SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs: Combined Assault

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs: Combined Assault
Developer(s)	Zipper Interactive
Publisher(s)	Sony Computer Entertainment
Release date(s)	November 7, 2006
Genre(s)	Third-person shooter
Mode(s)	Single player, Multiplayer, Co-op
Rating(s)	ESRB: T (Teen)
Platform(s)	PlayStation 2
Media	PS2 DVD
System requirements	Network adaptor for PS2 (required for SCPH-5000x models only) Broadband Internet connection for online play
Input	DualShock 2, PlayStation 2 Headset (optional), Keyboard (optional)

SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs: Combined Assault, was released November 7, 2006 (North America) for the PlayStation 2 gaming console. Combined Assault features an entirely new campaign, new vehicles, weapons, multiplayer maps and much more.

'Combined Assault's campaign mode is completely new and offers up 18 missions. Rather than spanning multiple countries like past games in the series, the game takes place solely in the fictional country of Adjikistan. The country is supposedly situated somewhere in the Afghanistan/Pakistan region of Central Asia and features a number of environment and climate zones, allowing for the game to feature a wide variety of landscapes and settings while working within one large, connected story.

Contents 1 New Features 2 Changes 3 Verification 4 Weapons 5 Online Maps 6 Downloadable Maps 7 Online Ranking System 8 Characters 8.1 Able Element 8.2 Bravo Element 8.3 Other SEALs 9 Official SOCOM: Combined Assault Player's Guide 10 Trivia 11 The Online Community 12 Glitching Issues 13 External links & References

[edit] New Features

One of the main new features of this game is the ability to play an all new story mode online. Set in the fictitious region country of "Adjikistan" replacing the SEAL team with up to 3 other players via online play.

In addition, the online play section includes all the SOCOM 3 multiplayer maps as well 10 new multiplayer maps for Combined Assault. The SOCOM 3 maps can be played with players using a SOCOM 3 disc, however SOCOM 3 disc users would not be able to play any of the new maps Combined Assault maps without purchasing the game.

The ranking system has been reworked. The player doesn't just have to defeat the other team to get one's rank higher, but the player also has to win games and rounds.

[edit] Changes

To comply with the game's new rating of Teen by the ESRB, some elements of the game were altered. Some major changes were the removal of blood and changing the names of the enemies to mercenaries and paramilitaries to make the game more politically correct.

[edit] Verification

In order to access additional features on SOCOM Combined Assault, the player needs to verify his SOCOM account with a valid credit card. These features include: ranking, clans, friends lists and the ability to join ranked games. However, one can still play Combined Assault without verifying one's account.

[edit] Weapons

Assault-Rifles

• M16A2
• M4A1
• XM8- Labeled "M8" in-game.
• M14
• SA-80- Labeled "IW-80A2" in-game.
• G36C- Labeled "HK36" in-game.
• AK-47
• AN-94- Labeled "AG-94" in-game.
• OC-14- Labeled "RA-14" in-game.
• Steyr AUG- Labeled "STG-77" in-game.
• 552 Commando- Labeled "552" in-game.

Submachine-Guns

• MP5A3N- Labeled "HK5" in-game.
• MP7- Labeled "HK7" in-game.
• Uzi- Labeled "9mm Sub" in-game.
• P90- Labeled "F90" in-game.

Machine-Guns

• MG36
• Mk. 48
• M60E3
• RPK-74- Labeled "RTK-74" in-game.

Sniper Rifles

• M87R-Labeled "M87ELR" in-game.
• L96AW
• M40A1
• SR-25
• M82A1
• Dragunov SVD- Labeled "SASR" in-game.

Shotguns

• M4 90
• Remington 870- Labeled "12-gauge Pump" in-game.
• SPAS-12-Labeled "TA-12 Gauge" in-game.

Pistols

• Model 629- Labeled "R44M" in game. Cannot be used in Online Multiplayer Maps*
• Mark 23
• P226- Labeled "226" in game.
• P9S- Labeled "9mm Pistol" in game.
• Desert-Eagle- Labeled "DE .50" in-game.
• Glock 18- Labeled "Model 18" in-game.
• Five-seveN- Labeled "F57" in-game.

Attachment-Weapons

• M203
• AG36- Labeled "GL-36" in-game.
• FN-303-Labeled "F303" in-game.
• KAC Masterkey- Labeled "M870" in-game.
• ZX25 Airburst

Explosives

• M79
• MM-1 - Cannot be used in Online Multiplayer Maps
• AT-4
• RPG-7
• M3 MAAWS -Labeled "M3" in-game.
• M67
• HE Grenade
• Flashbang
• Smoke-Grenade
• Claymore-Mine
• M2-Mine
• PMN-Mine
• C-4

[edit] Online Maps

There are 10 new maps in Combined Assault, and each one can be played with multiple game modes. Including the SOCOM 3 online maps, there is a total of 22 maps available for play. There are also 3 downloadable maps that can be purchased through the SOCOM 3/Combined Assault Community.

Socom 3 Maps

	Breach	Demolition	Suppression	Escort	Extraction	Control	Convoy
Citadel	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Crucible	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Devil's Road	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Killing Fields	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Antenora	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No
Boneyard	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	No
Storm Front	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No
Tidal Fury	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No
Blackwoods	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No
Fault	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	No
Harvester	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Waterworks	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No

Combined Assault Maps

	Breach	Demolition	Suppression	Escort	Extraction	Control	Convoy
Summit	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No
Copperhead	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Threshold	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Retaliation	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Boot Camp	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Anchorage	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	No
Echelon	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No
Aftershock	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No
Siphon	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No
Prowler	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes

Downloadable Maps

	Breach	Demolition	Suppression	Escort	Extraction	Control	Convoy
After Hours	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	No
Last Bastion	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	No
Liberation	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No

[edit] Downloadable Maps

The first map pack was released on June 27, 2006 and contained the 3 HDD Maps from SOCOM II. The maps are After Hours, Last Bastion, and Liberation. The map pack is still available to purchase through the SOCOM 3/Combined Assault Community for $5.99 (USD).

The second map pack has been announced by Zipper and consists of four SOCOM 1 maps: Abandoned, Blizzard, Blood Lake, and Desert Glory. The price for map pack #2 will be $5.99 (USD).

A third map pack has been announced by Zipper, but the maps and the release date has not been announced.

Although these new maps are released and available to all SOCOM 3/Combined Assault online users, once the two-week trial period expires, a miniscule amount of players actually purchase the map packs, and rarely does one see a game with the downloadable maps included in the map cycle.

[edit] Online Ranking System

The ranking system in SOCOM: Combined Assault is based on raw points. To help demonstrate how this system works, one team will be designated as Team One, and the other team, Team Two.

On a general note, if Team One has a combined overall score (that is the number of points a user has, NOT his/her overall position) greater than that of Team Two, and Team One wins the game, Team One's players will not have gotten as many points than if Team One had a total number of points fewer than that of Team Two.

There are many variables and factors that affect this. If Team One has a total number of 10,000 points, and Team Two also has 10,000 points. If Team One wins the game 6-4, each player would not have gotten as many points had Team One won the game 6-0. In short, winning games in as few rounds as possible will help acquire the most points. In addition, playing games with more rounds cause the most dramatic changes in points, be it winning, or losing. Furthermore, acquiring more kills than deaths after the game has finished will help gain points. However, if Team One has a "big negative", an account with an extremely low negative score, such as -100,000, Team One will now have a total score of -90,000, which results in major point loss towards Team Two. In fact, even if Team Two beats Team One, Team Two will still lose points because Team One's score is so low. "Big negatives" are created through the use of glitching.

Quitting, disconnecting, and getting voted out of ranked games will all contribute to losing points. While in-game, committing suicide or killing friendlies, hostages, V.I.P.'s, etc. will also make one lose points.

[edit] Characters

[edit] Able Element

• SPECTER (voiced by Paul Mercier) - A Chicago native, Commander Dimone Freehold has an Expert Marksman rating and specializes in Military Ops in the Urban Terrain.

• JESTER (v.b. Jason Spisak) - Born and raised in Clyde, Texas, Chief Petty Officer Bailey Ivarsen specializes in Night Fighting and Close Quarters Combat. Jester's primary job is to cover the player, commander Specter. If asked to hold a position too far from Specter, Jester regroups to your position.

[edit] Bravo Element

The Bravo Element of the 4-man team are the backbone of the team. They carry out all orders given to them either separately (if ordered) or as a pair.

• KILLJOY (v.b. James C. Mathis III) - A native of Queens, New York, Petty Officer First Class Darrel Nguyen Flowers specializes in Demolitions and Diving.

• SIMPLE (v.b. Ravi Kapoor) - From Peoria, Illinois, Petty Officer Third Class Davoud Ali Khazai has an Expert Marksman rating and specializes in Foreign Languages.

[edit] Other SEALs

• BOOMER - His real name was Hutchins and was in Kahuna's element in SOCOM 1. After the first game he broke off and went to another fireteam. You're told that he was injured by friendly fire in SOCOM 2. In Combined Assault he is downed in a chopper (along with the rest of his team) and is designated as missing in action. SPECTER finds him dead in the first mission of the game.

• VANDAL (v.b. Nolan North) - His real name is Alex Halda and he was a part of the Bravo Element in SOCOM 2. He broke off and joined another fireteam and eventually became commander of that team. His helicopter was shot down in Combined Assault and you later find him in a paramilitary held town later in the game.

• AZTEC (v.b. Philip Anthony Rodriguez) - A member of VANDAL's team alive in a watchtower later in the game.

• WINGTIP - A member of VANDAL's team alive in an old barracks later in the game.

• SANDMAN (v.b. John Cygan) - A member and commander of Fireteam Bravo. He is involved with the team by communicating intel and providing support in most missions. He is also the main character in SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 2.

[edit] Official SOCOM: Combined Assault Player's Guide

Concurrent with the game's release, BradyGames published "SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs Combined Assault Signature Series Guide"

The guide covers all multiplayer and single-player aspects of this game. This includes maps, complete mission-based walkthroughs, secrets including unlockables, hidden Bonus and Crosstalk objectives, battle tactics, weapons, stealth, sniping, and PSP connectivity.

[edit] Trivia

• The idea of a chopper being shot down while picking up a Navy Seals team is probably based on a real life incident in June 28, 2005. Eight SEALs were lost along with eight Army Night Stalkers when a Taliban rocket-propelled grenade shot down their helicopter in Afghanistan. This chopper mission was attempting to rescue a four-man SEAL reconnaissance team involved in a firefight. Three of the four on the ground were killed. The fourth evaded the enemy and was rescued days later. [1] [2]

• Boomer finally returns in one level after an absence of two games. He is not one of the teammates though, but gets killed off during the mission as a plot direction and a satirical jab at the player base's negative reactions towards the character in the first SOCOM game.

• Vandal returns to this game after an absence of one game. He is not one of the teammates.

• After criticism from fans for Zipper Interactive continually changing teammates, Killjoy and Simple remain as Bravo team throughout the game.

• This is the only SOCOM game for the PlayStation 2 not to be rated M[Mature], it is rated T [Teen].

• This is the only SOCOM game for the Playstation 2 that allows Online Co-Op gameplay against the computer.

• At the end of the game (when watching the GNN station),it is revealed that this game takes place 5 years in the future after SOCOM 3, because it says Mahmood's NAPF party was defeated exactly 5 years from the showing.

• At the end of the game, you finally see the female Navy officer who guides you in your missions over the radio in every SOCOM game.

[edit] The Online Community

The online community in SOCOM: Combined Assault has slightly changed from previous SOCOM games. The number of people online during the day simultaneously has dropped from around 30,000-35,000 in SOCOM II, to 20,000-25,000 in SOCOM 3, to about 16,000-18,000 now in Combined Assault. Recently, with a change to the game's rating, younger fans have influenced the playing hours from around 7pm (CST) to around 4pm (CST).

Since SOCOM 2, the number of user created videos has sky rocketed. Most commonly found on socomvideos.com or youtube.com. Normally touted as "Ownage" or "Pwnage" videos, they show player(s) playing a regular game set to any kind of background music. Over the past year or so, SOCOM reality videos are also increasing in popularity. Reality videos have a story line with characters that are either original or remakes of other movies.

[edit] Glitching Issues

The glitching in the newer SOCOMs (SOCOM 3 and Combined Assault) has not been a large issue than the previous SOCOMs. Because of the similarity in style amongst SOCOM 3 and SOCOM: Combined Assault, Combined Assault has been exploited faster than any of the previous SOCOMs. Those who usually go unpunished, in most rooms, are "booted" through the voting system in each game.

People have created "mod disks" that allow players to jump to extreme heights, shoot single-shot sniper rifles fully automatic, and run faster than the normal speed. Problems arise when these so-called "glitchers" ruin legit games, especially games that are ranked.

[edit] External links & References

• Socom Academy - Your one stop HQ for everything you need in Socom
• SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs: Combined Assault Official website
• Zipper Interactive Official Site

v • d • e SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs video games

SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs • II • 3 • Combined Assault Fireteam Bravo • Fireteam Bravo 2