SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs
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| SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALS | |
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| Developer(s) | Zipper Interactive |
| Publisher(s) | Sony Computer Entertainment |
| Release date(s) |   August 27, 2002 (Original and Deluxe Version); 2003 (Greatest Hits) June 11, 2003   July 24, 2003 Unknown |
| Genre(s) | Third-person shooter |
| Mode(s) | Single player, multiplayer |
| Rating(s) | CERO: 18+ ESRB: M (Mature) PEGI: 16+ |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 2 |
| System requirements | PlayStation 2, USB Headset for VOIP chat, PS2 Network Adapter for online play. |
| Input | PlayStation 2 controller, PlayStation 2 Headset, USB Keyboard. |
SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALS is a video game classified as a tactical third-person shooter developed by Zipper Interactive and published by Sony Computer Entertainment, it is an exclusive title for the PlayStation 2. SOCOM was released on August 27, 2002, and is one of the earliest online titles available for the PS2's online adapter. In addition to the 12 offline single player missions, SOCOM also features online play via the internet at no additional charge to the customer. SOCOM additionally uses a USB headset for its speech recoginition commands offline, and allows voice chat with teammates when playing online, this was the first game for the PS2 to use the headset.
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[edit] Game Overview
SOCOM takes its name from the abbreviation for the U.S. Special Operations COMmand.
The player leads a four-man team (three AI-controlled teammates) of U.S. Navy SEALs through 12 missions in 4 regions Alaska, Thailand, Congo, and Turkmenistan. In the single player missions, voice commands can be administered to the three AI-controlled teammates using the WHO, WHAT, and WHERE format (example: Bravo, Attack, Nav Point Zulu). Commands can be spoken using the included USB headset or via an onscreen menu if the optional SOCOM headset was not purchased. Typical missions consist of; eradicating terrorists, rescuing hostages, retrieving intel, or destroying terrorist bases.
Before each mission the player chooses a primary and secondary weapon from an armory consisting of many real-world weapons including the M4A1 and AK-47 assault rifles, Uzi sub-machine gun as well as the M82 sniper rifle. A wide variety of handguns, grenades, and other explosive devices are also featured. Weapons are unique to each side, with the Seals choosing from weapons that usually have the advantage of being silenced (M4A1-SD) and generally more accurate. The Terrorist team is supplied with counterparts to the SEALs weapons (AKS-74), and even have a fully automatic handgun (Model 18).
[edit] Player Reaction
Although commanding squadmates via voice was a novel idea, the artificial intelligence for them was questionable at best, leading to mixed reviews by gamers. In the player community, for instance, the squad mate Boomer is known for moving without orders, making stealth difficult. Players are often forced to compensate for the erratic A.I. by playing "lone wolf." Another complaint is that squad members get stuck in walls, which is a problem that Zipper still has not solved in the sequels.
Online play was well received by many, and likely the primary reason for purchasing SOCOM. Unfortunately within months of the game's release, online play became plagued with cheating by players using cheat devices like the Gameshark or Codebreaker. To date cheating still remains a significant problem online, even the player ranking leaderboard is vandalized on a daily basis by cheaters exploiting a flaw that allows them to change the leaderboard without having to "earn" their way to the top.
[edit] Online Gameplay
When online players choose one of two sides, Seals or Terrorists. Maps consist of three types, suppression (eliminate all members of the opposite team), extraction (rescue hostages) and demolition (capture a Satchel and destroy the opposite team's base).
Two distinct versions of the SOCOM disc exist, the original disc, and the Greatest Hits disc. Until 2006, the two versions of the disc were not compatible with each other, and online play was divided into separate groups. The greatest hit disc was an attempt to stop online cheating, but since then a server update has merged the two discs into one server, online cheating has yet again gotten out of control. Although, cheating has proven to be fun for many people even though it is a headache for the majority of the players.
[edit] Trivia
- Kahuna seems to have retired by SOCOM II: U.S. Navy SEALs since he is no longer the main character in the series. Zipper has surprisingly not revealed what happened to him and he has not been seen or mentioned in the other Socom games. Specter surprisingly becomes the main character in the series and becomes the leader of the squad. Boomer is revealed in SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs: Combined Assault to have been transferred to another unit. SOCOM II: U.S. Navy SEALs reveals Boomer was wounded by friendly fire, presumably by Kahuna although he is not seen or mentioned in the game.
[edit] SOCOM Franchise
SOCOM II: U.S. Navy SEALs released 2003, included four additional operations and 10 multiplayer maps.
SOCOM 3: U.S. Navy SEALs released 2005, included solely original maps, updated SOCOM II maps were released in June 2006 for download and purchase[1]. Upcoming Socom II maps are currently a project Sony is working on.
SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs: Combined Assault released 2006, for the Sony Playstation 2.
