Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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26 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Strategy, vehicles, huge maps!, November 1, 2005
Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars
How is Socom 3 this good? What has it done better than Socom 2 to still earn such a high score? I'm only going to discuss the ONLINE portion, aside from saying that I did play the first couple of single-player missions. I found that quite fun. Hadn't done that with Socom 2. Nope, went straight online with that one. Funny, never even read the Socom 2 instruction book. Ok. Back to Socom 3 Online!!
It's really the maps and vehicles that make Socom 3 a five star game. People complain about graphics, but I disagree with that. More on that later.
The maps are huge. 32 player huge. These are beautiful maps and well crafted with tons of nooks and hiding spots. I don't find myself looking for anything less than 20 people. This right here is an achievement. No other console game has it ( i don't think). And it runs so smooth. I'm sure that many haters are in disbelief and/or don't want to believe how good this works... and on the ol' reliable PS2!! Some arguers may say that 32 players loses the intimacy the 16 player games of Socom 2 had. Socom 2 is a much different game when you talk about online play. Smaller maps, no vehicles. Anyway, larger maps (with multiple spawn points) support teamwork and planning strategy for attack with teammates. When you're alone in these large environments, separated from your team, hold that M16 tight to appease pangs of solitude and fear. They will creep your skin.
So let's talk about the vehicles. They're a lot of fun, a great added addition if you want vehicular assault or if you need a quick lift to your favorite sniping point. But there's another important thing vehicles have done for Socom 3 versus Socom 2. They've made it fair for people to carry RPGs or M203s without the other team crying "cheap". Hey, if you try and run me over, what's unfair about me shooting your tank rocket launcher? The playing field is evened in that respect. Having some Halo experience has helped me avoid getting run over multiple times.
Last, I'll talk about the graphics. They're fine. People feel the need to complain about something. Let's face it. Graphics have come a haul's ass further from what they were ten years ago. Pretty much all games have damn good/realistic graphics nowadays. Do some games have better graphics than Socom 3? Sure. Somewhat better. But that begs this question. Do any other console games have 32 player online?
Why rush out to buy a next-gen system when we have this?
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just as good as SOCOM 2..., October 17, 2005
Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars
Okay, I will write my review for the single player portion of the game as I have not played the online portion yet. I have focused on the single player portion only. I enjoy online for the most part but there are too many idiots out there who ruin it by talking smack and cussing like they think it is cool, most of them are kids. Anyways, onto the review.
In the single player portion, you will play in three different locales. Each locale will offer multiple levels up to around 6 or 7, based on how soon you achieve your bonus objectives. If someone escapes who you could have caught as a bonus, then you continue to another level to try to apprehend that suspect again. The missions are nicely laid out and varied this time around. There are vehicles that have been introduced as well that you can drive such as the standard combat boats, buggys, 5 tons and a few others. Weapon lay out is nicely added with multiple weapon combinations that you can use. SOCOM has always been the leader in the realistic approach of special warfare. The bullet impacts in the game are extremely realistic, whether that is hitting the body of the enemy or shooting thru different materials such as glass or crates. The bodies will react to each and every single shot as in real life with the force of impact driving the body in the game. Nice touch to me for realism.
I have to say though that after SOCOM 1 and SOCOM 2, there was a short time frame between those games, only a year, and there was a 2 year hiatus between SOCOM 2 and SOCOM 3 that I would have expected a better gain in graphic performance. While it still looks good, I wished it would have looked slightly better in overall terms. Zipper has gone through a lot of work to get the little details included in the game such as the different sounds of the weapons and the sounds of the different materials they are shot through. This game would have rocked in my opinion even more if they had included the methods of insertion such as scuba diving or sky diving. Would have brought the immersion factor up even more.
The Sony PSP will be gaining the SOCOM Fireteam Bravo for it and from what I have read the two games are supposed to be interoperable by connecting the two console units to one another, but I am not positive on this so it will be interesting to see what comes of that.
All in all SOCOM 3 is a great game and definitely keeps the lead for the best shooter on PS2, and in my opinion one of the best shooters over Xbox as well. The realism is there, the immersion factor is there and the attention to detail is there. At the very least give this game a chance with a game rental. You will most likely be headed for the store when the time comes to return the game and pick up your very own copy. Enjoy.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Intelligent warfare, November 2, 2005
Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars
This game has better intelligence, in terms of A.I. but also in equipment, options, and gameplay. The enemy is smarter, they try to surround you, they find cover, and they surrender when outnumbered. Try not to be too trigger happy, or you can kill some enemies already giving up.
The weapons recoil depending on the size, and the environment and vehicles react very realistically. Just to note: The laser designator only works from a relatively short distance, but if you are out of range, you just dont know until you realize notting happens. If you aim a tank but the sight wont go from white to red, you are out of range. Dont get too close tho, or the blast of the missile will reach you.
The checkpoints are a relief, since missions take longer now to resolve. The stealth kills are now easier to perform, since the activation of the action is now smarter.
I am a bit reluctant to say this, but I must: This is the best game I ever played.
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