It is hard to quantify how important the SOCOM series has been for the PlayStation brand, particularly in relation to the PlayStation 2's online capabilities. Although others had ventured beyond the realms of a single console into internet play before it (most notably Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3), with its multiplayer battles SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs was the first to really set the benchmark for any that followed it, despite the abundance of cheating players. After four years and two further sequels we arrive at SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs Combined Assault, almost definitely the last in the series to appear on Sony's last-generation platform. As a farewell we get nothing close to the progressive steps realised in earlier iterations, but a title that gives more of the same, and just perhaps is beginning to show its age.
