SOCOM 2: US Navy Seals

Our hands-on with the latest version of SOCOM's promising sequel results in full preview treatment. Media update inside.

	Version PS2	Developer Zipper Interactive	Publisher Sony	Genre Action/Stealth

By Joe Ten Brook

Zipper interactive was catapulted into the limelight last year with the release of SOCOM: US Navy Seals. SOCOM ushered in voice communication and gameplay similar to the PC hit CounterStrike, and most of all, online play that was superior to anything else on Sony's console. Zipper has been working hard to turn SOCOM 2 into not only a great sequel, but another excellent game in Sony's library. Expect some considerable improvement on the greatest parts of SOCOM and some great new additions as well.

SOCOM 2's graphics are similar to last year's hit, but at the same time some minor graphical tweaks have been afforded. These tweaks come in a few different forms. First, players of the first game may notice enhanced character models, which by most standards look great. Other improvements have been made to the animations as well. Every movement looks extremely life-like and really adds a great amount of realism and credibility to the game and its basis.

The real treatment has been to SOCOM 2's gameplay. The meat of the gameplay still focuses on stealth and accuracy and often times you will want to crouch to avoid being an open target. The controls remain largely unchanged as well, although this is good because the controls are excellent for the most part and could not get much better without being perfect. Firefights remain short and brutal as well due to a high degree of realism. There is little room for error when engaging the enemy and the great controls help this from becoming too frustrating.

Additions do come into play once you move beyond the controls and the very concept of the game. Zipper has added 12 new single player missions to the fray as well as expanding on the online side of things. Zipper has also added new weapons, including the grenade launcher, turrets, and other little things like being able to call in air strikes.

SOCOM 2's online play is a great as ever as well, if not better. From the outset Sony has put a ban on all cheat devices and has put several measures into place to see that SOCOM 2 doesn't become as infested with it as the original did. Zipper has added 12 new multi-player maps and enhanced versions of all 10 from the first game. Each of the new maps is well thought out and provides the potential for ambushes and some excellent sniping due to the fact that several levels offer multiple routes to key areas.

Finally, to top it off there are two new gameplay modes when online: escort and breach. Escort has the seals escorting VIP's and protecting them while breach has the seals planting bombs within the terrorists' stronghold. As you might imagine the online portion of SOCOM 2 has seen some significant improvements and what awaits the player is nothing short of great.

In terms of music, SOCOM 2 isn't half bad either. One would expect corny music or no music at all, which does happen from time to time. Largely though the music is Orchestral and sounds awesome. Sometimes the music stops though, which can be good if you're communicating with other players. Adding once more to the realism is the excellent sound effects. All of the guns sound great and none of them sound ridiculous or overdone.

SOCOM 2 really could become the great player that Sony is pushing it to be. The single player experience is realistic and intuitive, while the online portion is fun, fast and challenging. While Sony's online market is growing SOCOM 2 really stands out as one of the best so far in that respect. With only a month or so left in the development cycle, we will see just how great SOCOM 2 turns out. When that day arrives you can expect a full review and of course, we'll see you online!