System: PSP
Dev: Zipper
Pub: Sony
Release: Oct 2006
Players: 1 - 16
Review by Cole

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Review Rating Legend
1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid
2.0 - 2.4 = Poor
2.5 - 2.9 = Average
3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
3.5 - 3.9 = Good
4.0 - 4.4 = Great
4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
5.0 = The Best

By completing these side missions you will earn points that you can use to purchase new weapons and equipment. There are some 40 different weapons in the game that range from grenades to sniper rifles and just about anything else you can think of that launches projectiles. You will also earn points based on your relationship with the locals. If you are well respected you will earn points that you can use to command an air strike that will destroy an entire nest of baddies, or you can have supplies such as medkits air dropped. Depending on your rep the locals will also supply you with information as to where the enemies are hiding and will also sell you weapons and supplies on the black market.

Aiming is accomplished with a lock-on targeting system which keeps any specific enemy in your sights even as you circle around them. When confronted by multiple enemies you can cycle through the targeting system to take out the most immediate threat. This system works well for a couple of enemies but you’re going to need a lot of luck and skill when taking on a handful of them, especially if you’re near the end of a level and are faced with the prospect of having to start over if you get killed.

Your AI companion does a decent job of watching your ass. You can just leave him alone and let him do his thing or you can take charge and issue commands such as “hold your position” and “fire at will.” You can also just tell him to follow you. There are a lot of different scenarios in each level which will require some recon before you make a move. Sometimes you can take cover and shoot at the enemy from a safe distance and other times you’ll have to run-and-gun your way through waves of enemies. The fact that the game relies on elements of strategy and stealth gives the gameplay a lot of depth not commonly associated with shooters.

The single-player mode can take you upwards of 10 hours, and you can always go back and try some of the side-missions that you may have rejected the first time through. You can also try different weapons and techniques on some of these missions which will increase the single-player replay value, but the online multi-player mode is a definite must. It will accommodate up to 16 players and features 12 huge maps as well as seven play modes which are your typical variations of Deathmatch, King of the Hill and Last Man Standing. Intel-Grab is one of several new modes that is a variation of Capture the Flag. Target is another new mode in which all players attempt to locate a specific target and keep it under their control for as long as possible. Technically the online game is relatively smooth but one time the server I was connected to was inferior and caused some very noticeable latency. This is going to happen from time to time so just change your connect. Online features include a buddy list, leaderboard and voice chat using the PSP headset.

Aside from some slowdown in the single-player mode when there are numerous enemies onscreen at one time, there are no serious bugs or glitches with this game. The graphics are great and maintain a consistent level of detail and quality even though the environments are continually changing. Missions take place in industrial complexes, in secret underground tunnels, amidst decaying rural cities and even in snow-covered mountainous regions. There is a good sense of distance and perspective so that you can see enemies a long way off and make your plans accordingly as to where to proceed and take cover. There are lots of voiceovers and not only are they well produced but they are a must to listen to as they reveal important information about your mission and the storyline. The music and sound effects are also of high quality which is a benefit of an established franchise.

SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 2 may not be the easiest name to remember, but as a game it’s impossible to forget.

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