SOCOM US Navy Seals

Published by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe
Developed by Zipper Interactive
Platform: PlayStation 2
Released - Out Now
Price : £49.99 (with headset) £39.99 (without headset)

Released simultaneously with Sony's online gaming network for the PlayStation 2, SOCOM US Navy Seals is a game that should appeal to anyone who appreciates titles such as Rainbow Six, Ghost Recon and to some degree Splinter Cell. Yes all those games are Tom Clancy titles and in many ways SOCOM feels like a Tom Clancy title, which of course is an extremely fine compliment. It's a game that makes perfect sense to take online because it offers the chance to take part in an engrossing, co-operative game. You only have to take a look at the popularity of Ghost Recon on the Xbox Live online gaming system to see that these games can be absolutely brilliant. However, as we still don't have a broadband connection (which will hopefully be rectified in the near future) we haven't been able to look at the online side of SOCOM. For now we will look at the single-player.

The single-player game spans twelve missions that are set in the Congo, Turkmenistan, Thailand and Alaska. The mission variety is actually quite good and there are hostage rescues missions and missions where you have to acquire information and much more. None of the missions feel like you're simply repeating an early mission, which can always be a complaint in a game of this nature. Like the Rainbow Six games your success depends on how well you utilise your teams. You order your men to follow, ambush, order them to move to a specific location and many other orders. The more complicated orders such as asking a team member to despatch a satchel containing explosives are crosshair sensitive and will only appear when using the command menu when the crosshair is in exactly the right position.

Generally the enemy AI in SOCOM is quite good but there are times where it goes to sleep a little. It comes as quite a surprise to find that after ducking and dodging your bullets, in a quite impressive fashion, you'll come face to face with an enemy who simply doesn't respond and as a result is a sitting duck. Whilst this doesn't ruin the game (it actually makes it easier at times) it does look odd because the AI is great for spotting foot prints or drops of blood that have come from one of your men.

Just like the Rainbow Six games you won't be able to save your progress mid-level. For those who are new to this kind of game it can prove initially very frustrating. However, whilst I have to admit it's frustrating it does prevent you from waltzing through the game at a silly speed and actually makes completing a mission very satisfying. I found the enemies to be generally in the same locations each time I played a mission so you'll soon become familiar with how to complete a mission. Of course this also limits the replay value. Maybe the sure to arrive sequels could include an option to randomise the location of the enemies to make it more challenging and add replay value to the game.

Graphically the game is good and looks perfectly acceptable. There isn't the same complexity that you would find in a game such as Metal Gear Solid 2 but considering there is a lot more going on onscreen it's understandable that this is the case. The lighting effects have been nicely done and in places the game definitely has a Splinter Cell feel to it. Generally the framerate is good and constant. There are slowdowns but they are never for more than very short periods and it doesn't spoil the game in anyway.

On the whole SOCOM isn't too bad at all for deaf gamers. The cutscenes and general in-game comments are not subtitled. Occasionally there is additional verbal advice that is not shown in text. This isn't a major problem but more often than not the advice is actually quite useful. Should you be within hear shot of a foreign speaking enemy though you'll have the English text appear onscreen which of course is very useful. However the mission briefings, mission details and objectives are all given in text as well as voice so you'll never be in any doubt as to what you'll have to. A rather nice touch is the small clips that show you visually where an objective is to be carried out (in a similar manner to Tony Hawks Pro Skater 3) as this avoids becoming confused as to what to do next. Once you've completed an objective you'll be shown, in text what the next objective is and you can recall all your objectives at any time by pressing the select button. Of course hearing gamers will be able to take advantage of the headset and issue voice orders to their AI team-mates. Deaf gamers needn't worry though because the orders can be issued equally well via the menus that appear when the circle button is pressed. Of course it is very possible that the headset might give hearing gamers an advantage whilst playing in an online game. As soon as we have broadband Internet access we'll provide information on this side of the game and its suitability for deaf gamers.

All things considered SOCOM US Navy Seals is a very enjoyable single player game. Of course we haven't looked at the whole package and the online game could well be awkward for deaf gamers. We should be acquiring broadband in the not too distant future so we'll add our verdict on that when it's possible. If you're interested in the single-player game though we would say it's well and truly worth it. There are some problems for deaf gamers and the AI isn't always what it should be but on the whole it's a very enjoyable game.

Overall Game Rating: 8.0/10*
If you're fancying a game in the Rainbow Six mould for your PlayStation 2 then this is it. The 12 missions are both addictive and enjoyable with only a few elements that disappoint.

Deaf Gamers comment:
There are some omissions for deaf gamers and inevitably this can make the game more difficult but on the whole you'll still be able to enjoy the game.

*Single-player game rating