SOCOM 4 Review

A capable third person shooter that doesn't quite live up to potential, but may still surprise you

Posted by Alex V on May 17, 2011 - 12:20am EST

The standard modes included such as team deathmatch, control points, and capture the flag all function well enough, but without any deterrents, spawn camping is a big problem on all maps. Though there are multiple spawn points available, constant grenade spam and spawn killing remain an ugly reality. Up to 32 player support is nice - but it mostly just adds to the problem. It is only the Bomb squad mode – which requires players to protect a VIP while he attempts to disarm a bomb – that causes some fluctuation in the online mayhem. Needless to say, competitive multiplayer offers enough genre-standard features to hold up on its own, but it lacks enough unique factors to create a long lasting playerbase.

As the game is set in a tropical environment, the game’s graphics look bright and diverse, a nice change from the brown “gritty” setting of other titles. From the jungles to small villages, the game’s setting works well and looks good. There are some problems with the draw distance and complete lack of AA on some objects, but overall it’s a nice looking title. Characters aren’t perfectly animated, but the high resolution models and good voice acting make up for it. Explosions and gunfire also look underwhelming at times, but they’re not bad enough to detract from the overall experience.

When it comes down to it, SOCOM 4 has enough pull with both series fans and newcomers to warrant a closer look. The game’s single player campaign gets better as it goes along, and though not very memorable, provides an enjoyable narrative to follow. The batch of customizable coop missions is great, and though not as diverse as could have been, can provide many hours of tactical gameplay. Mulitplayer components offer enough features that work as intended, but in-game issues are currently at the forefront of the experience. Overall, SOCOM 4 is an enjoyable, if at times rough around the edges, third person shooter than may appeal more to action fans than hardcore tacticians.

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Our ratings for SOCOM 4 on PlayStation 3 out of 100 (Ratings FAQ)

Presentation

The jungle setting presents a unique environment for tactical combat. Though not always sharp, the visuals are lush with color and the game can be surprisingly atmospheric.

Gameplay

The shooting mechanics are solid, though pulling off headhsots feels too easy at times. AI often lacks tactical ability in combat - but when given direct and well-timed orders, the payoff is satisfying.

Single Player

Although the plot isn't very original, it is well paced and presented, presenting an enjoyable experience. The main story is about 6 hours long, with not much replay value apart from higher difficulty settings.

Multiplayer

The custom coop missions are a blast, though they aren't as diverse as could have been. Though it functions on a technical level, the competitive multiplayer is too far off base from the campaign, with the resulting mayhem simply not enjoyable at the moment.

Performance

The game runs without any technical problems - though a mission glitch was encountered that caused many frustrations and restarts from checkpoint.

Overall

More focused on cinematic action than tactics, SOCOM 4 attempts to advance the franchise in a new direction. The game mostly succeeds in the end, though losing some of its core values in the process.