SOCOM II: US Navy SEALs

Released alongside the PlayStation 2's network adapter in 2003, the original SOCOM: US Navy SEALs proved to be a good start for Sony's online initiative, offering a solid and playable team-based gaming experience. Well, the obligatory sequel is here and, as is the norm, it's bigger, better, packed with new features, and more powerful than you can possibly imagine (actually, ignore that last one!).

SOCOM II offers the same third-person, strategical, squad-based military-type stuff gameplay as its predecessor, allowing up to 16 players (eight per team) to join clans and battle it out over the Internet or a LAN for the ultimate rank of 'Admiral'. There are 22 different online missions, made up of five different mission types: returning favourites from the original, Demolition, Extraction and Suppression, as well as the new Breach and Escort modes.

A strong emphasis throughout SOCOM II is on the online community itself. Using the 'also available' USB headset (or, indeed, the one from the original SOCOM) players can benefit from the game's enhanced online communication, which enables team members to communicate more easily, as well as use voice alteration and sub-channels for offensive and defensive strategies. Players can also utilise the friends list to find fellow gamers online or, conversely, take advantage of an ignore list to deny communication with others. And there's also the ability to create customised games and match sets or join one according to rank, thus assuring compatible skill levels.

Featuring interactive environments, the ability to call in air strikes, detailed player stat tracking, and a spectator mode, where up to eight players can observe the action, the online gameplay in SOCOM II is definitely where the focus is throughout. If you have a network adapter, then you should certainly check it out.