SOCOM U.S. Navy Seals: Combined Assault for PlayStation 2

The latest installment of the popular Ps2 shooter SOCOM, does not disappoint with its showing, as none of the games in the series have.

GAMEPLAY
The game play and controls remain largely the same, which is one of the game's strong points. Missions are varied wonderfully, though you still will get yourself killed if you decided to be random if the situation doesn't force itself upon you. Capturing enemy VIPs, demolishing structures, the game proves to be just as action packed and addicting as its predecessors. The main addition to this game above the others is the availability of co-op online play, which takes you through the games single player missions. The addition of a med kit to heal yourself in the middle of a mission will be met with dismay to most hardcore SOCOM veterans and cheered by the rookies. A few things remain, such as the numbskulls you'll have on your SEAL team not moving when or how you want them to, but this is nothing that can't be overcome.

MISC
Combined Assault is a great game that will not feel like a new game to SOCOM players. For those who already own SOCOM 3 and have no real interest in going online to play co-op mode, there is absolutely no reason to play this title. However, for those who bypassed picking up SOCOM 3, there is a classic online mode which will grant you access to all of the previous game's maps along with its players, which could end up making you fodder to more experienced players. The online learning curve has never been higher with the larger maps making any straggler instant sniper bait and the fierce fire fights that spark at the drop of a dime being reduced to strafe wars with head shot pros.

OVERALL
New weapons, new maps, new modes, new fun. A must have? Definitely not, but it's well worth the pick up if you've grown tired of the online mode and you're interested in a deep single player campaign. Same great game play that will provide many new fresh faces to the community--good or bad.