Socom Fireteam Bravo 3

GAME OF THE WEEK:  Socom Fireteam Bravo 3,16 cert, Sony Computer Entertainment, PSP ****

Socom

returns with another military shooter designed to test your reflexes and tactical prowess. This time you’re on the hunt for ex-KGB agent Alexander Gozorov, who may have information on a potential terrorist threat involving weapons of mass destruction. Gozorov has melted into the shadows in Koratvia; your job is to do likewise and track him down. Along the way, you have the back-up of your team of Navy Seals, which has been expanded to three members.

These extra hands can come in handy when you find yourself in the middle of a firefight. But blasting your way through every level isn’t the aim of

Socom

. Like previous titles, some missions require stealth to succeed. Sneak up on your enemies to disable them; use silenced weapons to take them out from afar. Remember this and your missions will go a lot smoother.

However, it’s never going to be that easy, is it? Stealth is a skill that takes time to acquire, and trying to master it is, while frustrating at times, one of the more fun elements of the game. The core game itself is not hugely different from

FTB2

. However, this can be a strength in some cases.

FTB3

keeps some of the gameplay elements that made its predecessor great: the simple targetting system for taking on your enemies, the importance of choosing your tactics wisely. Within

FTB3

are a number of modes to play, including the standard mission-based mode. While the single player campaigns can feel a bit short and on the easy side, the multiplayer mode is far more fun.

Online play is where Socom excels.

FTB3

allows up to 16 Seals and mercenaries to battle in modes such as team deathmatch, free for all and capture and hold, among others, spread over a number of maps. Voice chat is enabled, so you can talk tactics and consult with team members.

Another lure for

Socom

is the ability to customise your weapons, and there is an extensive range to choose from. There is a tendency by some (myself included) to dismiss the graphic quality of handheld games, but

Socom

certainly dispels that. The cut scenes are well rendered and while the graphics in gameplay won’t provide a major challenge to the PS3 or Xbox 360 any time soon, they’re a world away from pixelated art of old.

Our recommendation? Turn up the difficulty, go online or draft in your friends for cooperative play. It’s far more fun than trying to go solo.