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SOCOM

PLATFORM : PS3
DEVELOPER/PUBLISHER :
SLANT SIX/SONY
REVIEW BY : JOHNNYJOHNJOHN'S

I’ll start off this review by being completely honest with you my decision to pick up SOCOM: Confrontation was largely influenced by the inclusion of the Official Playstation Bluetooth headset, but I was also curious enough about previous SOCOM games to take a gamble on this title. So if you’re interested in picking up the game then continue on reading.

Confrontation is the first SOCOM game I’ve played, I’m sure fans of the series will know what to expect and they will not be disappointed. For a newcomer to the game there is a very steep learning curve and a major annoyance when setting up the game- namely a large mandatory install that takes long enough to make you wish you had stuck with Killzone 2 for your online thrills. Once the game is installed you are treated to one of the most enjoyable and well realized customization experiences that I’ve seen in any first person shooter. Every detail and nuance of how your character looks and behaves can be customized before you ever enter an online game.

Once you get into a game you will realize that this is tough, it’s no run and gun affair and really does require you to work as part of a team using the headset to communicate and take objectives. On my first game I went for a commando run through the middle of the map only to be shot before even spotting an enemy- probably funny to watch for a seasoned veteran not so much fun for me as in this particular game once you’re dead there was no re-spawn.

This game demands time and patience to progress, but if you’re willing to do the time it’s a worthwhile investment that most players will not regret. Confrontation offers a gritty and realistic game that has hours of replay value as the player tries to hone their skills and get the perfect customized character to suit their specific playing style.

Visually the game is a solid performer with what seems like a constantly high frame rate and graphics which are about average for this generation. My only real complaint about the visuals is that the colour pallet used seems quite bland and dull, perhaps for gameplay purposes, but I can’t help but wish for some of the more varied landscapes and variety of maps offered by games such as COD4 and Killzone 2.

Sound is a key part to the Confrontation and a headset is recommended to get the best out of this game. Knowing that you’ve set up a good ambush or that your team are advancing in a flanking position that you are a key part of is more gratifying than perhaps any other online experience.

The game requires an internet connection to even access the menus and has no single player mode to practice in; the inclusion of a training zone might have been beneficial to newcomers. The servers appear to be very stable and I’ve experienced no major lag to date.

The controls have the potential to alienate those who have never played previous SOCOM games more than any other factor. It would have been good to see the inclusion of a classic FPS controller set up that matched the likes of those used on COD, Resistance and others.

Conclusion

SOCOM: Confrontation isn’t a game for the faint-hearted; it is instead an intense tactical and social experience unlike any pick up and play game. In giving SOCOM: Confrontation the time and energy it deserves you will be rewarded with a unique and enjoyable experience that you will remember for a long time to come and you may even make a few new, like-minded friends to play the latest PS3 exclusives with.