SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs: Tactical Strike

Gameplay

SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs: Tactical Strike puts the player in charge of a four-person special operations squad, requiring close command over their every move. Unlike earlier games in the series, which played as third-person shooters, this title shifts the focus to tactical planning and stealth. The player evaluates each situation and issues orders to the squad, moving them with the PSP’s analog stick, called a skimmer. Before committing to a move, the player can see a preview of where each soldier will go. The viewpoint can switch between different squad members, and the team can be split into two pairs or controlled as individuals.

At the beginning of the campaign, the player picks one of nine special forces teams: the Australian SASR, the German KSK, the British SAS, the French GIGN, the U.S. Navy SEALs, the Spanish UOE, the South Korean 707th Special Missions Battalion, the Italian Col Moschin, or the Dutch KCT. The story stays the same regardless of the team chosen, but each team’s dialogue is recorded by native speakers of their language, with English subtitles provided.

Before starting a mission, the player customizes each soldier’s loadout and accessories. Skill points earned from previous missions—awarded for killing enemies and completing objectives—can be used to upgrade individual attributes. If available, the player also chooses one of two insertion points for the squad.