Metareview: SOCOM Fireteam Bravo 2

Another year, another SOCOM title. Sure, this one has new maps and got prettier. But does this sequel make any real advances, or is the franchise showing its age?

• Yahoo! Games (90/100) thinks SOCOM goes above and beyond what a handheld game should do: "In terms of pacing, community, and great gunplay, this is the closest you'll get to a handheld Counter-Strike. And as far as handheld shooters go, this is as good as it gets."
  

• GameDaily (80/100) is shocked by the remarkable AI: "Sony once again proves that a handheld version of the long-running action game series can work just as well as the console editions. The multiplayer is as strong as expected, with up to sixteen players being able to jump in and enjoy three different games. But the real shocker is how stacked the single player experience is... The presentation and AI on enemy soldiers is also worth noting as they are both much improved and quite impressive."
  

• Game Informer (75/100) still doesn't like the controls, but thinks the PSP game is superior to its PS2 counterpart: "Oddly enough, the single-player campaign is still more enjoyable than its PS2 brother. At the very least this does a better job of walking you through the first level and teaching you the ropes... But FTB's saving grace is its multiplayer, the only real reason to play this game. A lot of the single player problems evaporate when you go online and sample any of the eight multiplayer modes FTB 2 has to offer."

It doesn't appear as if Fireteam Bravo 2 offers any significant advances to the franchise. However, the critics generally agree that it'll give you an experience that's unparalleled in handheld gaming. You can dig that right? The game's now available in stores.

See also:
Life of a SOCOM player: females FTW!