• Publisher: SCEA
  • Release Date: Aug 27, 2002
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 97 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 73 out of 97
  2. Negative: 13 out of 97
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  1. May 2, 2011
    10
    Without a shred of doubt, the greatest game I have ever played. There's never been anything that can compare. I'll never forget how much fun I've had with this game, just as much as I'll never forget how much it socially crippled me. This game became a drug. Therein, deemed as Socrack.
  2. AlexJ.
    Oct 17, 2004
    10
    It's the best thing i rate it 10 itst the best weapons levels graphics and its just the best!!!!!!!!!.
  3. May 6, 2018
    10
    The whole reason I got in to gaming, THIS GAME! Socom is simply the best game of all time. Campaign gave you reasons to play it, to unlock things for multiplayer. Multiplayer was amazing for their maps and having to be tactical. No of this run and gun bull crap you see now a days. You actually had to work as a team to draft the other team. After each round, you switched sides and eachThe whole reason I got in to gaming, THIS GAME! Socom is simply the best game of all time. Campaign gave you reasons to play it, to unlock things for multiplayer. Multiplayer was amazing for their maps and having to be tactical. No of this run and gun bull crap you see now a days. You actually had to work as a team to draft the other team. After each round, you switched sides and each side had their own unique set of guns and character skins. Desert glory, frost fire ruins... iconic iconic iconic maps. If this game were remastered for PS4, I'd never play another game after. Simply the greatest of all time. Expand
  4. Apr 18, 2013
    10
    Excuse me Are you serious?! People here need to give inteligable, honest reviews and if they dont like the game, tell specifically why! Im speaking of course to the user who put nothing but IT SUCKS on the review. GROW UP!
  5. MetalInc.
    Oct 18, 2002
    2
    Sucks. Sucks sucks. Sure the graphics are nice, the gameplay is ok...but all of this is shunned due to horrible AI. You can walk up behing two guys.....shoot one in the head, and his partner won't even turn around. HORRIBLE AI. I think the only reason to play this game is the online options...other wise you might as well go buy a copy of bubble bobble for NES.
  6. JhonS.
    Jun 3, 2003
    1
    This game is a loss and nearly worthy of a 1 its lacks soooo much and has almost no originality for example, In the interest of spicing up the first-person shooter landscape for the PlayStation2, Sony releases "SOCOM: US Navy (fair enough) in hopes to get the support of Sony's growing online community, it was meant to thrill as both a one-player experience and an online shoot This game is a loss and nearly worthy of a 1 its lacks soooo much and has almost no originality for example, In the interest of spicing up the first-person shooter landscape for the PlayStation2, Sony releases "SOCOM: US Navy (fair enough) in hopes to get the support of Sony's growing online community, it was meant to thrill as both a one-player experience and an online shoot 'em up but sadly it failed, "SOCOM" adds a few tiny enhancements to the genre. But where "SOCOM"(and to be fair) manages to get a few things right, it also manages to fall on its face many times. Navy SEALS are arguably among the best and most versatile combat soldiers this country has. As such their exploits make for exciting videogame.. Or so you would think. "SOCOM" attempts to capture the real-world stress and consequences that might trouble the SEALS during any given workday and again does it to well. The villains in "SOCOM" are terrorist factions operating here in the United States and abroad. Their villainous antics bring players to locations ranging from the jungles of Thailand to the frozen north of Alaska, with several stops in between but the IA intelligence makes them more like girl scouts than terrorist factions. You play as the field commander for an elite group of three other Seal?s. Your task is to undo or prevent terrorist mayhem. Helping you along is the latest in Special Operations Command, a k a SOCOM. You're wired to teammates and central command via headsets and can adjust strategies in the field to accommodate new intelligence. You can give direct orders to other Seal?s and they can respond. Sony sets a precedent by including a headset to communicate in game, a feature that does well to add to the overall experience of any game. Stealth first, ferocity second Missions in "SOCOM" require pre-launch preparation. Before going into the various threatening environments, players must review available Intel and update the team's assorted weaponry and gear. Once on location, how boring Players can pick up and drop gear as necessary, as well as lug the occasional corpse into the shadows. Intelligence on location is limited to a map interface and the comments garnered through the SOCOM. For example, the map will show the locations of suspected sentries, waypoints, buildings, or bombs. But it's the communications through your SOCOM that reveal mission-critical updates from HQ or status reports from your teammates. So when creeping along to diffuse a bomb, for example, teammates in the rear may ask the player to identify possible snipers. Identifying snipers results in new orders from HQ to eliminate the threat. Once that side mission is accomplished, it's back to the shadows and continuing the original task. "SOCOM" allows a player to order troops. Teams are made up of two factions and can work together on anything from breaching and clearing a building to setting up an ambush. Teammates can also be split into groups where one-soldier covers your flank as the others waits at the helicopter landing zone protecting an extracted informant. The possibilities seem endless, almost. Artificial stupidity The attention to detail in the CPU troops' artificial intelligence and the incorporation of SOCOM Intel is ambitious, however this is also the game's biggest downfall. Players will often find their team behaving somewhat silly. It's frustrating to have cleared a building of enemies before moving on to a primary objective, only to have to return and clear the now-empty building again because SOCOM HQ didn't register your improvisational attack. And your cup team, for example, frequently blows your cover at inopportune moments. This may be frustrating for players who try for a perfect rating during end-of-level debriefings. The AI constraints also means more than a few midlevel resets while you try and grind through objectives without straying much from the suggested path. Ho hum. Saving grace? Luckily, "SOCOM" encourages multiplier games online. Once logged onto SOCOM Online, players will then have an opportunity to join up as either Terrorists or Seal?s for an all-out deathmatch, Extraction game (liberate hostages), or a Demolition match (plant a bomb in enemy camp). The included headset allows players to talk radio-style to teammates in the field, and you can converse with the dearly departed once they've been defeated in combat. Being able to communicate with team members during online action brings some much-needed depth to the multiplier component. Hopefully other titles take note and embrace the technology. Something about saying "enemy sighted" to the solider covering your rear just feels right. Unfortunately with the new freedom of speech aspect comes the occasional freedom to annoy everybody with juvenile shenanigans. But you can always ignore the headset or join another game. In all "SOCOM" is defiant no-buy. The addition of the headset to a first-person shooter helps promote what is coolest about the Internet -- the ability to communicate and participate with people from all over. And that's the only appeal. The frustration factor runs needlessly high in "SOCOM" due to very, very VERY boring gameplay..... Online better but still boring and if you want to play waiting is your only option and if your connection isn?t broadband forget it you can still play but your just someone else?s slow moving slow shooting, easy, lagging target. Expand
  7. JonG.
    Oct 13, 2005
    1
    I can't believe they took away sur shot setting. Trying to learn new controls after a year of using socom 2 isn't fair. If they don't patch that up I'm returning the game. What was the reasoning behind leaving it out.
  8. TimS.
    Mar 25, 2003
    1
    This game sucks! when you go online the other players are like drunk ducks trying to ice skate!!!i would rather play with me sisters dolls!!!!!!
  9. Jun 8, 2011
    4
    This might have been fun when it came out do to the multiplayer, but now days it sucks, the campaign's story sucked, that is if it even had a story I honestly can't remember if it had one, it had the ability to be a great 3rd person run and gun shooter, but instead they made it a crappy stealth game where the A.I. is either completely oblivious to the fact that your there, or areThis might have been fun when it came out do to the multiplayer, but now days it sucks, the campaign's story sucked, that is if it even had a story I honestly can't remember if it had one, it had the ability to be a great 3rd person run and gun shooter, but instead they made it a crappy stealth game where the A.I. is either completely oblivious to the fact that your there, or are instantly alerted the second when you make a move, the multiplayer was fun, but it's dead now, I honestly can't recommend this game to anyone at all, skip at all costs. Expand
  10. AdamY.
    Apr 30, 2003
    10
    My wife says she is a Socom Widow now, this is the only game I play and I am totally addicted to the online action. PS2 doesn't get any better than this! Without a doubt the most awesome shooting game on the market.
  11. AnonymousMC
    Feb 19, 2004
    10
    This game is the best shooting game that you can get. Little lone amazing online. To say this game is bad, you are crazy, and must play like Poke'mon all day. If you would rather throw a Poke'ball than take your terrorist anger out, than you are crazy. It may lag watching your teammaters, but does it lag when you are playing? Didn't think so. This is the best. If you agreeThis game is the best shooting game that you can get. Little lone amazing online. To say this game is bad, you are crazy, and must play like Poke'mon all day. If you would rather throw a Poke'ball than take your terrorist anger out, than you are crazy. It may lag watching your teammaters, but does it lag when you are playing? Didn't think so. This is the best. If you agree with me, than you are awesome, but if you dont, than play me and I'll own you. Incase anyone wants to know my SocomII online name, it is SealSnipa. I am ranked 20,000 (captain)(wings). So this game is the best. Sniping is realistic because it actually moves around which anyone would do. Also, the sound is unbelievably realistic. The best part is, shooting the terrorists heads and watching blood spill out like milk out of jugs(haha). Aso, a great glitch, dead man walking. If you don't know how to do it, you are a noob, and if someone ranked ensign is reading this, I don't know how one could be so horrible. Like I said, send me a friend invite, and I'll confirm it and I'll own you(except admirals). Again, this is the best game I could have ever bought for playstation 2, and for the online play. Let me say it one more time, this game is absolutely amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!(o)(o)TITS!!!! Expand
  12. DanS.
    Apr 4, 2004
    10
    Excellent.
  13. J.Palm
    Nov 9, 2002
    8
    I would recommend this game to mostly the people that have the network adepter for PS2.
  14. AnthonyD.
    Dec 10, 2002
    8
    Single Player is good, but the AI was a little shoddy. Graphics were very outdated. The teamwork was the best part.
  15. ChuckP.
    Aug 24, 2002
    9
    With online play it rocks.
  16. JakeD.
    Aug 27, 2002
    10
    I just got this game about 2 hours or so ago, and i have to say its amazing.... the online gaming portion of this game is amazing and for what i saw it looks like it can last a while.... Anyways im off to play again.
  17. AndrewE.
    Sep 2, 2002
    8
    I like this game but I can't get online because I don't have a broadband adapter. Thats why I'm giving it an 8.
  18. BrodieP.
    Sep 5, 2002
    8
    A lot of fun online.. once you get on and STAY on. The sometimes unstable network gets in the way of an overall very enjoyable gameing experience. I'll be spending many more hours crouched behind enemy lines with this one...controls are easy to use, graphics are above average, and the headset works like a charm.
  19. KenC.
    Mar 11, 2003
    10
    I am addicted to this game, I LOVE IT. i especilally love the online mode. AWESOME GAME, not a type of game fps people would love though. ( although i LOVE fps) go RF2!!
  20. KyleH.
    Apr 7, 2003
    10
    The best game i have ever played, great graphics, smooth sound and the headset adds a dimesion that no other ps2 game has been able to do. The best ps2 game on the market, bar none.
  21. LARSONATOR167167
    Jun 12, 2003
    10
    This game is the best, it should be the Metacritic Game Of The Year.
  22. ChachM.
    Apr 8, 2004
    8
    Musical Score: 8. Good music, but could use more variety. Playability: 8. Easy-to-master dualshock controls. Accuracy: ? I wouldn't know; I'm not a Navy SEAL. Interest factor: 7. After the second or third time running through a mission due to some stupid AI glitch can be pretty frustrating. Please note that "Jhon S." (yes, he spelled his own name wrong) blatantly plagiarized Musical Score: 8. Good music, but could use more variety. Playability: 8. Easy-to-master dualshock controls. Accuracy: ? I wouldn't know; I'm not a Navy SEAL. Interest factor: 7. After the second or third time running through a mission due to some stupid AI glitch can be pretty frustrating. Please note that "Jhon S." (yes, he spelled his own name wrong) blatantly plagiarized TechTV in his review, and it should be removed. Expand
  23. RIkardN.
    Oct 13, 2005
    9
    Its not fun to only play in singelplayer, but online is amazing!
  24. GamerX_3
    Nov 27, 2002
    10
    I havent really played this game but when i did i thought the graphics were kewl or awesome the battle would be this game and desert storm for the best war games.
  25. Aznsky
    Dec 19, 2002
    9
    OKAY 1. WHY THE F... WOULD U PLAY THIS GAME OR EVEN BUY THIS GAME IF YOUR NOT GOING TO PLAY ONLINE. if u play this game online you will love it. the online play is the best ever. there is yet a game that is online that is good as this game 2.YOU'RE IDIOTS FOR GRADING THIS GAME IF U DONT EVEN PLAY IT ONLINE.
  26. NickB.
    Dec 5, 2002
    10
    HOLY SH.T THIS GAME FRIGGIN KICKS MY LAME ASS!!!!
  27. NickR.
    Dec 8, 2002
    9
    This game is so awesome it has good grapics it has good game play and this game is so fun i just cant stop playing it.
  28. JakobB.
    Oct 4, 2002
    10
    It's the best game out there!!!!!!!!
  29. RyanB.
    Jan 14, 2003
    10
    This is a great game. I like how you can tell BRAVO what to do but I don't like the graphics they are very bad.
  30. B.Rock
    Dec 19, 2003
    10
    SOCOM can be frustrating. But that is the point. To me, and I don't know any better, but the fact that 'you die, you reset' is as close to real life as you can get. Isn't that the point? Any closer and the CD's would have to self-destruct anytime your character died. That is what leads to the stress level, because every corner, every view, every LOS is SOCOM can be frustrating. But that is the point. To me, and I don't know any better, but the fact that 'you die, you reset' is as close to real life as you can get. Isn't that the point? Any closer and the CD's would have to self-destruct anytime your character died. That is what leads to the stress level, because every corner, every view, every LOS is important...make the wrong move and BOOM, you are hitting start and waiting for the game to 'REPLAY MISSION'. Yes it is frustrating. Now how much respect do you have for our men and women in uniform? Point being, the game is great despite this. In fact, it enhances the game because completing a mission is that much sweeter. As I believe Deep Purple put it "Its not the kill, its the thrill of the chase." Expand

Awards & Rankings

38
7
#7 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2002
30
#30 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2002
Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 42 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 42
  2. Negative: 0 out of 42
  1. It’s easily said that SOCOM is the best console based tactical shooter ever, and it wins that throne quite handedly.
  2. netjak
    87
    After playing online, say goodbye to your social life, and also the 12 mission single-player attempt.
  3. PSM Magazine
    80
    One of the greatest features of this game, by far, the headset lets you tell your computer-controlled teammates exactly what to do...makes SOCOM such an innovative title. [Oct 2002, p.28]