Review of SOCOM FIRETEAM BRAVO for PSP

[martok2112]

VIDEOGAME: SOCOM FIRETEAM BRAVO
DEVELOPER: ZIPPER INTERACTIVE
PUBLISHER: SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT AMERICA
SYSTEMS: PSP ONLY
RATING: M (MATURE for Violence)

Graphics: 4/5
Sound: 5/5
Control: 4.5/5
Story: 5/5
Endorphin Factor: 4/5
Frustration Factor: 4/5

Scoring system:
Average: 4.5/5

GAMES IT COULD BE COMPARED TO: SOCOM Series on PS2, STAR WARS BATTLEFRONT II

DETAILS: The SOCOM US NAVY SEALS series on PS2 is probably the ultimate military combat game for that system, and has one of the best multiplayer experiences ever. When I'd heard back before the PSP was supposed to be released that SOCOM was now going to come to a portable, I was intrigued. I thought, if they can take the complexity of the SOCOM series, and manage to format it so that it fit in this powerful little handheld entertainment system, I will be thoroughly impressed.

As it turns out, Zipper Interactive, creators of the three console based SOCOM games have succeeded wonderfully. Graphically and audibly, this game is EVERY BIT as good as its console based brethren. Even the particle effects like smoke and blood spray are magnificently done. Weapons fire is convincing, especially with earphones on.

I really have to give Zipper props on the control scheme. They have succeeded in taking most of the functions of the PS2 versions of the game, and squeezed them down from a dual shock controller which has two analog sticks, a D-pad, and 12 buttons to the PSP's humble single analog stick, d-pad, and 8 button configuration. About the only function I've seen missing thus far is "jump".

When moving, your character looks along a single plane...but if you wish to freelook, you can tap right on the d-pad, and your character now freelooks about the environment. If you wish to move in freelook mode, you need simply hold down the L shoulder button, and the character will move with the analog stick, and continue to look in the last place you aimed. There is also a nice "target lock" feature with the R shoulder button. When hostiles are visible (and in range) holding this button down will allow you to lock onto a target. Many of the buttons in this game serve a dual purpose. Tapping a certain button might do one action, while holding it down may do another.

Sniping is a snap. If an enemy is close enough, lock onto him with R, and then zoom in with up on the D-pad, and go for a headshot. Actually, if the enemy is close enough, the lock on is almost always a headshot by default. Changing stances with the Triangle button increases your stability when firing if you go to a prone position.

There are context sensitive actions you can have your onscreen teammate perform when you reach certain objectives. You can have him clear a building, place a charge, kill a specific target, and other things whenever the context action caption pops up.

I do have to say...right now, I am playing the game in Ensign (easy) mode (higher difficulties are Commander, and Admiral), and most of the enemies in this difficulty mode are aparently as (to quote Peter Preston in the Wrath of Khan) "blind as a Tiberian Bat", and about as deaf as a dead man...which is what the target will become if you sneak up on him for a CQB (Close Quarters Battle) kill, which is accomplished by knife (if you come up from behind), or rifle butt if he catches you approaching from the side.

The story is the same, real-world oriented stuff we've seen in previous SOCOMs. And the cutscenes are excellent...done with the same meticulousness as SOCOM 3, right down to foreign languages.

This game also features Ad-hoc (LAN) for 1-10 players via Wi-Fi and Infrastructure (Online) multiplayer modes for 1-16 players. There is an optional headset that you can buy so you can voice chat with your teammates during battle (and apparently on three different channels.) I have yet to try multiplayer in any form on this, but so far, it looks like multiplayer will be a blast. Unlike the console versions, where you can use your headset to command your other teammates in single-player mode as well as use it for multiplayer chat, this game uses the headset ONLY in multiplayer.

Also another function that is apparently used with certain missions is a "crosstalk" function, which works with SOCOM 3 US NAVY SEALS. By connecting this game to a PS2 via USB 5 pin to USB A cable, the data that is stored on both games actually affects certain aspects of the other game. You might do something in SOCOM FTB that will affect how a mission is played out on SOCOM 3, and vice versa. Or you might unlock weapons, maps, characters, or other goodies in either game.
Very nice.

BOTTOM LINE: Zipper Interactive seems to have another big (little) hit on their hands with this latest offering that holds up to its console brethren without breaking a sweat, and more than that, this game really shows the versatility (and future applications) of just what the PSP will be capable of. Way to go, Zipper!

Respectfully,
Martok2112