SOCOM 4: U.S. Navy SEALs

 PlayStation 3
  • Publisher: SCEA
  • Release Date: Apr 19, 2011
Metascore
67

Mixed or average reviews - based on 64 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 64
  2. Mixed: 39 out of 64
  3. Negative: 2 out of 64
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  1. Game Chronicles
    May 31, 2011
    91
    I've played less than ten games on my PS3 and reviewed only three and I'm proud to count SOCOM 4 as one of those games. Playing this game solo brought back memories of Full Spectrum Warrior with all the squad-based tactics and ordering options, and playing co-op was like reliving all my best Tom Clancy moments, and the online versus modes had all the fun of MAG with the added bonus of the incredible Bomb Squad mode. And while it may never be able to compete with Call of Duty in sheer popularity, SOCOM 4: U.S. Navy SEALs definitely wins when it comes to reality.
  2. GamingXP
    Apr 14, 2011
    86
    Where would you be without your team mates? In SOCOM: Special Forces nowhere, because in the higher levels you wouldn't win a medal without carefully planning out your attacks. If you're into tactics, you want to have a look on this one.
  3. Console Monster
    May 31, 2011
    85
    With a gripping solo campaign, its depth of online modes and its passionate following of online players, SOCOM 4 has enough ingredients within its makeup to keep its disc firmly locked inside your PS3 console. Even if you are not a fan of the online element I recommend that you still check out its solo campaign. You might even be surprised that after you have beaten the single-player mode you might transfer over to its online side. At least that is what its developers hope you will do.
  5. PlayStation Universe
    Apr 12, 2011
    85
    If Zipper Interactive can iron out the various competitive multiplayer bugs, SOCOM 4 could rank among the best 2011 has to offer.
  6. ZTGD
    Apr 25, 2011
    84
    I had a blast playing with friends, yelling at them to take out enemies that had me pinned down. If the minor problems are fixed, the game will be that much more enjoyable. Unfortunately, with a slew of other titles in this genre, it's all too likely that SOCOM 4 will get lost in the crowd.
  7. Playstation Official Magazine Australia
    Oct 6, 2011
    80
    If you have all the accessories to play this game as it is meant to be digested (Move, Sharp Shooter, a decent online connection and four non-idiotic mates on standby for co-op) it's one heck of a good game. Lack even two of those prerequisites though and SOCOM: Special Forces will come across like a fairly standard operation that takes a bit too much liberty with the descriptor 'special'. [June 2011 p68]
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  8. Gameplanet
    May 23, 2011
    80
    SOCOM: Special Forces isn't an epic single-player game, but it's not trying to be. The plot is mostly predictable but better told than the same story in other shooters, and the glitches are surprisingly absent when you take the game online. It's very obviously oriented towards the multiplayer experience, so if that's what you're after, this is one of the most enjoyable and complete tactical combat experiences in the current console generation.
  9. Vandal
    May 21, 2011
    80
    It is far from the tactic and realism approach of previous games of the series, but it is accesible for more players, and has a robust online component.
  10. Impulsegamer
    May 9, 2011
    80
    It's a good game and the Socom franchise is built upon solid multiplayer.
  11. Games Master UK
    May 6, 2011
    80
    The best SOCOM in years. Doesn't do anything fresh, but it's handsome, polished and fun. [June 2011, p.78]
    All this publication's reviews
  12. Digital Chumps
    Apr 20, 2011
    80
    SOCOM 4: U.S. Navy SEALs still maintains its hard-nosed action reputation that it has always been known for. While it isn't a huge leap from its predecessors, it's still a fun leap in the right direction.
  13. NZGamer
    Apr 18, 2011
    80
    And though SOCOM: Special Forces is, at heart, a tactical shooter (and I suppose many will buy this game more for the multiplayer aspect than the campaign itself), I couldn't help thinking that if it had a bit more flexibility in terms of completing missions, there'd be a much greater replayability factor.
  14. PSFocus
    Apr 25, 2011
    79
    The comeback of Zipper Interactive with the SOCOM franchise is a pretty good one. This game does have a decent singleplayer, co-op feature and a good multiplayer. The game is for his largest part good, but it can't give the same feeling that SOCOM II did back in the old days. A good game, but it could have been better.
  15. GameTrailers
    Apr 12, 2011
    79
    The game makes several middling attempts to align itself more closely with other successful designs while keeping its identity mostly intact. Despite a few stumbles in engineering its single-player experience and some irregularities with its controls, this is still a unique and solid experience provided you plan to enlist in online multiplayer.
  16. Game Informer
    Apr 12, 2011
    78
    While SOCOM 4 is one of the few "hardcore" titles to implement Sony's PlayStation Move, I wasn't impressed when playing the game with motion controls. The Sharp Shooter peripheral is heavy and cumbersome to use, even if the trigger action is admittedly satisfying.
  17. 3DJuegos
    Apr 14, 2011
    76
    A good SOCOM game but it rewards teamwork and tactics less than previous iterations. Its abundant contents will keep fans interested for a long time.
  18. Game Revolution
    May 25, 2011
    75
    Taken as a whole, there's a lot of content in SOCOM 4.
  19. Da Gameboyz
    May 5, 2011
    75
    As a single player experience SOCOM 4 is a decent game. That being said, there is nothing really new here, but if you're craving a tactical shooter experience on the PS3, or are simply a fan of the series, I don't think you can go wrong.
  20. 1UP
    Apr 20, 2011
    75
    For the multiplayer shooter fan, especially for PlayStation 3 owners, there is one solid game to be found in SOCOM 4 and that's with the Competitive mode -- single-player is too generic and Cooperative mode can get old fairly quickly because of limited maps and objectives. It's accessible and easy to get into, but it may grow old far too quickly for most fans of this genre.
  21. TotalPlayStation
    Apr 19, 2011
    75
    A classic example of a good-not-great game, SOCOM 4 adopts some modern conventions, but gets stuck in a rut between realism and engaging game play. Having the trio of single player, co-op and multi is nice, but none of it is very compelling.
  22. PSX Extreme
    Apr 17, 2011
    75
    Perhaps the best way to describe this game is to say the campaign is worthy of no more than a 7, while the multiplayer is around an 8. But if you're more anal and susceptible to the problems I outlined in this review, you'll find the single-player element even more tiresome, and if you're one of those veteran fans I just mentioned, you may have other reservations.
  23. GameSpot
    Apr 14, 2011
    75
    A sturdy campaign, challenging cooperative mode, and boisterous online multiplayer help SOCOM 4 make its predecessors proud.
  24. SpazioGames
    Apr 12, 2011
    75
    SOCOM: Special Forces seems to answer to those player who where asking for a tactical shooter without giving up on newcomers. We won't find any arcade moments, but the game settings are adjustable to fit nearly any kind of player demands. Technically the game suffers from a lack of personality, but overall the verdict is positive.

Awards & Rankings

37
#37 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2011
36
#36 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2011

User Reviews

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User Score
6.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 133 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 69 out of 133
  2. Mixed: 30 out of 133
  3. Negative: 34 out of 133
  1. GR3EN_CHRONIC
    Apr 19, 2011
    10
    Best SOCOM since SOCOM 2. After SOCOM 2 zipper pretty much fell off for me. Then Slant 6 came in and I loved their work on the PSP, but whenBest SOCOM since SOCOM 2. After SOCOM 2 zipper pretty much fell off for me. Then Slant 6 came in and I loved their work on the PSP, but when it came to confrontation it was just as bad as Zipper's last project, but Zipper came back to change all that and as a diehard SOCOM fan I must say they did rather well. Sure their are issues, but playing in classic mode is a nice change of pace for things. Definitely can't play this game like or compare this game to other modern day shooters. This one actually takes time, teamwork, and patience. Overall what I expected.… Full Review »
  2. solid_snake3656
    Apr 24, 2011
    0
    One of the greatest playstation franchises has officially died, and socom 4 is the final nail in the coffin. The key features that made thisOne of the greatest playstation franchises has officially died, and socom 4 is the final nail in the coffin. The key features that made this franchise stand out amongst everything else, leave you asking WTF? The single player is no longer a tactical mission, it plays out like any other shooters SP. Where you walk into an area as quietly as possible, yet the enemy some how knows you are there. The cover sysem is a nice addition to the game, but again its nothing innovative since so many other shooters are using it as well. And as for the multiplayer, its a total nightmare. There will be times in classic mode as soon as the match starts, everyone spawns, than about 15-20 seconds later it allows you to respawn. And by the time you even leave your spawn, you are hit with a nade or gun fire. The camera view doesn't do this game any favors either, the over the shoulder view blocks out any peripheral vision that you have. And going around objects makes the camera zoom into the back of your characters head. Lack of weapon customization and character customization really hurt this game as well. All in all socom 4 is a mediocre game, that tries to imitate all the other shooters out there. Not worth my $60… Full Review »
  3. Kazumaru
    Apr 22, 2011
    3
    As a fan of the original SOCOM's on the PS2, this game totally strays far from its original roots. A very poor OTS Camera view with tonsAs a fan of the original SOCOM's on the PS2, this game totally strays far from its original roots. A very poor OTS Camera view with tons camera collision, random bullet spray instead of actual recoil, and a cover system that promotes heavy camping. This game was meant to cater to the semi-retarded ADD players of COD. That is not what SOCOM is about. The previous SOCOMs were all about teamwork, communication, and skill. I do not see any of these in this installment of SOCOM. Currently, the game makes it almost impossible to play with your friends. Include that with a shotty mic system that hardly works and a socom engine where gunfights are determined by luck rather than skill, this game just simply isn't SOCOM. They simply added the SOCOM name to it to improve their sales because we all know this game wouldn't sell if it was called "Third Person COD and Every Other Shooter Out There Rip Off"… Full Review »
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