SOCOM is a tactical 3^rd person shooter game series that started on the Playstation 2 and is making its debut on the Playstation 3 with an online only game. The game is a stark departure from previous games in the series that provided both a single player and multiplayer experience. This newest iteration has no single player element at all. Two packages exist, one that includes just the game for $39.99 or a bundle package that includes a Playstation 3 Bluetooth headset for $59.99. I would highly recommend the latter for those who want a quality headset for cheap and if one does not like the game, it can be sold on EBay, which makes the headset come out to about $30. SOCOM is not wholly a bad game contrary to the press releases all over, but at the time of release it had major lag issues which have since been corrected.

Graphic and sound:

The graphics in SOCOM Confrontation are not next generation nor should a player expect them to be so when 32 players are simultaneously online in enormous maps. Bandwidth would be choked if levels looked like Resistance 2, but with the enormous size of SOCOM maps and 32 players online. Although Resistance 2 claims to have 60 players online, the player never encounters all 60 players as they are sectioned off in other areas as opposed to in SOCOM, all 32 players are able to be encountered within the map. The maps in SOCOM Confrontation are well designed and balanced providing very few advantage areas, which can be easily overrun with a well placed grenade. Sound effects sound great when connected to a surround sound system and immerses the player in a war zone.

Gameplay and controls:

SOCOM Confrontation is an online tactical shooter that provides the player with a small amount of customization in terms of faces and uniforms, but it does have a variety of weapon loadouts that can be created to give the player control over what weapons they wish to be equipped with. There are seven online match modes which are: Breach, Control, Escort, Extraction, Demolition, Suppression, and Elimination. Breach mode sets up objectives to the team to accomplish and the winning team will have either completed all the objectives or eliminated the opposing team. Control mode consists of teams controlling five points on the map or eliminating the opposing team. Escort mode involves escorting VIP NPCs to an extraction point before the enemy team eliminates them or the player’s team. Extraction is the same as VIP except that one team is rescuing hostages and leading them to an extraction point rather than guiding VIPs. The team can rescue 2 or 3 hostages to win and the opposing team wins if they eliminate the hostages or the rescue team. Demolition mode consists of one team planting a bomb while the opposing team attempts to thwart them. Suppression is basically a Team Deathmatch mode where opposing teams compete for the most kills. Elimination is basically a Deathmatch mode where every player is in a free for all and the one with the most kills wins. There are many ways to customize these games modes including spawn options, timers, etc…  The game also has a ranking system and leaderboard to track the best players, trophies, clans, and an in-game calendar for organizing events. Controls in the game are very easy to use although swapping weapons is delayed at times.

Overall thoughts:

When SOCOM Confrontation was first launched it had many issues. Massive lag was apparent and the game would crash at times while loading a map or while playing. I quickly sold my game a month after release, because the issues had not been fixed at the time. I recently repurchased SOCOM Confrontation for a bargain at $15 and was pleasantly surprised that the lag and crashing issues had been fixed. Many people play this game online as it is a very fun tactical shooter. I highly recommend grabbing it online for a bargain and not paying full price for it.

Press Release | Comunicado de Prensa

SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation Delivers Intense and Authentic Modern Combat Action Only on PLAYSTATION(R)3

Sony Computer Entertainment America’s New Bluetooth(R) Headset to Revolutionize Voice Chat on PS3(TM)

FOSTER CITY, Calif., Oct. 14 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) today announced the availability of SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation. Developed by Slant Six Games, SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation allows users to experience online combat on a global-scale made only available on the PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)) system. SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation is available for download directly from PlayStation(R)Network for $39.99 (SRP) and at retail, both a Blue-ray stand-alone version for $39.99 (SRP) and a bundle version for $59.99 (SRP). The bundle version of SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation includes the new Official Bluetooth(R) Headset providing superior voice technology and innovative features built specifically to enhance voice chat during online multiplayer gaming. The Headset also will be available as a stand-alone peripheral for $49.99 (SRP) by early November.

Featuring a new engine built for PS3 with advanced physics, lighting and ballistics, SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation will deliver the most intense and authentic high definition modern combat action. The title’s focus is on online play and the global community that supports it and will feature tournaments, clan ladders, leader boards, advanced player matching and integration with SOCOM.com. Players will have the choice of playing as one of five Special Operation Forces units each with customizable facial features, camo, load outs weapons and gear.

SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation features seven diverse North African environments, including a 32-player version of the most popular SOCOM map of all time “Crossroads.” Gamers will have access to seven different game modes, including all previous SOCOM game types. Full support of DUALSHOCK(R)3 and SIXAXIS(TM) wireless controller will also offer players greater control and innovative movement. Additional themed packs containing new Special Operation Forces, weapons, maps and features will be made available for download via the PlayStation(R)Store.

“Working with the PS3 System Software, R&D and game development teams at Sony Computer Entertainment, we made a great effort to develop the most compelling headset for the PS3 community and are excited to bring it to market with the launch of SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation,” said Seth Luisi, director of development, SCEA. “With the new headset, we were able to implement new game features such as proximity chat which utilizes high quality voice chat play back within the game in full surround sound with reverb and sound occlusion to match all of the sound effects and VO in the game; providing players with the most immersive voice chat experience seen in any game title.”

Featuring innovative features and advances in voice technology, the Headset brings next-generation voice chat features to PS3 and expands on SCEA’s legacy as one of the first companies to popularize VoIP technology within a console videogame through SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs for the PlayStation(R)2 system. The Headset features High-Quality (HQ) mode* which provides wide-band and dual microphone input to enable accurate speech recognition required to support “voice command” and “voice animation” features that will be offered in select games on the PS3 system. HQ mode enables high bandwidth voice recording and playback, currently not available with any other Bluetooth Headset.

The Bluetooth Headset key features include:

– High-Quality (HQ) mode enables or enhances advanced in-game features

such as:

o Voice command

o Voice animation

o Proximity chat (high quality voice playback in full surround sound

to match all of the sound effects and voiceovers in the game)

– Pairs automatically with the PS3 system just by connecting the Headset

with a USB cable

– Exclusive PS3 on-screen indicator displays connection status, battery

charge level, speaker volume level and microphone mute status at a push

of a button

– Included cradle allows Headset to be used as a desktop microphone while

charging

– Compact, sleek and ergonomic design fits comfortably on either ear

– Compatible with most Bluetooth enabled cell phones and audio devices

*HQ mode enables wide-band wireless voice communication with the PS3 system. It utilizes Headset’s dual-microphone design to enable proprietary PS3 system based noise cancelling. HQ mode and noise cancellation features are only available on PS(TM), and not with other Bluetooth enabled cell phones or devices. PS3 system must be updated to System Software 2.50 to enable HQ mode.