SOCOM: Tactical Strike (PSP)

This is not the SOCOM you're looking for; it's better.
1/31/2008 12:00 AM | 0 Comments | Page 2 of 2

Between missions, there's plenty to do in terms of configuring your team's loadout, doling out experience points among different skills, and even unlocking weapons. Unfortunately, a lot of the detail in these parts of the game feels beside the point. It's hard to see how the various guns make any difference, much less the amount of skill points a character has for marksmanship or a given type of weapon. There's very little feedback about how much damage you're doing, or how accurate your soldiers are, or how stealthy they're being. In fact, it's entirely possible the skills in the game do absolutely nothing and are simply there for a kind of placebo effect.

There is a good variety in the locations as the storyline progresses. The graphics and animation do a great job, and the weapons even have a nice hearty sound. The multiplayer is particularly good because it plays exactly like the single-player. Each player controls a group of four guys. There are a variety of mission types, from VIP escorts to deathmatches to assault/defend scenarios. The online lobbies have a steady population of players, and it's easy to get into a game using the PSP's infrastructure mode. On one hand, it's got all the conventions of a typical shooter's multiplayer support. But on the other hand, it doesn't play like a shooter, relying more on strategy than reflexes. For multiplayer gaming, Tactical Strike is unique and gratifying.

Ultimately, though, whether you like it is going to be a matter of taste. For some people, this might feel like watching while the characters play the game. But if you can adjust to a shooter that doesn't play like a shooter, or if you don't mind a real-time tactical game in which the action is mostly out of your control, or if you can get into a stealth game with heavy firepower, then there's nothing quite like Tactical Strike. Score another unique success for Sony's PSP.

This review was based on a retail copy of the game provided by the publisher.