Like any good shooter, SOCOM has plenty of gadgets, including a wide selection of grenades that can help you conquer even the stickiest of situations. But unlike many similar games, SOCOM thrives on a robust weapon customization system that's made up entirely of features and gadgets used in actual warfare. SOCOM: Confrontation introduced a new addition to the weapon customization system so that cover acts more realistically. If you hide behind a thin wall, there's a chance you'll still get hit.

While the scenarios players experience may be created by a bunch of sleep-deprived game designers, the groups and forces that take part in the stories are very real. Throughout the game's players will meet fictional characters from actual organizations. The Australian SASR, British SAS, Polish GROM, Russian SPETZNAZ and Spanish UOE can all be found in the SOCOM series. They're all real organizations that help make the game sound and feel more realistic.

SOCOM isn't just about realistic weapons, gadgets, and vehicles, and throwing you into a situation that could be possible in the real world. It's also about putting you in a frame of mind where you think like a soldier. In many FPS games you have several gadgets or abilities to choose from and running in guns blazing could solve almost any situation. In these games you and your squad have to strategize, trying to find the best path to complete your objective with as few casualties as possible. Here, the series really sets itself apart from the plethora of other games. As you dive into the gameplay, story, and weapons, you'll see just how much time and effort has been invested into making the experience feel real.

As shooters continue to simulate real world conditions and potential war scenarios (like Korea's invasion of the United States in Homefront), the desire to create a lifelike situation will only be pushed harder. The upcoming SOCOM 4 showcases the series' goal of pushing boundaries with its stories, environments, weapons, and wars. With SOCOM 4 just around the corner, it looks like the subgenre of tactical military video games will only get bigger and better.

By Adam Dodd
CCC Freelance Writer

*The views expressed within this article are solely the opinion of the author and do not express the views held by Cheat Code Central.*