, and does have the odd glitch…even though you have a large install, and then a couple of patches need installing as well. Some of the maps are pretty well designed, but none inspired.

There are a few modes of play where hostages are involved as well as the expected deathmatch. Gameplay wise, this is not the easiest of online shooters. I would recommend this to people who clock up hour after hour on the likes of COD4 & WOW, and are proud to have been in numerous clans. Not one for the noobs this!
Prepare to get fragged lots until you get to grips with this game, and even then its as tuff as a rottie with a sawn off shotgun! If you consider yourself a hardcore gamer with a flair for online multiplayer action (and a PS3), and want something new to keep you ticking over until COD Modern Warfare 2, then this may just be the game for you, also if yer a bit lazy, you can download this baby direct off the PSN.