User Review : SOCOM: Confrontation

Can Socom live up to its name?

Obviously if you're reading this review you have some interest in the Socom name and the games. This is being Slant 6's first attempt at a console game, my expectations were low. Then following the beginning of the beta, I was very displeased, and my expectations lowered more. But Slant 6 turned things around by the end of the beta. Which leads us to ask, "How did the final version come out?"

Well as soon as you put the disc in you have to do the game installer which, is 2.7 gigs. This can take some time, but during gameplay it's well worth it, seeing as how load times are shorter. After the game installer, you have short update. This seems to be the fixes identified from the beta. After which you load the game and come across the last problem that really seems like a hindrance. You will get a data corrupt message, which you can press cancel and ignore, or delete your save data and create new data. You do not need to delete the game data, just the save data. After that's said and done, it's smooth sailing.

GAMEPLAY- So for all the Call of Duty and Halo freaks out there, if you are going to get Socom learn to SLOW DOWN!! This is a very team work oriented tactical shooter. You rush in there and you are going to be over run with enemies. The maps are great, they are very balanced. I have yet to find an area where I felt mercs or commandos had any advantage. The over the shoulder view is a change, but if you want, they have a classic view. Since the over the shoulder was default, I got used to that and have become accustomed to it. There are no real differences with the views aside from over the shoulder you can switch shoulders, whereas the classic view is set alittle farther back. The weapons sound and fire as you would assume the would. Having shot a few weapons found in the game, I was surprised with how much work went in to this so that they are dead on. Some maps are alot more complex than others and the classics hold true to there predecessors (i.e. Desert Glory, Crossroads). Most of the gameplay is still there, but there will be certain things that were changed. One huge change, in my opinion, is the addition of proximity chat. By far my favorite feature. The chat system in Socom: Confrontation isn't open. You have to press and hold L2 to initiate chat. Well when you don't hold that what's said into the mic is still transmitted in to the game, in the vicinity of your location. The louder you are the farther away it can be heard, as why its call proximity chat. This is great for several reasons. First, it tells you exactly where the idiot on the other team that is blasting his music is. Music is the easiest thing to hear, so the location of said enemy is instantly compromised and you've got yourself an easier kill. Another nice thing is since this is a team base game, you tend to travel with teammates, as opposed to wandering alone, so if you hear music boy, usually there's another one around, so 2 kills for one stupid mistake. And the last reason I love proxy chat is if you kill some one, you get the chance to taunt them and say your last words to them as your run over their corpse. Many reasons one great feature is awesome. Grenades use the same system as Uncharted with the use of the six axis, and leaning is done this same way. When they work right they are fantastic, when they don't you die early. That's the basic gist of the game play, very well done, very engaging.

Graphics- Ok so here is where we might lose some points. It's not your MGS4 or COD4. Textures tend to not be so engaging and sometimes just plain awful. Most of the scenery is appealing, but when you take the time to look you can see they didn't take the time to make it great. But I don't think this was their main concern. The game itself is so engaging that you don't time to inspect every rock and wall. You are usually involved in getting the hostages or eliminating the enemy. So while graphically it's not Picasso, but it's good enough to hold your attention to the gameplay.

Sound- There is a great video in the game that goes over the weapon sounds and how they got them and it reflects in the game play. Each weapon has its own unique sound. Not a modulated variance of a different weapon, but its very own. The music is great when it plays, it makes you feel that you are on the team you're on. Overall sound is excellent, probably the best weapon sounds you've heard yet.

Network- So as an online only game it depends on the network issues. Throughout the beta, Slant 6 was working hard to resolve the minor bugs and issues, but its obvious that they couldn't get them all. At times you will suffer from stuttering framerates, due to laggy players. These same events will cause mild freezes, which come from the lag. Also at times the game will freeze resulting in a hard reset. Usually when it happens it's at the end of a round, when you are chatting on the mic, but I have had it happen if talking on a mic and a big explosion occurs near also. Other than that the game runs great and smooth. The lag issues are minimal. Of the 75+ rounds I've played, only 3-4 have gotten laggy. In that same period I have had 3 freezes.

Overall- Overall Slant 6 should be proud of their first console game. It will stick around for a while and become a cult game like its predecessors. Socom isn't for every one (It may not be suitable for those who have high blood pressure, maybe pregnant, or are currently on a diet, may cause anger, erectile dysfunction, hunger, rage, uncontrolled blackouts, and premature ejaculation, if you suffer from any of them symptoms, stop playing and see your doctor.) Socom is an acquired taste, and given the time a taste you will love. There is nothing revolutionary about Socom, but it does hold true to the namesake, and in all reality, that's what the fans want. So if you a Socom fan, a shooter fan, or someone that just wants to try something challenging, pick up Socom.

Bonus- Headset Review- So in the bundle you get the Official PS3 bluetooth headset. Just by holding it you can tell its more durable than most bluetooth headsets. The charging dock makes for a nice addition, which also allows you to chat while you are charging. As for sound quality, this thing is top notch, bar none the best sound I've heard from a bluetooth headset. As for comfort, the most uncomfortable headset I've tried on. The earbud is too big to comfortably sit in my ear, with either of the rubber pieces that are included. Also the plastic piece to hold it on your ear is hard to shape. I've spent more than 45 minutes trying to mold it to a comfortable level and still can't get it. Ill let you know how that works out. So for the value the bundle is great, I'll continue to use the headset, and soon or later I'll figure out a happy median.