SOCOM 3: U.S. Navy SEALs
- September 09, 2005 15:24 PM PST
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We head online with the beta version of Sony's upcoming tactical shooter and spend some time fighting it out in the trenches.
Although the first two SOCOM games offered a surprisingly good single player experience, most gamers immediately think "multiplayer" when SOCOM is mentioned, and with good reason. For the third installment Zipper has turned things up a notch, by doubling the player count and completely revamping the online interface.Hopping online is no longer a chore, as you can easily find everything from map data to clan recruitment in one area. It even supports a limited messaging system. Rounding out the feature list is connectivity with the PSP version.
Since SOCOM 3 now supports 32 players per scenario, the small maps of yore weren't going to cut it. The team created 12 new multiplayer levels and implemented streaming technology so the world could be loaded on-the-fly. Two new game modes have also been added: convoy and control point. Convoy focuses on vehicles, while control point has both teams racing to control key locations on the map.
Waterways now play a major role in combat, as your SEALs have finally learned to take advantage of their surroundings. You can outflank an opponent by swimming across a river, or duck underwater to avoid notice. Vehicles also play an important role, given the size of the new maps. Whether by land or by sea, you can quickly hop in or out of a vehicle with a single button press. Swapping position is just as easy, so if your driver ends up shot you can instantly exit the gunner's seat and take the wheel.
