SOCOM 4: U.S. Navy SEALs

 PlayStation 3
  • Publisher: SCEA
  • Release Date: Apr 19, 2011
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
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  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 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 forBest 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.… Expand
  2. MGSVicious
    Apr 28, 2011
    10
    Although something is lacking, in comparison to Socom 2. This game brought me back into the franchise after not purchasing Socom 3 and Confrontation. The elimination of vehicles was great, in multiplayer. Single Player is more tactical than either Socom 1 or 2. At the end of the day they made leaps, and just because its not a first person shooter people hate. This game kills COD BlackAlthough something is lacking, in comparison to Socom 2. This game brought me back into the franchise after not purchasing Socom 3 and Confrontation. The elimination of vehicles was great, in multiplayer. Single Player is more tactical than either Socom 1 or 2. At the end of the day they made leaps, and just because its not a first person shooter people hate. This game kills COD Black Ops anyday, in fact its more balaced, better campaign and multiplayer. Stop Hating and Appreciate, not only the spectacular graphics but also, the intense game play.… Expand
  3. dontworrybhappy
    Apr 19, 2011
    10
    Wow look at the scores here: people very divided about this game. I'm having fun with it. I played COD MW for a while. This game is more tactical. I like the cover system. People who don't like it should realize they don't have to use it, and should quit complaining about it. And please stop with the comparisons. This game has a good feel of it's own. I guess you'll love it or hate it.
  4. C_A_G_E
    Apr 20, 2011
    10
    MY Review is based off of Single Player, Co-Op and Multiplayer Classic. I loved every minute of the 7 hours i played last night. Co-op- Is an extremely fun and rewarding mode if played with the right people. Using the mic is a must and so is patience. The levels we played needed everyone to take thought out positions and not run out in the middle. If someone tried to rambo through theyMY Review is based off of Single Player, Co-Op and Multiplayer Classic. I loved every minute of the 7 hours i played last night. Co-op- Is an extremely fun and rewarding mode if played with the right people. Using the mic is a must and so is patience. The levels we played needed everyone to take thought out positions and not run out in the middle. If someone tried to rambo through they would die and have to wait until our team could clear out enough enemies to safely revive them. Made playing the levels very tactical and we actually paid attention to other players health levels and moved who had point based on their health. Using strategy and tactics we were able to get through levels without failing but it did not come easy. Single Player- Admittedly i only played the first level with the sharpshooter and move but it was very fun. The button layout will take a while to get used to on the sharpshooter but using it enhanced the SP.

    Classic multiplayer- While playing i seen a trend. The player who ran out without knowledge of the map or a purpose dies quickly and complained a lot. Online requires a lot of strategy and knowledge of how your weapon works. The same players were always on top so the game is very skill based. The shooting mechanics require that your reticle be on target before you shoot or you will most likely miss your your target with subsequent bullets. After getting the hang of this shooting without L1 is very easy to do and i found myself on the good end of face to face battles.

    I do know that there are pleasant of players who do not understand the shooting mechanic yet because a few times someone would fail to kill me when they start shooting at my back. Generally their first shot missed then they hit me with the 3rd or fourth shot and blow through a few more that miss before i turn around and took them out.    … Expand
  5. SpartanEdge
    May 31, 2011
    8
    Unlike alot on here,i'm not judging this game on what it is,not what it 'isnt'.i'm reviewing this as a game in its own right.& that is a fun to play & competent Squad Action game.Sure,its not much like earlier Socom games.They were obviously trying something different here.Stop moaning that this isnt like another title,& just enjoy this for what it is.I'm sure they'll be more traditionalUnlike alot on here,i'm not judging this game on what it is,not what it 'isnt'.i'm reviewing this as a game in its own right.& that is a fun to play & competent Squad Action game.Sure,its not much like earlier Socom games.They were obviously trying something different here.Stop moaning that this isnt like another title,& just enjoy this for what it is.I'm sure they'll be more traditional Socom titles in the future,& i'll be sure to enjoy & try them too.The only reasons the score isnt higher,is because it didnt have Co-Op in the campaign(what a waste of potential),& the Stealth Missions,which i didnt find particually enjoyable,& just felt like they were in the way.Anyone who says Confrontation is better than this is mad.Its a very poor quality multiplayer-only game,that isnt even what the Seals are about.Seal missions are about going in,completing a very specific mission,then getting out,with as least 'Confrontation' as possible.Not llingering in one place,in a prolonged,pointless firefight..… Expand
  6. RD74
    May 27, 2011
    10
    I love tactical shooters, Rainbow Six, Operation Flashpoint, Battlefield games etc, but I have to say that SOCOM 4 is a great game. The single player mode is decent at best, but the online is where (IMO) this game excels!! Good variety of modes and detailed maps. I enjoyed MAG by these same devs, but SOCOM is where its at for me. Brilliant online game in every sense of the word.
    If you    I love tactical shooters, Rainbow Six, Operation Flashpoint, Battlefield games etc, but I have to say that SOCOM 4 is a great game. The single player mode is decent at best, but the online is where (IMO) this game excels!! Good variety of modes and detailed maps. I enjoyed MAG by these same devs, but SOCOM is where its at for me. Brilliant online game in every sense of the word.
    If you like your "no tactics, run and gun" games, then CoD is for you (altho I have been very disappointed with the last 2 CoD games, not a patch on MW 1). People keep harming on about 'there's no seals in the game', well if your from the states, the game is called SOCOM navy seals, I'm sure you get to play as a seal. Around the rest of the world it seems to be called SOCOM special forces, and is localized for your country. If team work and bit of Rambo solo is your passion, then you wont go far wrong with SOCOM. Brilliant work Zipper. Collapse    … Expand
  7. Pukadon
    Apr 20, 2011
    8
    Socom 4 offers strategic gameplay and interesting maps. The graphics are crisp, with vivid detail on cracked roadways and damaged cars; lots of interesting hiding places come out of those too. The game has only been up for one day, but so far Iâ
  8. Zarathesus
    May 2, 2011
    8
    The online is where it's at for me. Granted, it is much different and more accessible than previous Socoms, but I still feel like I'm playing Socom. Zipper is good with patching games so any bugs are being fixed(don't count Confrontation, ZIpper didn't make that one). The multiplayer camera is completely revamped from the SP view, which is great. I'd much rather be playing this thanThe online is where it's at for me. Granted, it is much different and more accessible than previous Socoms, but I still feel like I'm playing Socom. Zipper is good with patching games so any bugs are being fixed(don't count Confrontation, ZIpper didn't make that one). The multiplayer camera is completely revamped from the SP view, which is great. I'd much rather be playing this than CoD. The online Rush Hour map is just euphoric. It's massive, there's many pindown points, and it's a blast to play on respawn....something I thought I'd never say with a Socom game. This game's online is where it excels, everything else is very bland and forgettable. Nowhere near better than Socom 1 or 2, but better than 3 and CA in my book, as far as multiplayer is concerned. I say rent it, $60 is too much to gamble with on video games. I also think the graphics are amazing on my HD Toshiba. It's not Killzone or FFXIII quality, but you can tell there was a lot of work put into detail. Most of the reason this game is getting such bad reviews is because of how much the series has changed. Most veterans of the franchise are having a sitdown in attempt to reinvigorate what Zipper used to mean to them. That, and there aren't any Navy Seals in this game lol. It should've been called NATO: Special Forces in all honesty, kidding aside. Granted, am I a bit disappointed with what Socom 4 has become? Yeah. I was hoping that Zipper was more down to earth and wouldn't attempt to tap into the CoD demographic. But I can't deny I have fun playing this game. That's where it counts for me.… Expand
  9. rukia-chan
    Feb 18, 2012
    9
    Socom 4 and mag are one of the best games ive play so far compare mag or socom to all others games from BF to COD to brink to homefront whats game can be enjoyable as socom 4 or mag ?? Zipper deserve respect Socom 4 have some issue need to be adresse BUT THe game bashing must END i think every games bashers must be banned from socom forums because they have no place here they ruins theSocom 4 and mag are one of the best games ive play so far compare mag or socom to all others games from BF to COD to brink to homefront whats game can be enjoyable as socom 4 or mag ?? Zipper deserve respect Socom 4 have some issue need to be adresse BUT THe game bashing must END i think every games bashers must be banned from socom forums because they have no place here they ruins the forums they ruins zippers and its not good for anyone… Expand
  10. Ash3n
    Apr 29, 2011
    10
    Do not listen to haters and trolls. This game is easily among top 3 of multiplayer shooters. Well designed maps, 32 players and nice tactical gameplay. Movement is slower than in CoD series preventing rambo style rampage. It is pretty sad such great game is being downranked that badly because of not being CoD paced (critics) or not being what Socom 2/3 fanboys expected (users).
  11. BTUpr0ductii0nz
    Apr 24, 2011
    9
    These people giving this game any less than a 5 are just Socom fanboys that are **** about it not being Socom 2. It's an excellent game that'll keep you playing for a long time. The SP campaign albeit short is quite good, nothing to really write home about, but it's unique and you can play the missions many different ways. There's a custom campaign which is awesome and a co op campaign soThese people giving this game any less than a 5 are just Socom fanboys that are **** about it not being Socom 2. It's an excellent game that'll keep you playing for a long time. The SP campaign albeit short is quite good, nothing to really write home about, but it's unique and you can play the missions many different ways. There's a custom campaign which is awesome and a co op campaign so you can play with your friends online. If it's a cod ripoff why hasn't cod ever had a custom campaign or had a co op campaign (except W@W which had a co op campaign). The online is really fun. A decent variety of game modes, solid clan system and a NO LAG (something else cod doesn't have). I do have one gripe about this game and that's the lack of an invite system. You can join your friends when they're already in a game but you can't invite them to a party which is annoying. That's a big enough flaw to take a point off an otherwise fairly perfect game. I definitely suggest buying this. I cancelled my preorder the day before release because of these retard Socom fanboys but I still ended up buying it a couple days after release and I'm very glad I did. The psn outage has forced me to play the SP and after 4 days of it I'm still not tired of it.… Expand
  12. Warpanda
    Apr 20, 2011
    10
    Amazing game. Great single player campaign. Fun and addicting Co-Op. And the heart and soul of SOCOM is its multiplayer and it shines in this one. It is great to have Zipper back in the saddle. Can't wait for the possibility of throwback DLC, maybe some classic maps and modes. But don't get me wrong. This is a title no one should miss.
  13. Netcutter
    Apr 24, 2011
    8
    I find it unfortunate that gamers and critics are so fickle and so unrealistic with their expectations. It is always "where are the next gen graphics" and " this game does not compare to that game". SOCOM 4 is actually a good game to play (the single player experience is what I am commenting on as I cannot play the online portion until PSN is back up). Very good game. I like playingI find it unfortunate that gamers and critics are so fickle and so unrealistic with their expectations. It is always "where are the next gen graphics" and " this game does not compare to that game". SOCOM 4 is actually a good game to play (the single player experience is what I am commenting on as I cannot play the online portion until PSN is back up). Very good game. I like playing it with PS Move and the complaints about the cover system are true but is just not that big a deal. The squad AI is maybe a little too good but this allows you to command your squad from the back if you want to. I hope you enjoy it for what it is.… Expand
  14. MHoerl
    Apr 22, 2011
    10
    I have played every single Socom game, and I feel that is a great modernization of the Socom franchise. No its not exactly like classic Socom, but it DOES make the game more comfortable to a wider audience while keeping the core fans satisfied with the Classic gameplay mode. Zipper is actively listening to the community to make it an even better game. I really enjoy the game.
  15. Erie
    Apr 23, 2011
    9
    While I agree the single player is **** Socom has never had a great single player and that''s not the attraction to the franchise. What matter is the MP and it delivers. Offering "most" of the classic gameplay modes as the first 3. You'll find yourself playing suppression as demolition was vastly changed, and imo, not in a good way. However, they've outdone themselves in creating the maps,While I agree the single player is **** Socom has never had a great single player and that''s not the attraction to the franchise. What matter is the MP and it delivers. Offering "most" of the classic gameplay modes as the first 3. You'll find yourself playing suppression as demolition was vastly changed, and imo, not in a good way. However, they've outdone themselves in creating the maps, greatly increasing the area and detail on par if not exceeding that of CoD: MW2 . There is chokepoints, but cleverly disguised in what seem to be huge maps. What stops me from giving this a perfect 10 is the camera issues. It's something that people can get used to, but is just annoying at the start. Not similar to any of the previous Socoms. A… Expand
  16. Patriotsman12
    Jun 3, 2011
    10
    The Socom series is easily one of the best series on the PS consoles. Socom 4 does not disappoint, its a great game with a whole lot of content this is a must buy.
  17. JeffEagle
    Sep 24, 2011
    10
    I guarantee everyone on here that is crying about how they hate this game are playing it right now. You can't tell me that you don't have fun when you play it, regardless of it's problems. Stop comparing it to other socom's. No one care that you've been playing socom since the first one. Get over yourself and be honest, you probably play socom 4 everyday like the rest of us.
  18. Shdaowgate
    Nov 10, 2011
    10
    Different then older socom but a great game anyways. The new game modes are alot of fun. Nice to see developers trying something new. In a time where respawn is kind it is great Zipper kept a classic mode for all of that are true.
  19. Jobadkins
    Nov 3, 2011
    10
    What a game,I love everything about this game.Thanks a million that it got the patches it needed cause yes it truly needed it.The game was good but needed help because it was rushed.I usually won't go out and get a game that is bashed by reviewers so badly,except for a few.People are really hypnotized with black ops fever cause this game is better and more real.It's like comparing anWhat a game,I love everything about this game.Thanks a million that it got the patches it needed cause yes it truly needed it.The game was good but needed help because it was rushed.I usually won't go out and get a game that is bashed by reviewers so badly,except for a few.People are really hypnotized with black ops fever cause this game is better and more real.It's like comparing an arcade racing game with a simulation.This game is real while more and more military games are being streamlined and made arcadey just for the fun aspect.So you have a choice,go out and buy them all like I do or if you have or want to choose then what is your preference,do you like run and gun like black ops,do you like real and rewarding like bad company 2 or do you like it all which is this game.Trust me folks,the game play,graphics,feel of war,replay factor,team based mission structure,ect..,ect..This game is the game to get.… Expand
  20. ALNbandido
    Jun 29, 2011
    8
    This is the best SOCOM yet. This under-rated shooter shines at giving the high level of tension and coordination that comes from being a U.S Navy SEAL. Surprisingly, the sound effects really give you a sense that you're in the middle of a real battle. I've never experienced this in any SOCOM game. Also, the gun-play is spot-on. It's not Call Of Duty level of spot-on gun-play, but for aThis is the best SOCOM yet. This under-rated shooter shines at giving the high level of tension and coordination that comes from being a U.S Navy SEAL. Surprisingly, the sound effects really give you a sense that you're in the middle of a real battle. I've never experienced this in any SOCOM game. Also, the gun-play is spot-on. It's not Call Of Duty level of spot-on gun-play, but for a third-person tactical shooter, it's pretty good. Using the D-Pad to give out orders, Thinking up strategies with your squad has never been easier. Left for the blue team, right for the yellow team and down to regroup. This makes using your team alot of fun. Something I disliked in previous SOCOM games. The story is the best in a military game since the first Modern Warfare. Give Zipper Interactive alot of credit. They really went all out when it came to giving us the first good SOCOM single-player campaign. The custom campaign mode is a pretty cool way to give the game more replay value. Better yet, you can play them in Co-Op. Teaming up with friends lets you strategize the missions in a way that would be impossible with A.I. team-mates. Multiplayer is great as always. It has alot of variety in the game-types, rewards, unlock-ables and the interface is pretty easy to use. Now, don't get me wrong, SOCOM 4 is great but it's not perfect. The later missions in the story campaign get so hard that you'll be laughing out of frustration just to distract you from the fact that you want to throw the controller to the TV. The camera really needed some more polish as it gets in the way sometimes and makes your character completely disappear. I struggled with this regularly throughout the game. The A.I. is not the smartest I've seen. Your team-mates sometimes get in the way and then scream at you as if it was your fault that you shot him in the back. Also, the enemies seem to be super-human since they can hear your footsteps from a mile away. You can be quietly sneaking and all the sudden an entire army comes at you guns-blazing.

    SOCOM 4 has it's issues but the pros outshine the cons. Longtime SOCOM fans should feel right at home and very satisfied with this latest entry. And for those tired with the Call Of Duty's and Battlefield's, this game is a great change of pace from all the run-and-gun shooters that are dominating the market these days.    … Expand
  21. Bosefus123
    Oct 27, 2011
    10
    This is the most underrated multiplayer game ever. It's fast, fluid, fun and looks gorgeous. Great game modes, lots of weapons and cool looking characters. It's way better than Call of Duty and Battlefield games.
  22. darkwraith
    May 10, 2012
    10
    Socom 4. upon release took a lot of flak from fans of the series as well as from trolls on zippers official forum. But taking a second look at socom 4 apart from the loss of a few in-game mechanics like guns hot (your'e gun would move indicating an enemy was near). You begin to appreciate how much of a quality game zipper interactive actually made. The maps and campaign graphics areSocom 4. upon release took a lot of flak from fans of the series as well as from trolls on zippers official forum. But taking a second look at socom 4 apart from the loss of a few in-game mechanics like guns hot (your'e gun would move indicating an enemy was near). You begin to appreciate how much of a quality game zipper interactive actually made. The maps and campaign graphics are highly detailed and the foliage even allows you camo that actually works. stealth works consistently too so if you snipe an enemy on a bridge. closer enemies will not react and rush in to kill you, as they do in the recently released sniper elite v2. Having said that most campaign missions require both run and gun and stealth to complete. Socom is the thinking mans call of duty. Were tactics and pre-planning works better than trying to simply shoot everything that moves, that usually results in an un-timely death. The amount of content is good from the lengthy and challenging campaign the seperate online or offline co op missions to the full multi-mode multiplayer with leaderboards full guns and performance stats and medals to show your online progression with a fully working clan, and invite system the online after the final 1.04 patch is about 90%stable allowing for many hours play without lag or disconnect problems. Dedicated servers too so no host migration at all spoiling youre game. Also the uni-forms are replicas of the real item and voice localisation of troops is great. ie chinese troops speak chinese just like they do in real life. Sadly this may be the last in the Socom series as Zipper -Interactive no longer exists. But despite its critics i would recommend socom 4 now if youre looking for a more realistic war game than a lot of more recent titles and even some forth coming titles with recent beta,s do not beat socom 4.r.i.p. Zipper-Interactive.… Expand
  23. Gaming4Jesus
    Mar 13, 2012
    9
    I ACTUALLY gave this game an 8.5 in a Christian Game Review on my You Tube Channel, Gaming 4 Jesus ( http://www.youtube.com/Gaming4Jesus ). But MC won't allow us to give half-points. :/ In summary, if you want an excellent single player game which requires use of tried and true battle tactics, this game is second to only Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter series. TheI ACTUALLY gave this game an 8.5 in a Christian Game Review on my You Tube Channel, Gaming 4 Jesus ( http://www.youtube.com/Gaming4Jesus ). But MC won't allow us to give half-points. :/ In summary, if you want an excellent single player game which requires use of tried and true battle tactics, this game is second to only Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter series. The multiplayer was really nothing to write home about. :( If you wish to see my video review of the game, you can watch it by going to this URL: http://youtu.be/8W5nXtCDKqA

    However, all my video game reviews MAY contain spoilers. So be warned! ;)    … Expand
  24. The_D4RknesS
    Jun 17, 2023
    8
    It has changed a lot compared to PS2 games but even so the game is wonderful and has great gameplay! The graphics are also beautiful

Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

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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
  1. 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]
  2. Thunderbolt
    Sep 19, 2011
    60
    SOCOM 4 is a light and breezy third-person shooter that's pretty good by genre standards, but perhaps a bit lacking in comparison to SOCOM 2.
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  3. Play.tm
    Aug 5, 2011
    69
    This is a decent online shooter with a fairly bland and mildly repetitive single-player component added on.
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