tacticalstrike
Latest
SOCOM Week: Interview with Ryan Eames
The upcoming SOCOM: Tactical Strike is an international affair, bringing more than US NAVY SEALs into the battle. We talked to Ryan Eames, producer and generally awesome guy, about Tactical Strike's newfound global approach. Tactical Strike features soldiers from all over the world. What are some of the squadrons you can play as?We are excited to bring international Special Forces to the SOCOM franchise. We came up with a list of Special Forces we felt would fit well with the story and style of SOCOM Tactical Strike. This was certainly not an easy decision, as just like the U.S., there are many Special Forces to choose from. As we finalized the list, these are the groups that rose to the top: U.S. Navy SEALs (Sea, Air and Land) British SAS (Special Air Service) Australian SASR (Special Air Service Regiment) French GIGN (Groupement d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale) Italian COMSUBIM (Commando Raggruppamento Subacquei ed Incursori Teseo Tesei) Spanish UOE (Unidad de Operaciones Especiales) German KSK (Kommando Spezialkrafte) Netherlands KCT (Korps Commandotroepen) South Korean 707th (707th Special Missions Battalion)
SOCOM Week: Turning game journalists into SEALs
Is there any better way to explain how a SOCOM game works than throwing games journalists into a battle scenario? That's exactly what Sony did at its recent Media Day event. Various journalists were given gear, a crash course on military tactics, and thrown into a simulated gunfight against real NAVY SEALs. We talked to a few journalists that attended the event to learn about what they experienced, and how it affected their view of SOCOM: Tactical Strike."Attending the recent SCEA Media event was (initially) rather horrifying for me, since finding out that a pack of game journalists would be training alongside actual Navy SEALs is quite possibly the most surreal discovery imaginable. However, much to my surprise, Navy SEALs can be extremely considerate and understanding, and we had a great time. Participating in an Airsoft course under the supervision of a SEAL was an experience to remember, and I sincerely enjoyed being scolded at for loading the magazine of my weapon too early. Honestly, how many non-military personnel can say that they've been cursed out by a drill sergeant? I can. And it was rad."Ryan Clements, IGN PSP"The whole experience at Redlands was amazing! Sony, the Navy SEALs, and Slant Six did an excellent job of getting the journalists into the game in more ways I could have ever imagined. By participating in the scenarios where we had to suit up and act like an actual SEALs unit, we had a better understanding of the importance of team play and the direction the game was heading into. We also found out that journalists aren't soldiers and getting shot at is scary!" Mark Julio, High-Score Online
SOCOM Week: Two new videos
We have two new videos of SOCOM: Tactical Strike for your viewing pleasure today. First, you can see the SEALs going through a village, trying to keep civilian casualties to a minimum. After the cut, see Tactical Strike's awesome night vision mode in action.Come back tomorrow where we'll have two more videos to share.
SOCOM Week: Tactical Strike hands-on
After getting our hands on a updated build of SOCOM: Tactical Strike, we can confidently say that this has the potential to be the best SOCOM game yet. Unlike the previous Fireteam Bravo games on the system, Tactical Strike dares to take the franchise in a brand new direction. By focusing on the tactical and strategic elements of being a NAVY SEAL, Tactical Strike has crafted an experience unlike any other -- Tactical Strike contains both an incredible amount of depth while also being ideally suited for PSP's limited controls.Because Tactical Strike is such a radical departure from the previous SOCOM games, it takes some time to get used to the controls and concept of the game. Yes, you'll still be killing terrorists and bad guys -- but how you do it will be completely different. Instead of having direct control over a SEAL, you'll act as a commander, dictating orders and commands to your squad. There are four members of your squad, grouped into two smaller squads: Able and Bravo element.The entire squadron can be commanded as one unit. Using the analog nub, players will be able to command the squad where to move and whether or not to move there stealthily. A ghost system will indicate how the squad will be positioned when they arrive at the specified point: it's an incredibly helpful system that allows you to take advantage of cover efficiently and even set up a man to fire from a corner. You can command your soldiers to simply wait, target a specific enemy, or stay on the lookout for targets.%Gallery-3218%
SOCOM: Tactical Strike gets "silent and deadly"
"Let's keep it quiet."We wish. SOCOM: Tactical Strike looks really great -- it's come a long way since we last saw video of it. The added dialogue is much improved over the laughable computer-synthesized voice used in earlier builds of the game. However, we still want more than a handful of one-liners. Hey, they changed our previous complaint -- maybe they'll address this one as well?Other than the presentation, we have to admit that the gameplay of Tactical Strike looks intriguing and intense. It's supposed to be less action-oriented than previous SOCOM titles, but you won't notice it in this lengthy, detailed video.
New SOCOM: Tactical Strike screens may be too beautiful
Unfortunately, there were a couple of games to slip past us at E3 this year, and SOCOM: Tactical Strike was one of them. Looking at these new screenshots, we have to admit that we regret that mistake. These are stunning screenshots, and this one in particular gets us quite moved. Hopefully, we'll atone our sins soon ... and get hands-on impressions the second we get a preview build of the game.%Gallery-3218%
SOCOM Tactical Strike: the gameplay, the silly computer voice
We're undoubtedly intrigued by SOCOM Tactical Strike. It's taking the series in a brave new direction, with some amazing graphics to boot. When we spotted a new gameplay video on GameVideos.com, we had to check it out. Too bad the compelling gameplay is nearly ruined by the awful computer synthesized voice. We're hoping its merely a placeholder -- otherwise, we may be laughing too hard to gun down terrorists as efficiently as we can.
SOCOM Tactical Strike demo to come this summer
SOCOM Tactical Strike is a radical departure for the series. In an interview with IGN, Dan McBride, director of development at Slant Six, commented on the new direction they're taking the franchise. "We set out to make a game that exists very solidly in the SOCOM universe but presents gameplay that is brand new to the franchise- it's not a shooter! So there is a risk there, but we are pretty confident that the tactical play will in fact appeal to the hardcores in particular."In order for gamers to understand the unique play of Tactical Strike, McBride reveals that a demo will be made available this summer. "I am pretty sure there will be a playable demo this summer so people can take a test drive for themselves."
SGD '07: SOCOM Tactical Strike
Fresh from Sony's Gamer Day, we have new images of Sony's recently unveiled SOCOM: US Navy SEALs Tactical Strike. As you've read in our previous coverage of the title, Tactical Strike is taking the series into a bold new direction. Check out the new screens -- they're some of the best we've seen yet on the platform. Then, check out the game's trailer, after the cut. %Gallery-3218%
GameStop reveals listing for new Syphon Filter
Is Syphon Filter returning to PSP? According to an updated GameStop release list, the answer is yes. Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow joins the newly revealed SOCOM: Tactical Strike and a US-release for Pursuit Force 2 in the retailer's latest update to their database. If Gamespot's investigating is to be believed, Logan's Shadow should hit PSP systems first -- September 4th. Afterwards, Pursuit Force 2 and Tactical Strike should release on September 25th and October 2nd, respectively.Retailers are notorious for revealing unannounced titles accidentally, giving this report a great deal of weight. With Syphon Filter joining the PSP lineup again later this year, it's clear that PSP owners are going to have a lot of games to play this fall.
SOCOM: Tactical Strike unveiled
The SOCOM series has found a great deal of success on PSP. The Fireteam Bravo series have pushed the limits of Infrastructure play on the handheld. Now, Sony's taking the series in a bold new direction. Tactical Strike adds tactical strategy to the franchise. According to IGN, "Tactical Strike is something of a cross between Full Spectrum Warrior and the squad command element from Brother in Arms. You're in command of four soldiers broken into two smaller fire teams, and you're able to issue commands to either team, an individual soldier or all four guys at the same time."The game promises to offer as much action as the rest of the series. The franchise is famous for its online play, and Tactical Strike looks to continue the trend: four players can control four soldiers each via Infrastructure. One of the most exciting aspects of the title has to be its visuals: the incredible amount of foliage and impressive lighting make it look like one of the most impressive SOCOM games, on console or handheld.Tactical Strike is scheduled for an October release. Check out IGN for more details.
