Socom -So far so good (Socom Confrontation (PS3))

Member Name: fazste

Product:	Socom Confrontation (PS3)
Date:	14/04/09 (77 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Excellent infantry based maps- great online play

Disadvantages: a few bugs still remain

Socom confrontation - OK confession time first! i bought this game along with the headset for a bargain price and it was mainly just for the headset. Being into my fps games and loving ghost recon, call of duty etc i thought I'd give this a bash. Despite all its little faults i think this is a cracking game. It received a very negative press upon release due to poor servers and in game bugs but the Dev's have been working hard and rectifying a lot of faults with more patches on the way. It seems to be a well supported game with a good community backing it up.

here's a quick cut n paste of its features:
* Online Multiplayer Only (PlayStation Network account required)
* Ultimate 32-player online combat experience featuring stunning high-definition visuals, advanced physics, ballistics, impact and destruction modeling
* Rich interactive and destructible environments supporting multiple game types
* Full support of the Sixaxis wireless controller, offering greater control
* Choice of playing as various International Special Forces
* Advanced voice communication systems and immersive audio
* Comprehensive player customisation including fully featured load out, encumbrance and unique uniforms
* Up to seven different game modes are available on each map
* Advanced player matching, players can form a team with their friends and easily join an online game
* Regional combat or challenge teams from around the world
* Additional themed downloadable content packs available post launch

Now onto my experiences with this game:
Upon inserting the disc into the ps3 there is 2 icons- one for the game and an install icon- don't click on the game one as it wont work! After installing the game i clicked on the game icon and waited for the it to load ( The instruction manual is quite minimal i must say!) Pressing start to get past the title screen you are greeted with the options screen where you can save or create profiles for your soldier, here you can modify the way he looks and change weapon loadouts- there's an excellent selection of weapons and accessories to choose from and you'll be spoilt for choice.
With my character created and the controller options sorted (there's a good variety of controller options too with everyone catered for) it was time to hit the battlefield.........

Selecting "briefing room" took me to the server channel selection screen where you can see all the UK,usa and other worldwide channels available- lots to choose from so stick to your locale for a smoother game. After selecting the channel i was greeted with all the servers within that channel, of which there can be 256 people playing per channel. The main servers are 16 v16, 8v8 and 4v4 medley but no respawns, however you will find people creating their own servers with infinite respawns- handy for beginners.
Joining a respawn server i jumped into a standard team deathmatch (or suppression as it's called)to have a look see- ITS GHOST RECON2! this is what i immediately thought and that's not a bad thing in my book. It has that over the shoulder perspective and moves like ghost recon only smoother. The controls took some getting used (aiming , zooming in with the d pad) but now it feels natural and moving around the environment has become easier.
The environments - While not being graphically "up there" with the best they are well realized and have that gritty war torn look with good use of environmental objects and scenery. The maps themselves are large enough to deter spawn campers but not so big as to get lost in- a good balance. The variety of maps is also very good ranging from an oil platform to a market town type map, all very well designed for infantry combat.
The sound on this game is excellent- Pumping through the surround system you can hear gunfire everywhere! it gives you a great sense of "being there" and really gets the heart pounding when you hear gunfire nearby and you're fast approaching it.
Using the headset with this is superb- It's a push to talk system so you don't get everyone shouting over each other, you even get that little "squawk" sound you hear in real life! again very well implemented.
Having played ghost recon etc for a good while i was able to hold my own on the battlefield, however i would hesitate to recommend this to a complete beginner as it can be tough and isn't in the same " run n gun" mold as the call of duty series! play like that and you will die lots! I have seen this very fact put a lot of people off but that's their loss! this is a more rewarding tactical game. All in all a great ingame experience.

Now there are a few bugs still remaining- i was kicked out of the game and sent back to the title screen, and sound has stopped working, it has also hard locked the ps3 twice, BUT! so has many other games and i can overlook these flaws and enjoy socom for what it is- An excellent tactical fps.

Summary: Fantastic online experience.