Up Your Assault!
- November 01, 2006 00:00 AM PST
The PS2 has lots of juice left, and SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs: Combined Assault it out to prove just that!
The PlayStation 2 has seen a lot of the SOCOM series since it debuted in 2002, when the original was crowned the system's premier online shooter by an army of fans. Instead of resting on its laurels, developer Zipper Interactive cranked out two feature-packed sequels that both managed to keep the series fresh. They're at it again with SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs: Combined Assault, and it appears as if they're trying to create the most well rounded tactical shooter of all time.
More testing team combat
Commanding the Operation
SOCOM has always been known for its rock-solid multiplayer mode, but Combined Assault is attempting to up the ante with its single-player campaign as well. The game shrugs off SOCOM 3's linear level structure, giving players more of a choice in the order they'd like to tackle objectives. Rounding out the package is a four-player co-operative mode, which lets you and three friends search, sneak, and shoot your way through the game's18 missions as a single unit.
If you decide to go in solo, Combined Assault offers a new method for issuing orders to your squad: the Team Command Action system (TCA). Depending on the situation, the TCA highlights the most appropriate menu options, making it a breeze to bark orders at your team on the fly. Switching tactics in the heat of battle is now a snap, and cumbersome menus are a thing of the past.
Enemy A.I. has been significantly improved in Combined Assault, so relying on your team for survival is more important than ever. Opposing soldiers will switch tactics depending on the type of gun they're carrying, making combat a more varied experience. Enemies packing assault rifles will take cover and fire at you from a distance, whereas pistol-toting soldiers will move in at close range, finding cover wherever they can.
