This article was originally published on Gaming Horizon, GameBump's predecessor. Certain formatting, imaged, and embedded content may have been lost in the transition process.

The folks over at Sony just released a slew of brand new screenshots showing the upcoming SOCOM title for the PSP.

This article was originally published on Gaming Horizon, GameBump's predecessor. Certain formatting, imaged, and embedded content may have been lost in the transition process.

Here's the SOCOM Confrontation trailer shown at the SCEA Gamer's Day event. For the game's official announcement details and first screenshots, click here. 

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This review was originally published on Gaming Horizon, GameBump's predecessor. Its format does not match our own but we support its content. It was written by Brian Mohr.

When it was originally release along with the network adapter on the PlayStation 2, SOCOM became the epitome of online multiplayer experiences for the console and featured a solid offline experience as well. Since that game, Sony and Zipper Interactive have released three games in the series including this year’s battle, SOCOM: U.S. Navy Seals Combined Assault. Whether good or bad, little has changed in the series from last year’s version, but if you like the previous titles this certainly will be right up your alley.

The best aspect of any SOCOM game is the online mode and Zipper doesn’t disappoint. This version adds a couple new options to the mix in the online four-player cooperative multiplayer mode and the backwards capability with SOCOM 3, as long as you don’t play on any of the new maps. Besides that, the game features plenty of regular features including ladders, rankings, community support, clans, and more. It does support chat through the USB headset and allows up to 32 people to play at once.

There are 10 new maps and most were designed to feature heavy action focused areas. They provide players both styles of play, whether that is battling it out guns blazing or sniping.

The single-player mode has seen some changes too. Most notably is the fact that you’ll be able to pick your missions after the first challenge. This results in the game not being a straight linear storyline. It does feature a nice variety of challenges including sniping, rescuing prisoners, and infiltrating various environments. Another addition to the series is the inclusion of achievements, including getting a certain number of headshots, capturing enemies, and more. Though I feel the single-player experience has been better in previous titles, this one is still quite solid.

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This article was originally published on Gaming Horizon, GameBump's predecessor. Certain formatting, imaged, and embedded content may have been lost in the transition process.

This preview was originally published on Gaming Horizon, GameBump's predecessor. Its format does not match our own but we support its content.

One of Sony Computer Entertainment America’s most popular franchises, SOCOM, is coming back and this time it is called, SOCOM: U.S. Navy Seals Combined Assault for the PlayStation 2. We had a chance to go hands-on with the game at this year's E3 2006 in Los Angeles. To get it out there, this SOCOM isn’t really different compared to past titles but instead Zipper Interactive has added a bunch of new maps and the spanking new Co-op mode to its title.

The demo we had a chance to play was pretty short and contained three missions on the tightrope map. The first mission was to blow up a shipment of SAM missiles; the second was to drop the bridge so enemy tanks wouldn’t come in; and lastly, the third was to secure an airfield so troops could enter the area. The missions were rather easy, to be honest, but I’m sure enemy AI will be introduced and/or upgraded at a later time. The co-op can be played in up to four players and all players must work together to get the job done.

Another addition was the option so that players could select an individual tactical mission area that was previously completed, and play it as a stand alone mission or an instant action mission in four-player co-op mode. A med kit is also going to be added that will allow the player to heal a friendly target or himself in the middle of a battle. The med kit must be equipped before the mission starts to utilize it.

One thing Sony and Zipper kept saying is that Combined Assault will be “backwards compatible” with SOCOM 3. How? Well, Combined Assault will include everything SOCOM 3 had, which includes maps, patches, updates, and many other necessary items. The maximum number of players on a given server for multiplayer is 2-32.

Sony plans to ship Combined Assault to stores this fall. Look for more on this title in the coming day’s right here at Gaming Horizon.

This article was originally published on Gaming Horizon, GameBump's predecessor. Certain formatting, imaged, and embedded content may have been lost in the transition process.

Sony has issued five first screenshots of SOCOM U.S. Navy Seals: Combined Assault for the PlayStation 2. Take a look below.

Sony has given up more details on their upcoming military shooter for the PSP, SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALS: Fireteam Bravo 2.

The game will feature a non-linear mission progression through 14 single-player missions across various areas of the world giving gamers the option to choose where they take on battle next. Missions can also be redone in different ways allowing gamers to go back and take on new objectives and enemies. Zipper has announced that the game will feature over 40 real world weapons and you'll be able to purchase new ones by earning command equity points. These are given to players for completing missions, reaching objectives and rescuing civilians. The points can also be used to purchase air strikes, supply drops along with improved local influence giving you the option to get information from locals and purchase black market weapons.

Meanwhile, the multiplayer game will feature 16-player ad hoc and infrastructure support. The multiplayer game will include three new modes of play including tug-of-war control points, capture the flag and target.

This review was originally published on Gaming Horizon, GameBump's predecessor. Its format does not match our own but we support its content.

If games define the system, then Halo made the Xbox, Final Fantasy VII made the original PlayStation, Nintendogs made the DS, and SOCOM made the PlayStation 2. It’s little wonder, then, that Zipper Interactive opted to create an entirely new SOCOM product for the PlayStation Portable, Sony’s premier handheld unit and the first portable system to challenge the GameBoy line-up in years. SOCOM: US Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo has all the goodies formerly exclusive to the PlayStation 2 versions, and it’s just as intense and addictive on the small screen as its big brothers are on the living room TV. If you own a PSP, happen to like shooters, or really enjoy any of the SOCOM games, this one’s for you. It’s possibly the best and most fun PSP game on the market.

Fireteam Bravo wastes no time explaining overlaying plot lines, introducing the team, or putting you through a boring tutorial level. Instead, the game immediately launches you into a selection screen where you can view all the modes offered at a glance, beginning with the campaign mode, which spans the globe and involves four distinct locales: Chile, Morocco, South Asia, and Poland. Unlike the regular SOCOM (PS2) games, Fireteam Bravo’s single-player experience has you controlling Sandman (Raymond Stokes), the head of a two-man SEALs team, while reducing the franchise’s four AI teammates down to one, the dreaded Lonestar (Tate Rawlins, and yes he’s a Texan). The campaign mode features 14 missions (about 3-4 per locale) and the typical primary objectives: apprehend bad guys, rescue hostages, blow stuff up, take photos with your convenient digital camera, and gather intel without the pesky terrorists knowing it.

Before deployment, you’re presented with a mission briefing, a short list of current objectives, some minor intel (usually accompanied by some satellite imagery), and an armory to adjust your team’s load-outs. The franchise’s usual weapons – the M4A1 for the SEALs, the AK-47 for the terrorists – are present and make gamers feel instantly at home, along with sniper rifles (SR-25, M87ELR), claymores, pressure mines (only available in multiplayer), sub-machine guns (9mm sub, HK5), and grenades. Zipper included the extra trinkets from SOCOM III, too, like the magnification scopes (both low and high power) and thermal view (night vision is automatically equipped during evening missions).

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