The game is aimed towards realism. There aren't cartooney characters or bright colors here. Often you can barely make your character out against the background. You work your way stealthily towards enemies, trying to snipe them without being seen. The background music themes are generally soft so you can hear the sound of approaching enemies.
The graphics are really rather stellar for the PS2. From floating clouds to drifting dust clouds, from scraggles of grass to gritty textures of buildings, you get the sense that you're in a war zone. I really think they did the best they could with the PS2, in portraying a natural environment.
The maps are quite large and intricate. This is great for both single player and multiplayer purposes. Often a game is well geared towards one area or another, but SOCOM does a good job pleasing both sets of players.
Some of the key combinations can be really challenging, especially for newcomers to the SOCOM series. Trying to get your troops to get into a vehicle with you - or heck, figuring out how to get YOU into a vehicle, can be challenging. This is a game that takes a bit of time to get the hang of.
But that being said, there is a lot of wealth in here that can get quite addictive once you've immersed yourself. The environment is that compelling.
Well recommended for fans of combat / fighting games, even in modern times. The graphics might not be as shiny as current games, but the gameplay still stands strong. Well recommended.
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