| Average Rating: 93 out of 100
Owned by 381 users
On 281 wishlists
100
As soon as you start the game your first mission is in this little town in the desert and it is just amazing looking down the sand and seeing a little figure walking down the street just so you can pull out your sniper and pull up the scope and wait for your breathing to slow down so you have a steedy shot. No other 3rdPS or FPS can beat this. And the sound is mind blowing nothing beats walking into starbucks and playonline and scare people with the sounds of rockets and grenades going off. Im not sure if another game besides SOCOM is going to beat this and sound is what zipper interactive is known for.
This game loads faster than my PS2 SOCOM games thats all I have to say. This game gets a 5/5 for playability/replay value because after you beat all the missions on all 3 diffacuiltys and unlocked everything you still have online which is NEVER the same. So hands down this is the best 3rdPS/FPS for the PSP in my opinion.
88
This was one of my reasons for getting a wireless router, besides the fact that I have a laptop. So getting this game was definitely thought out for me, and I must say I'm glad I got that router. Without it the game is pretty much useless. But luckily, it wasn't useless for me so this is going to be a positive review! :D
Playability - 95
May not be so easily accessible at the beginning, but you eventually reteach yourself. The game is some what challenging but still pretty moderate. With online play this is a whole other story. The people on there are relentless! It will take awhile for you to finally reward yourself with a kill...A LOOOONG WHILE.
Load Times - 85
The load times do take about 10 seconds to load the level, but then that's it. For Online play it takes slightly longer but it's tolerable.
Graphics - 75
Disappointing in a way. Too pixelated and too clunky.
Sound - 95
Great sound. Great sound effects, such as gunshots and people screaming for their lives. It's nice and clear.
Overall Value - 90
For, I think, $40 it is worth it. Scratch that, the online play is worth it. The single player campaign is rather short but the online play ceases to amaze me. So here's the lowdown: If you have a router and you don't really care about the single player campaign than this is the game for you for the price.
96
Socom is just like its big brothers on the playstation 2. This time there are 2 men in your team ( you and lonestar). This game is awesome!! after you defeat campain mode, there is instant action. Instant action includes sabotage, rescue hostages, and others I don't remember at the moment. The controls are simple and you get used to it in no time. One thing I do everytime I play, I use the rifle. Hide out and sneak in a shot. When I say sneak in a shot, I mean HEAD SHOT.
95
This game is like all other SOCOM games where you go through mission with a team. Only this time you are only with one other person (hence the name, Fire Team Bravo). It has a pretty nice game play for a PSP game. Also after you complete the campaign there is instant action where you can play mission from hostage to Sabotage. Also this game has one nice feature I like is that you can get weapon and additional game play from SOCOM 3 and the PSP game gets additional weapon and game play from SOCOM 3. It is a little hard to get the hang of the controls at first but after a while it gets real easy to move around (maybe this is do to the fact that I have never play any other PSP game at the moment).
85
This is a fabulous game, maybe the best for PSP. You are a soldier who goes on high risk missions with your partner Lonestar, who is your inferior.
Graphics - 90
The graphics are almost perfect apart from when you're right on top of an enemy, where the camera gets a bit confused. The human details are excellent, and so are the backgrounds.
Gameplay - 100
There are loads of weapons (from rifles to knives) which all sound different and other gadgets like your camera and grenades. The levels are very detailed, and you can explore a huge area, which you need to do in some leves, in lots of detail.
The interaction with Lonestar is very good, although he isn't the brightest bulb in the world, and you can't rely on him to get you out of trouble. He can be used for manouevres like setting charges, breaching doors (chucking flash bangs and grenades in to put off the enemy) and other neat stuff. All these actions can be controlled by pressing the circle button and then selecting them.
The camera is in default third person view (which is where I like it) but can be changed in game. You control your character with the analog stick, which if your're used to, is very easy. Overall the controls are good
Playability - 90
I wouldn't say this is a pick up and play game, as some parts are quite complicated to master, but when you're more experienced it becomes easier. One of the frustrating things that keeps you baying for more is the fact that when you - or LONESTAR (see top of review) - are killed, you have to go back to the begining of the level. However, you rarely die as you lose your live quite slowly.
Load Times - 80
In general the levels take 15-20 seconds to load.
Sound - 80
All the weapons have different sounds and there is appropriatly corny music for the menus.
Length/Depth - 60 or 70
There is a quick play mode, where you can jump into a mission with objectives that you can choose yourself and a chosen difficulty level. There is a campaign mode where you and Lonestar go to 4 different places around the world. There is roughly 4 sub levels in each place. This however, does NOT last very long on easy difficulty (around 10 hours for a newbie). There are also Infrastructure and Ad-Hoc multiplayer modes, which are supposed to be very good but I have not tried (I'm engrosed in 100% the game first). There are some unlockable extras like multiplayer characters, weapons and introduction videos which lengthen your immense enjoyment of the game.
Value - 90
Overall, excellent value for money, especially if you have the headset which you can get and multiplayer. The single player is worth the money but just a bit to short.
100
I can't find anything wrong with this game. The graphics rock, the sound is just right (music and the guys talking to you from HQ). The only downside which doesn't affect the rating is that I keep losing my PSP to my husband, so I think I am going to have to buy him one too.
70
I rented this and I was disapointed with the single player. I'd say only buy if you have wifi otherwise this isn't worth it.
92
I rented Fireteam Bravo at the local Blockbuster, and I must say, I quite enjoyed it.
Gameplay
I've never played any of the original SOCOM titles, so I can't compare it to that. Either way, as a SOCOM n00b, I enjoyed the game quite thoroughly.
SOCOM: FTB demands a bit of stealth. This isn't the run and shoot style of game that Halo. With only two of you, and no sci-fi shields, or überweapons. Just you and your partner, and your health disappears frightfully fast when shot at. The solution? Take our your enemy before he sees you. The entire design of the game takes you through this aspect. The stealthometer, the different positions you can assume (standing, crouching, prone), the ability to customize your weapons (different scopes, silencers, etc.), and the commands you can issue to your AI partner (breach, clear, go to (with stealth), fire at will, etc.).
Controls
Unfortunately, the PSP's controls only seem to agree with this set-up due to the expert engineering in the game's software. Ordinarily, one would expect a dual-stick set-up, but it looks like the SOCOM guys have made due. The Lock-On ability is a great help, but it's no substitute to manually aiming. In other words, it's good for an encouter with an enemy at close range, but it's not a cheap kill. Online play will teach you that really quickly.
A problem that's specific to the PSP's hardware is sniping. The springs in the PSP's A-Pad aren't designed for subtle movements and slow drifts. The A-Pad is more suited to quick snaps and immediate turns. As such, getting an accurate snipe takes quite a bit of getting used to, especially if you're used to sniping on a console where the A-Sticks are a lot more sensitive (I.E. every console with analog). Luckily enough, the enemy AIs aren't all that bright, so you'll have enough time to line up your shot, before firing and hitting a post.
Graphics
The graphics impressed me. When they made FTB, they didn't cheap out and reduce the poly count in order to get good gameplay. Instead, they reduced the color level. With that, you get a very solidly designed appearance, with little interference from the hardware limitations. The levels feel very large, and well designed. Not so large, however, that they seem to go on forever, with no end in sight. From the first level, you'll get a good sense of space and depth.
You will notice that 16-bit color level, however (Your average PC, and I believe the XBox and some PS2 games, run at 32-bit color, which is believed to provide as many colors as the human eye is able to see) when smoke appears. Dithering is very apparent as the smoke starts to fade. Fortunately, however, the PSP's small screen makes it really hard to tell that the game is running at 16-bit color, without squinting at the game, examining it pixel by pixel.
Online Play
Online play is a totally different beast from single player mode. Generally, players don't like to hide out in the bushes and snipe each other. Most people prefer to run around with Kalishnikovs, shooting everything that moves. Theoretically, you can change weapons by pressing Select after you die, but I've never managed to come up with anyhing besides my AK-47.
The servers are quite populous, players with microphones aren't too hard to find, and the chaos is bound to entertain. One thing that I found quite impressive, was that I didn't have to decrypt my WiFi AP to play the game. That's right, FTB supports WPA encryption, in-game! Now you don't have to sacrifice security for gameplay.
Sound
I'm not going to lie. While playing FTB, I didn't care a whole lot for the sound. I was too distracted by the gameplay and the graphics to really pay attention. However, the voice acting is just as you'd expect it, you can hear detailed sounds (people chattering, bullet shells hitting the ground), and even bits of conversations between the enemies. I especially loved the drunk guy moseying around the first level, who claimed to invent the Macarena. The game had enough little touches like that to make it enjoyable, and to remind you: it's just a game.
Overall
If you're looking for a PSP game that you and all your FPS-craving friends want to play, FTB is it. It's quite a difference from games like Halo, Red Faction, and Time Splitters, but it's still an enjoyable one. With multi-player mode, you're given more than enough freedom to run about like crazed weasels, shooting everything in sight. Single player however, you do as the game says, or you'll find yourself eating a lead sandwich. However, that being said, you may want to rent it before buying, just to make sure the different game type sits well with you.
98
This game has the best multiplayer out of any of the games for PSP so far.
I give the graphics a 9, the scenery is a little bit edgy at times. The gameplay a 10 because of the campaign and online. The online a 10+ the best online game yet, with ability for 16 people per room. Add extra points for the headset capability for online.
Sound, each gun pretty much has its own sound. And the sound of your footsteps or someone elses footsteps is great, it even changes depending on what kind of surface you are walking on (snow, water, wood,etc.) Also it has depth in the sound, so you can tell how far someone else is walking away from you, and how far away someone else is shooting etc. This game wouldnt be as good without the infrastructure, because the normal game isn't bad, but it isn't great either. It goes by fast also, so don't buy the game just for the normal story mode.
Overall, this is one of the best PSP games so far, and you should get it for sure if you have access to WiFi. And get the headset also, it makes the online even better.
100
This game is such a blast to play. When I'm at home, I'm playing online. Whenever I get a chance to play it, I do. Being in High School, alot of people play Ad-hoc during class. It's such a blast. Only the more serious ones play in class. I can see where they come from when they play it all the time, since I am one of them. Great game.
100
This game can both be a Trigger happy run around and/or a fun organized life-like navy SEALs game. There always seems to be a plan formed in everyones mind so it is pretty organized, for example. I was playing a map where in 2 cave entrances a person was sitting at each one with an RPG shooting anyone who comes by. My team sort of just grouped together and moderately stealthely killed the opposing team. How the game plays there always seems to be some planning needed/made. So yes BUY IT. It is definetly fun. Offline or online.
97
Ever Since the PSP was released all I could see was the PSP's pure potential to be such a great gaming platform. All The games released up until now have been on a steady progression of improving graphics and game play. Every release has been a step forward in that evolution into the gaming machine the PSP is capable of being, and now PSP's fans around the globe, have Socom Navy Seals to look forward to! Will this be another step forward for the PSP?
Bring it on!
For those that have never played Socom, this game is based on a 2 man squad who work together like a swat team. You control your wingman Lonestar through a series of console commands that allow you control his 'behaviors' as well as actions. For example you can tell him to 'Fire at will' and he will engage any enemy that comes into his field of view, OR you can tell him to 'hold fire', 'Hold Position' and 'get down' making your job of sneaking around more manageable. My only real complaint about Lonestar is if you get too far ahead he often will forget his instructions and close the gap. This can be darned annoying when you're trying to crawl up behind a guard for a knife kill, only to see Lonestar walk up beside you! He can be very handy when entering doors. You can tell him to 'Frag then breach' and he will open the door and toss in a grenade, leaving you back to cover his entry and watch his back.
Online play is done through Wi-Fi and takes full advantage of the PSP’s infrastructure capabilities. The action is fast and extremely intense. No stupid A.I.s here, regular dumb players now (just kidding). When you fist go on, you are prompted to make your own account (username and password) and that's about it, then you are ready to go into the massive world that is online gaming.
Graphics
I've heard a number of people say that the graphics are not very good and are not up to the PSP‘s high standards, however I disagree. I understand that they are not up to par with the 360or some of the newer games on the PS2 but we seem to be forgetting that this is a portable platform, and I would never of imagined that we could see games like we are on a portable so I am very pleased with the visuals. The weather effects and explosions are great everything looks fantastic for a handheld. The death animations are great and watching blood pour from the head of a terrorist from 300 yards through a sniper rifle is really satisfying. The games textures are more along the quality of late PS1 games yet the cut scenes are more along the quality of PS2 games I don't find the graphics to remotely detract from the game at all. What you have to understand is that developers have to find a happy medium when creating games for handhelds and they have done a great job on Socom!
Overall
With a fun and engaging single player, and a deep and full featured multiplayer, this game has a lot going for it. Add to this the fact that missions you have played in the campaign can then be tailored in Instant Action mode with randomly placed enemies and objectives and the replay value of this title goes through the roof. This game is truly unique and in keeping with the SOCOM tradition. Great controls, great graphics, and a ton of fun! Once you've begun playing, you cannot stop thinking about it. Wait, there it is in your pocket so you pick it up and keep going and going. This game is awesome, by far one of the best games on the PSP to Date!
93
Often times I read reviews on PSP games complaining about the PSP's graphics, and how bland certain textures and environments are. However, its important to look at the gameplay. For me as a gamer, I want to play a game thats fun, regardless of its graphics. SOCOM is a great addition to the PSP's library, and it is definitely the best online PSP game that you will come across.
Like the PS2 versions of SOCOM, the single player isn't really what the hype is about. While it does have length, some great voice acting and a very involving story line, the true gem of this game comes from the online play which is so deep and exciting that you'll find you've lost countless hours of your life to this highly addictive game. I can usually control myself with games, but SOCOM took that barrier away from me.
16 player online matches involve strategy, regardless of the new auto target system which is perfectly executed, and if you've got a headset, get ready to start doing some trash talking or give out orders. Unlike the PS2 SOCOM 2, there is no weight system that will slow your character down, a feature which may or may not come to your liking when taken away.
The levels are not too small and not too big, and buildings can often add great places for defense or offense, while open terrain will have you in a modern day West Side Story. The new Captive mode has you reviving other teammates while you attempt to stop the other team reviving their own, and its really just an exciting and fun new mode that players will come to love.
Whether you know the SOCOM series or not, the PSP version of the game will definitely be on the top of everyone's list for their PSP games. As far as replay value goes, this game will have you coming back to it for a long while, so if you were ready to put down your PSP to collect dust, this game will definitely put it in its rightful redemption.
100
This is possibly the best PSP game I own. The gameplay is fantastic and the controls are spot on (unlike Star Wars Battlefront II). It's also quite an easy game to play but is still a challenge, which makes it so enjoyable. Everyone with a PSP should own a copy.
82
The graphics are baaaaaaaad, and that's a big downside. The online play is fun, however the leaderboard is completely messed up. If you don't play one day, it brings you down about 5,000. I used to be in the 20,000s, however every single day I get a lot lower so now I'm at about 65,000, although I get many MVP's, and win a lot, and don't have a lot of deaths. That is another annoying part. But other than those annoying little quirks the game is worth $40, however it is not an award-winner.
98
I for one thought this game was very fun and addicting. The gameplay is awesome and the controls are easy to get used to. Plus, infrastructure is very very fun, especially with the headset.
98
This game is the nasty. I was unsure of how the control scheme would be. To my surprise, it is surprisingly good and easy to pick up. The cutscenes are out of this world. While the single player is acceptable, i.e. stupid AI, this game is aimed at the online community with its 16 player online. Not to mention the headset capabilities. As far as lag goes, there is slim to none even when a server is full. This is by far the best PSP game on the market at the moment, in my opinion, and you should definitly pick it up.
95
The game truely is a must have for people wanting to do something other than sit alone and play with their PSPs. This game actually gets you interacting with people and has re-introduced me back into online gaming. Something that I've given up on back with the release of Tribes 2 for the PC (about 5 years ago). Basically, online games back then lacked the refinement that Socom FTB has and I'm simply amazed by that.
With an easy to pick up control system and plenty of weapon options it is a very well rounded game. I can get into the same things everyone else has said already about this game but I'd rather gripe and moan about why it's not a 100% perfect game.
• Even though the controls are good it would have been nice to be able to change them if one so desired.
• Short campaign with 14 stages.
• Graphics are pretty low tech but then again that's better than low framerates.
Basically if you ignore my petty little gripes above you got a solid 95% game with an amazing multiplayer setup. Then you get to the headset which isn't part of the game but it has made me mad enough to mention.
• You need your remote in order to use the headset. I found this out after I misplace my old remote forcing me to purchase a new one.
• Cord is black, my remote is white. Come on Sony, whats up with that?
• Headset didn't come with the game. I payed $35 for the game ($5 coupon rocked) and I payed $20 for the headset. I'd rather have seen a set of both for $50.
• Headset to me isn't comfortable. I'm in the process of making a new one. I've seen a few people online turn their old Xbox headsets into one that works with the PSP. Nothing too hard if you have a soldering iron.
Aside from all the griping the headset is still cool and I hope they adopt it for future games.
If I were to include the headset as part of the game review I'd be giving this game a 90% but it truely deserves better and I'm proud to give it a smooth 95.
95
SOCOM FTB is definitely a "must have" game. Theres not much else to say really.
This is a very well put together game. The controls are fairly well done considering the PSP's lack of a second analog stick. The graphics are great for being something you can take with you on the train. Sound is well done. The missions are a good mixture of elimination, capture, espionage, and stealth.
Controls
The control layout is fairly well done, although I still have yet to figure out how to use the under-barrel mounted grenade launchers. The Right shoulder lock on and left shoulder strafe buttons work great. I'm pretty satisfied with the control, and I'm a hardcore "keyboard and mouse is the best and controllers cause my death in FPS games" type of guy.
Missions
There's a good mixture of killing (or surpressing) the bad guys, stealthing your way into locations, sabotaging generators, disarming bombs, finding and capturing personel, photographing conversations, and others I have yet to come across. It's definately not just a "shoot everything in sight" sort of game.
Online Play
Online play is great! I've been trying out the Infrastructure mode, and while I haven't yet made much use of the mic, and neither has anyone else it seems, playing online with up to 15 others is a blast. There are a few things I'm starting to hate, but it's not the games fault. Occasionally you get into a game where it becomes an RPG versus AT-4 battle. Guys will find a spot and just sit there RPG'ing and lobbing grenades, which is not only very unrealistic, but sucks when the RPG can kill you through 20 feet of rock. Other than that, the online play is fabulous!
Conclusion
I'd have to say this is a very well put together game, and a definite must buy. Did I say that already? If you own a PSP, you owe it to yourself to go get SOCOM FTB. If you don't, you should think about getting a PSP and SOCOM FTB!
89
Fireteam Bravo is relatively easy to get into. Controls easily allow anyone to play the game, and learn within a few minutes what to do. It's highly addicting both online and off, and offers plenty of replay value for players.
Fireteam Bravo offers plenty of big, fast firefights, and small stealth battles too. It all depends on how you and the other member of your squad work together. Controls are easily issued through a menu, and the ally AI actually follow the commands. Each mission is designed differently, but will offer plenty of great combat for fans of military shooters. You can also replay missions that you've beaten, this time able to choose if you want to have an objective more stealth-based, or more combat themed, and even, more defensive with hostages which you must escourt out of the area.
Graphics on the character models themselves are great, with a ton of detail on all the different armor, weapons, and everything else. Characters animate realistically too.
The problem with graphics is the actual environments themselves. While they fit locations where the game takes place, there aren't too many textures or objects besides mountains and occassional supply areas in outdoor levels. Indoor levels have more objects such as desks, stairways, and sewer pipes. These have relatively bland textures too, but the overall chaos tends to make you not notice these problems very often.
Sound is 100% perfect. Guns are loud, and sound realistic, from firing, to reloading, to dropping of these weapons, everything is realistic. Enemies speak in the native language of the land which they are in, that is unless the enemy is from a foreign area, in which case they speak the language of their own country.
With a price tag of only $40, you can't go wrong, since Fireteam Bravo offers the best online experience on the PSP so far, and the offline experience is pretty great too.
95
Great, truly fantastic game. Slightly intertwined with SOCOM 3, it takes place from Chile to Morocco, to South Asia, and finally to Poland. Great gameplay (a little too short, though), but the main thing that has to be brought to light, is the multiplayer. It is hands down the best multiplayer game out for the PSP, and I dont think anything is gonna be beating it there for a long time. The only negative thing about the game to me are the slightly below par graphics. great game, though, good buy.
99
I love this game. Get a PSP head set so that you can communicate with your teammates online. The online experance is is very close to Xbox Live. Being able to talk to your teammates opens up a whole new demension to the game play. This game is a buy.
90
This is the only game on the PSP that has left me with the motivation to write a review. If by some crazy reason you havn't picked up a copy (I live in the UK and still bought it) I really must advise you to buy it. If you live in the UK, as the game isn't out yet, and won't be for a long time, you really should consider importing it.
Graphics - 85
Not the best by PSP standard but I'm sure the developers did this to allow smooth online (and offline) play. They still look great though, with detailed environments and good player models.
Gameplay - 90
I thought the gameplay would take a hit due to the auto aim direction of the game but it still feels and plays like Socom on the PS2. If you like no-brain shooters or you want something more tactics based you can all find inner peace with this. You can shoot your way through the medium campaign or think through the hard, it really does have something for everyone.
Sound - 95
The ear candy rocks, nuff said.
Lifespan 40+ hrs
This is where Socom takes off and leaves GTA behind. Both have similar length single player campains but Socom's multiplayer, good god. This is my first taste of online on the PSP and I am extremely impressed. Online is a wonderful experience, the load times are very good, comparable to PC games (thankfully shorter than Battlefield 2). There are ranked games for modding your stats or non-ranked for some friendly(ish) action. Then there are the different modes: suppression, captive, free for all, etc. Put simply the online is amazing.
Buy this game. Now.
70
I have never played a game that gets such great reviews and ghosts this bad on the PSP. It is a great game, and with VOIP and online, it's probably the best choice out there for online lovers. It is very well done, the controls are great, but it's hard to get beyond the "special" effects of this game. I love you Sony, but why in the world would you make such a beautiful device, have such a large hinderance? I want to see more games like SOCOM without the ghosting, or is that too much to ask for?
93
Socom FTB, at first wasn't hyped uped (or was it?) but it is by far one of the best shooters for the PSP. Zipper has the succesful internet enabled socom series on the ps2, and yes Socom FTB is online for PSP. If you do buy the $20 headset you can communicate with teamates which makes the experience so much better.
Single player consists of you, Sandman, and your partner, Lonestar, which makes up the fire team. On the PS2 Socoms you have 4 teamates, but it's not that different at all from the original. The game takes you across the world to places like Chile and 12 missions in all. The AI is not as hard as Halog Legendary, but it is made up for by solid gameplay, and overall fun killing terrorists. The game has wepons ranging from frag grenades, every wepon I can think of starting with M, shotguns, RPG's, and you can also accessorize the weapon to a certain extent. This meaning sights, and grenade launchers.
The controls have a 15 minute learning curve, and once you have it down, it's great. Analog controls movement, D-pad controls various actions (zoom, switch wepons, etc..) and face buttons control othe ractions. The camera control is natural in the movement and aim is put to the right trigger. With a hostile in sight hold are and press X to fire. The accuracy depends on stance, movement of you and the hostile, and so on. This allows the game to be more fair.
Online play is done through WiFi on worldwide play, and action is intense. No stupid A.I.s here, regular dumb players now (jusk kidding). When you fist go on, you are prompted to make your own account and that's about it. Online play modes include suppression (team deathmatch), captive (like suppression but your teamates can heal you), demolition (your teams tries to blow up the enemy's base with a bomb. Your team has to get the bomb first), and the favorite and classic free for all. Working with your team to win is even easier with the headset, even though there are a few problems. First, you have to change some options on your ports, and at times you can't hear a person, or your headset doesn't respond. This however never happened to me, I'm lucky, and on a side note, you need the included remote to us the headset. A big plus also is that there is no lag that I could find, and the game always ran smoothly.
The graphics in Socom FTB are nothing to laugh at, or praise for that matter. Not beautiful, but gets the job done. They are comparable to Socom 2, which is not bad but not great.
If you haven't picked this game up yet, it's solid and fun so consider it.
99
If you get this game for single player, smack yourself. Only get this if you want an awesome multiplayer, then single player. I rented it, and now love it. Im getting it for Christmas. The single player is ok, but I only played the first level, becuse I was playing multiplaer all the time. Also, if you think auto aim is cheap, its not really. You have to be a certain distance, stance, and sometimes weapon to kill another person. It all depends on that, then your skillz, and awareness. If you wnt to shoot grenades, or bazooka, you have to manual aim, which is a little hard, but it is impossible. Overall, get this for multiplayer!
96
Very nice, the graphics took it down a couple of points, not bad though.
96
Wow, since the first day I owned the PSP all I could see was its potential. The games released up until now have been on a steady progression of improving graphics and gameplay. Every release has been a step forward in that evolution into the gaming machine the PSP is capable of being. Like the flying squirrel, Socom is a leap forwards in that evolution of change. From the first time you play through the missions to your first time online. Socom changes the way you view your PSP and its possibilities!
The missions themselves are fun and challenging even on the lowest difficulty setting. The levels are large enough to make you believe they are part of a larger world, while small enough to be playable. For example, on one of the early missions you're required to clear and cross a bridge, clear a ravine camp of enemies 1/4 mile away and then progress to an underground encampment another 1/3 mile along only to find yourself 1/4 mile away from the pickup point! If, like me, you enjoy stealth and sniping, you'll get your fix here. There is a large amount of variety to the missions that take you throughout the world tracking terrorists and infiltrating their encampments in the day and night through rain and snow.
For those that have never played Socom, this game is based on a 2 man squad who work together like a swat team. You control your wingman Lonestar through a series of console commands that allow you control his 'behaviors' as well as actions. For example you can tell him to 'Fire at will' and he will engage any enemy that comes into his field of view, OR you can tell him to 'hold fire', 'Hold Position' and 'get down' making your job of sneaking around more manageable. My only real complaint about Lonestar is if you get too far ahead he often will forget his instructions and close the gap. This can be darned annoying when you're trying to crawl up behind a guard for a knife kill, only to see Lonestar walk up beside you! He can be very handy when entering doors. You can tell him to 'Frag then breach' and he will open the door and toss in a grenade, leaving you back to cover his entry and watch his back. Even with his imperfections, Lonestar is an intergral part of this game and will save your tuna from the fire when you least expect it.
The online play is where Socom really redefines the way you see your PSP. The most astounding and useful feature is the voice over IP. There's nothing like working with a team to clear a trainyard, using the voice ability to keep in constant contact with your teamates and thier locations. It will redefine the way you see the possibilities of the PSP and make you wonder why it hasn't been implemented in every game! The voice quality and implementation of the mic input is great! People can't 'talk over' each other as you must wait your turn to talk. Once you're dead you can still talk with other teamates, but only if they too are dead. Which is a smart way to reduce unwanted chatter. You can even talk with the other team during the wait period between games in the lobby.
While in the lobby you can reconfigure your 'loadout' weapons, allowing you to carry any of a number of primary and secondary weapons. You can carry extra ammo or just a load of grenades with which you can lay back and frag an entrance or exit to an area.With the ability to play a variety of gametypes with up to 16 players per map, the power of the PSP is apparent.
I've read a number of reviews that say the graphics aren't up to snuff. Maybe it's because I started gaming with a paddle and ball (Pong) but in my mind the graphics are great. Yes, I understand that they aren't up to par with the 359.5 or the PSIII but from weather effects to explosions everything looks fantastic for a handheld. The death animations are really gripping! Watching blood spew from the head of a sniper wound from 300 yards through a sniper rifle is really satisfying and the variety of death throws is really amazing! The games textures are more along the quality of the PS1 yet the cutscenes are more along the quality of Halo cutscenes! I don't find the graphics to remotely detract from the game and if I have any complaint its the lack of decals for bullet shots, and shadows.
Holy crap, the sounds in this game are unreal! Full stereo sound allows you to 'hear' whether someone is behind or in front of you and if good enough, you can judge distance with a little experience. You'll find yourself avoiding going through cabins on one level, JUST to avoid the clacking of your boots on the wooden floors. The music is fantastic and does a great job of setting the mood for each loadout.
Aiming is done buy holding the right trigger to 'lock on' to an enemy. While this might seem like cheating, once you've played a little while, you realize that it's by no means a sure kill. Your range from target, speed and height from the ground all play into your aiming. As does the weapon you're using. You'll quickly learn that on larger maps, short range weapons will find you taking fire from unseen oponents with better ranged weapons. While on smaller maps, weapons like the saw allow a quick kill at close range. If sniping, you enter 'freelook' as soon as you zoom your rifle and can choose your targets carefully (can you say HEADSHOT!?). There's only one negative thing about aiming, sometimes you can see your target through your scope, while you're actually behind a wall or ridge. More than once I gave away my position by firing a shot only to hit the wall in front of me, instead of the head at which I was aiming! You quickly learn to make allowances for that!
The loadtimes are very minimal. The longest loadtime is when you first start the game, which is very acceptable.
As I said at the beginning. This game redefines the way I see my PSP and is now the ruler by which all other games will be measured! Should you buy this game? If there was one game I would take with me to a desert island it would be Socom. (Assuming the island has a wireless router!)
94
I'm all about the handheld, considering that I do a lot of traveling on a daily basis. I guess that I would have considered myself pretty knowledgable about the gaming world, especially the protable gaming world. Man, was I wrong.
For starters, I've played protables like the original Game Boy, GB advance, the DS, and even that handheld SEGA GENESIS, (Nomad). The portables could never handle the types of games found on platforms because of the necessary disc size, this is where Sony knows how to be the technology geniuses that they truly are. I've been playing Infected, Lumines and WipeOut to name a few, but nothing that had as much depth as Fire Team Brovo.
This game is truly unique and in keeping with the SOCOM tradition. Great controls, great graphics, and a ton of fun, even more so than the platform version, and I attribute that to the portability. Once you've begun playing, you cannot stop thinking about it. Wait, there it is in your pocket so you pick it up and keep going. I even find that it's fairly easy to get a game online going, although not everyone has a headset, therefore it seems quieter than the PS2 versions online.
Overall, this is the game I believe every PSP owner should own because it appeals to players of all ages and likes.
85
Finally Socom for PSP, First I think this game is really good, the graphics and sound are really good. I thought the controls were a little hard to adjust to, but once you get the hang of it the turn out to make sense and work smoothly.
One of my gripes is that the single player moe could have been longer - it has good replay but once you beat it, why bother. I love the intergration with Socom 3 for PS2 - great concept.
Online play is by far the best part of this game, the headset is a must. I had a blast jumping online and fraggin everyone. Although I did notice that a few players were able to glitch out and cheat but I have faith in the devolpers that they will fix this issue. All in all I highly recommend this game!
90
The feeling you'll get when you fire this one up is just pure glee. It's straight up SOCOM baby and its all in the sweaty little palms of your hands. The look is right on target. The menu system is intuitive. It's all here.
The game lacks a tad bit in this area. I understand why, but I think they probably could have done a little better. The reason is that these levels are pretty darn big for the old PSP. You'll see some areas drawing as you move through them, but I don't feel like it ever changes gameplay. The characters have what is needed for a SOCOM game (and I don't just mean weapons).
I appreciate the work done on sound effects here. When in battle anywhere (campaign or online) it is great to be able to hear where gunfire is coming from. I can even hide out and hear people walking towards me and from which direction.
I haven't been able to get my headset to work yet. (Yes, I bought one at EBgames on Saturday.) I understand there are some configuration changes to be done on my router. I will say the headphone portion of the headset works great though.
I don't know what the heck people are complaining about here. Is it different from the PS2? Absolutely! Is it something as hard to use as a lot of games out there? (Coded Arms or GTA: LCS) Nope. After about ten or fifteen minutes, you should have the control scheme down.
Alright, here's where any other issues with the game can be forgiven. First off, I'd like to personally thank all involved with development of the online multiplayer function of this game. It is virtually flawless. I was on this freaking thing all weekend long and even got in trouble with the wife for it. I just couldn't stop playing it online. I have the thumb and finger aches to prove it. I never noticed any slowdown or sluggishness in the slightest. Really, the only reason I'm not coughing up a perfect score is the issue with the headsets not working properly.
Way to go guys!!!
Go now and buy this. It is fantastic. If you have any interest in this type of game and you have a wireless setup at home or anywhere near you that you don't mind hanging out, quit reading, run to the nearest nerd supply store and purchase this (and maybe the PSP headset as well) immediately.
pgr-hawkmankt will see you online. Over and out!
93
SOCOM: Fire Team Bravo is a fantastic shooter for a handheld. Heck, it’s a pretty good shooter for any platform. Zipper Interactive has delivered one of the most fully featured games available for the PSP in terms of connectivity and overall quality, and is a must buy for FPS fans who want to bring a tactical shooter on the go.
You play as Sandman, an elite member of the US navy Seals. Backed up by your partner (only one teammate in the PSP version) Lonestar you will spend most of your time infiltrating enemy encampments, rescuing hostages, and blowing things up. While the setting and themes are nothing new, this game delivers on the experience. Single player is quite well developed. Before each mission you are given a briefing complete with intel reports, maps, and enemy briefings.
You and your partner will be able to select from a limited assortment of weapons and accessories of destruction including sniper rifles, assault rifles, and shotguns, grenades, mines, anti tank rockets, and satchel charges. Combining your weapons with silencers, scopes and even grenade launchers adds more variety to the tools you can bring into combat. Once you are loaded out the mission begins in various hot spots all over the world.
Enemies speak in foreign languages and are animated well, cut scenes have all the quality and finish of thier PS2 counterparts, and mission variety in location and objective is quite good. The AI is a little loopy at times. While they will generally dive for cover and engage you when they see you, their sight ranges can be a little awkward. Some times you’ll be able to almost walk right up to them, sometimes they see you from miles away. They also suffer from the 'oh look, my friend just got dropped like a sack of dirt, let me hang around and look confused' syndrome (although they do become more alert when this happens), which makes them feel pretty stupid at times. Despite this, the shooting and sneaking is fun and engaging, with rewards given to the elusive player that uses silenced weapons and back stabbing knife kills.
You can issue commands to your partner to breach doors, cover areas, and place explosives all of which he does competantly. However, he seems to have the same problem with his eyes that the enemy does so don't expect him to see things that you don't. This give your comrade more of a robotic drone feel than an actual partner.
Many people were worried about the control scheme, the Zipper as done a great job translating the controls from the PS2 versions of the series. The analog stick works in two modes. Either you can use it to move around and use the are button to target enemies, or you can switch to “Freelook” mode where the stick controls your view. In Freelook you can still move by holding the L button, but it makes getting around a little more clumsy. What’s that? Auto Targeting enemies? What a crock? Well, actually, auto targeting makes you take a pretty good accuracy penalty, and when fighting someone that is targeting using free look, you’ll probably get wasted in multiplayer, so switching from freelook to movement on the analog stick has to become part of your strategy. It actually works out quite well.
Multiplayer is where this title pulls away from the pack. Using Wi-Fi and broadband access, there is little lag and the games moves along well. There are lots of players online so finding people to play against is a snap. Here’s where the feature list gets impressive. You can access profiles online, browse and post to forums through your PSP to discuss the game, you can use the fully functional game browser of course, add friends to your friends list and find them online and a slew of other online features never seen on a handheld. You can even get the optional headset and use voice coms in game! While these features aren’t new on consoles, sitting in an airport, playing SOCOM with live voice chat all through your little PSP is damn sexy (to us geeks).
Well, they are certainly serviceable, with great animations when the bullets start flying, but the textures and models are a little low poly. This is offset by the relative size of the maps, which take some time to get around and can become pretty complex. Don’t get this game to show off the raw visual beauty of the system, but once you start playing the game, you’ll be having so much fun you won’t notice.
One word, awesome! Having fired real versions of some of these weapons, I can say that the sound coming out of your headset is pretty accurate. Audio processing is also pretty good, and firing inside reverb different than outside and the audio environment is there with water and wind noises adding to the effect. This game sounds great.
With a fun and engaging single player, and a deep and full featured multiplayer, this game has a lot going for it. Add to this the fact that missions you have played in the campaign can then be tailored in Instant Action mode with randomly placed enemies and objectives and the replay value of this title goes through the roof. Also, if you happen to have a copy of SOCOM 3 for PS2, completing extra mission objectives on your PSP will unlock extras in that game and vice versa. A cool little extra feature, and in the end that is what makes this game really shine. All the little extra features and well though out additions make this title a hard one to pass up. Graphical pretty boys will slam the visuals, and shooter purists will hate the auto aim, but don’t pay any attention.
This game is fun and well worth your time.
85
After spending the better part of the last week with SOCOM, my honest opinion is that it is the best game on the system yet that I have played.
Controls
The controls work as well as you could expect with only one stick. The lock-on feature works very well and does not detract from the difficulty of the game. Other controls like movement, changing weapons, etc. Are all great.
Gameplay
Gameplay is solid, with missions that vary in objectives and difficulty.
Graphics
Probably the weakest point of the game. While it runs at a smooth 30 FPS, the environments are pretty bland with few objects. Pop-in is noticable but not bad, and the draw distance is also OK but not great. Character models are better though, with nice animations and detail.
Sound
Top notch. Everything from voice acting, music, to sound effects are as good as it gets. Put on your headphones and enjoy!
Multiplayer
AWESOME! Absolutely no lag even with 16 players. Online interface offers many of the details one would expect on a console with buddy lists, clans, stats, etc. Worth the price of admission alone!
Conclusion
Overall, a solid game and probably the most fully-featured and solid game for the PSP. If the graphics were a notch or two better it would be THE killer app for the PSP.
99
All I have to say is, WOW! The graphics, the controls, the gameplay, the AI, it's all just absolutely mindblowing. The load times are QUICK, framerate is BEAUTIFUL, tansitioning from 3rd person to 1st person to zoomed scope is smooth and natural, no slowdown.
Once you beat a level (in which you can affect the ACTUAL GAMEPLAY of your future SOCOM 3 missions on PS2) it becomes available for instant play in which you can set your own mission parameters. Be it sweep and clear, hostage extraction or a number of stealth scenarios, it's basically a SOCOM sandbox.
And speaking of sandbox, did I mention the sheer ecstasy of 16 player online FFA (That's Free-For-All for you uninitiated) matches?! Seriously, THOUSANDS of players online at most times, no problem finding a match.
Like I said at the beginning of this review, just go out and buy it!!!! (PS, I only rated it a 99 hoping Zipper Interactive wouldn't think it was perfect and keep on their toes for the sequel!! <I WANT VEHICLES!!!>
90
I just bought Socom yesterday, and I have to tell you that this is worth every penny and it was worth the wait! The contorls have a learning curve but after awhile the game plays smoothly. Don't get me wrong it's not perfect but by far the best shooter. My only wish is that the graphics were better. Great game, everybody should get it. See you on the battle feild.
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