SOCOM: US Navy Seals

SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs takes full advantage of online gameplay, featuring a 16 multiplayer mode, 3 game types in 12 online multiplayer maps that were created specifically for online play, persistent servers, and great clan support. The game is only available to broadband users for online play because of the rich gameplay, which should significantly cut the lag time so many other games have a problem with. Even better, SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs is free to play online.

SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs is perhaps one of the most lifelike FPS to develop, with Sony using actual SEALs for consulting purposes. The missions, movements, tactics and SEALs themselves are true to life and unparalleled. The weapons, which you can carry two of at a time, are realistically accurate and react to real-life factors like fatigue, movement and weapon recoil.

But for the majority, the most anticipated feature of SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs is the headset that is bundled with the game ... It boasts voice recognition capabilities that will come in quite handy during the game, as it's hard to shoot down terrorists while typing on a keyboard. Shout to your teammates for help and they'll (hopefully) come to your aide, all with minimal lag time. During single-player mode, enemies will also react to your vocal commands.

Overall, this is an excellent FPS. From the previews and gameplay at E3, I have not one single complaint about the game. It's fun, exciting, and has great replay value. Dial-up users will be disappointed that the game is only available to broadband users for online play, but that feature will only help the game, making it much more enjoyable to play over the internet without huge delays.


Not a gimmick...it's the real deal   October 3, 2002
Gaijin (Hilo, HI United States)
23 out of 24 found this review helpful

Having watched the progress of this title over the months, I came away very pleased with the final product. SOCOM US Navy SEALS is a great tactical shooter. Those looking for a FPS where you go in guns blazing are in for a surprise, as this is not that type of game. And it shouldn't be, since Zipper had input from the US Military on this game.

The headset/microphone is what makes the difference in this game. Yes, the graphics are great, the sounds perfect, and the levels (both on and offline) superb. The headset makes a good game into a superb one. You use it to control your team in the single player mode, barking orders to them and surprisingly, it works without a hitch. I tried using accents, changing my voice, and all sorts of things to get the thing not to work and yet it works. I swear at least 99 percent of the time the game recognizes your commands. It sounded like a gimmick, but it works so well I was surprised.

And now we get to what many of you will buy the game for. Online play. Yes, play with up to 15 other people online via a broadband connection (you do need the PS2 network adapter) and take the role of a SEAL or a Terrorist. There are 3 modes online:

Supression: your standard deathmatch...take out the other team.

Demolition: Sort of a capture the flag game where two teams race for a bomb in the middle of the map and has to plant it at the other team's base. If it's planted at your base, you've got 30 seconds to defuse it. A lot of fun when you have 7 others on your team against another team of 8.

Extraction: My favorite mode: SEALS have to rescue and extract via a helicopter at least 2 of 3 captured hostages while the terrorist team keeps them from accomplishing their mission.

There are 12 online maps, and all are large and suit the game very well. All the weapons are very realistic for a console game, and the online play is intoxicatingly addicting. Add the headset with realtime voice chat in which you can actually communicate via voice with your teammates and the game goes up another notch.

SOCOM does have a few bugs in it's online play, namely a player list which shows who's on each server, but not where you are playing. Hard to find your friends this way. Another is some glitches where a person can hide and not be killed in a few of the onlin maps. Other than that, the play is great, with lag only rearing it's head once in awhile.

Those without online capabilities still have 12 missions to go through and will still have a lot of fun playing the game. I never thought this game would be so great, but it is well worth it.


excellent shooter... intense visuals...   September 1, 2002
Chris Letempt (Marietta, GA United States)
21 out of 22 found this review helpful

This game is a lot of fun to play. The interface is relatively easy to learn and works smoothly during play. I love being able to communicate with the rest of my team. Weapons are good but might have had more variety.

The animations between game chapters are awesome. I feel like just watching a couple of discs of those! The graphics during game play are some of the most realistic and fluid I have ever seen.

Using the headset also adds to the game. Hearing your team relaying info in your ear while events are happening through the tv's sound is pretty cool. It definitely adds to the realism {bad guys speak in their authentic language!} and intensity. The sound effects are very effective as they rely on distance and direction for level and intensity.

I bought the network adapter for my ps2 and logged in. I still haven't been able to play online due to some server problems they are having, but I am hoping they will get it fixed soon.

All in all, this is a first rate game. Very timely in its content, and excellent in its presentation. This sets the standard for others to follow with a shooter.


<--- here - The Real SOCOM Review   November 21, 2002
36 out of 42 found this review helpful

Let me preface my 5-Star review of this game with this, I've only completed the 1st level in the single player mode.

Why you may ask? Because I spend 100% of my time playing the real SOCOM game. The online version! SOCOM online is by far the most exciting, online console game ever created! Now, online console gaming is in it's infancy, but SOCOM will be the Tomb Raider of shoot `em up, strategy, team based games,

If you've read the thread, you know you must have a broadband connection in order to play the online version. If you past that test and get a network adapter, get ready to rock & roll.

The online world is this...you are one person among 1,000s.... You have the opportunity to play games in a geographic section of the world. For instance, if you live on the EAST coast USA, you can sign-on to the EAST server and play there...with 100s of people (hypothetically) from the east.

There are 10 online maps (FROSTFIRE, DEATHTRAP, NIGHT STALKER, BLOOD LAKE, RAT'S NEST, DESERT GLORY, ABANDON, THE RUINS, BLIZZARD, BITTER JUNGLE) with each having a particular genre (either suppression-destroy the other team, demolition-blow up other teams base or hostage extraction). At max, 16 people can play at one time, 8 on each team...

The maps are extraordinary detailed from rain falling, water, trees and grass...to wonderful sunsets. Weapon selection is adequate from machine guns, silenced assault rifles to sniper rifles. You have 3 equipment slots which can be filled with grenades (HE, frag or smoke), claymores, 2x ammo.

There are some online problems though. Servers can get bogged down and then the game lags (stops game play, bullets don't kill, people run in place), online cheaters - exploiting glitches in the game, annoying people, etc.

Overall, the online clan system is the key to the full SOCOM gaming experience. You have the opportunity to align yourself with other people, with similar interests. I'm in a 30+ clan. Guys over 30, with real life responsibility. But playing with a clan helps you with the teamwork needed to succeed at this game.

Overall, awesome game for the mature audience; graphics are violent. I've spent money hours playing...and many more to come.


Beware Terrorist Scum   December 9, 2002
13 out of 13 found this review helpful

This game is by far the best game out there right now. I've played pretty much every game of this genre on any system(Metal Gears, Medal of Honor, Spec Ops, etc, etc.) and not one of them has come close to the realism of this game. In this game you have to THINK! you need to use patience. And just like the real world, if you get shot even once, you are dead!

You are a commander of an elite specialized navy team (in the offline version, it's prechosen, in the online game you are part of a group of up to eight other players.). You are sent into missions to stop terrorists. You call out your orders into a included USB headset. In the online game, you can actually talk to your other teammates! Not chat with them by talking, but actually talk while you are doing the mission! How cool is that!

The control is complicated at first (it took me about twenty minutes to get the hang of it) but it soon became one of the most intuitive controls I've ever used.

I heard they have online tournaments with hundreds of people. I want to get in on one of those!

Highly reccomended. It's well worth the price for sure.