Tactical Strike features soldiers from all over the world. What are some of the squadrons you can play as?
We are excited to bring international Special Forces to the SOCOM franchise. We came up with a list of Special Forces we felt would fit well with the story and style of SOCOM Tactical Strike. This was certainly not an easy decision, as just like the U.S., there are many Special Forces to choose from. As we finalized the list, these are the groups that rose to the top:

• U.S. Navy SEALs (Sea, Air and Land)
• British SAS (Special Air Service)
• Australian SASR (Special Air Service Regiment)
• French GIGN (Groupement d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale)
• Italian COMSUBIM (Commando Raggruppamento Subacquei ed Incursori Teseo Tesei)
• Spanish UOE (Unidad de Operaciones Especiales)
• German KSK (Kommando Spezialkrafte)
• Netherlands KCT (Korps Commandotroepen)
• South Korean 707th (707th Special Missions Battalion)

Is there any better way to explain how a SOCOM game works than throwing games journalists into a battle scenario? That's exactly what Sony did at its recent Media Day event. Various journalists were given gear, a crash course on military tactics, and thrown into a simulated gunfight against real NAVY SEALs. We talked to a few journalists that attended the event to learn about what they experienced, and how it affected their view of SOCOM: Tactical Strike.

"Attending the recent SCEA Media event was (initially) rather horrifying for me, since finding out that a pack of game journalists would be training alongside actual Navy SEALs is quite possibly the most surreal discovery imaginable. However, much to my surprise, Navy SEALs can be extremely considerate and understanding, and we had a great time. Participating in an Airsoft course under the supervision of a SEAL was an experience to remember, and I sincerely enjoyed being scolded at for loading the magazine of my weapon too early. Honestly, how many non-military personnel can say that they've been cursed out by a drill sergeant? I can. And it was rad."
Ryan Clements, IGN PSP

"The whole experience at Redlands was amazing! Sony, the Navy SEALs, and Slant Six did an excellent job of getting the journalists into the game in more ways I could have ever imagined. By participating in the scenarios where we had to suit up and act like an actual SEALs unit, we had a better understanding of the importance of team play and the direction the game was heading into. We also found out that journalists aren't soldiers and getting shot at is scary!"
Mark Julio, High-Score Online

SOCOM: Tactical Strike is shaping up to be one of the most exciting games on the PSP. Developer Slant Six has created a unique game that looks and plays unlike anything else on the platform. We caught up with David Seymore from Slant Six to talk about Tactical Strike and developing for the PSP.

This is a drastic departure for the SOCOM franchise. Where did the notion for a more tactical SOCOM game come from?
Seth Luisi, Director of Development for the SOCOM Franchise, came to us with the idea of taking SOCOM in a new direction specifically for PSP. The natural path to fit a traditionally action-focused franchise to the PSP in a unique new way was to make a tactics game, increasing the focus on strategy and decreasing the focus on dexterity. The more that we dove into pre-production, the more it because clear that we could make a really compelling experience on the PSP.

If I remember correctly, this game has been in development for a long time. How long has it been since work began?
Tactical Strike first began pre-production in the fall of 2005. In a game that is very interface-heavy and has a deep command set, it is critical to take the time needed to make the software highly playable. We are very happy that Sony gave Tactical Strike the time needed to come together, and we think that gamers are going to be happy with the result.

Yes, the video you're seeing above is running on a PSP. Not a PS2. Not a Wii. But a PSP. The dense foliage, the beautiful rays of light shimmering down to the ground, the individual blades of grass ... this is all real, and all on the handheld. Look at the fog in the background: this isn't the muddy in-your-face fog from the N64 era. Look how you can see through it, just as you would real fog. This is one beautiful game.

But don't just stare at the graphics. Look at the enemy and partner AI. Watch for the commands system, and the intelligent way you move around the environment. Once you're done being wowed by this video, note that you have another incredible experience waiting for you, after the break.

We have two new videos of SOCOM: Tactical Strike for your viewing pleasure today. First, you can see the SEALs going through a village, trying to keep civilian casualties to a minimum. After the cut, see Tactical Strike's awesome night vision mode in action.

Come back tomorrow where we'll have two more videos to share.

After getting our hands on a updated build of SOCOM: Tactical Strike, we can confidently say that this has the potential to be the best SOCOM game yet. Unlike the previous Fireteam Bravo games on the system, Tactical Strike dares to take the franchise in a brand new direction. By focusing on the tactical and strategic elements of being a NAVY SEAL, Tactical Strike has crafted an experience unlike any other -- Tactical Strike contains both an incredible amount of depth while also being ideally suited for PSP's limited controls.

Because Tactical Strike is such a radical departure from the previous SOCOM games, it takes some time to get used to the controls and concept of the game. Yes, you'll still be killing terrorists and bad guys -- but how you do it will be completely different. Instead of having direct control over a SEAL, you'll act as a commander, dictating orders and commands to your squad. There are four members of your squad, grouped into two smaller squads: Able and Bravo element.

The entire squadron can be commanded as one unit. Using the analog nub, players will be able to command the squad where to move and whether or not to move there stealthily. A ghost system will indicate how the squad will be positioned when they arrive at the specified point: it's an incredibly helpful system that allows you to take advantage of cover efficiently and even set up a man to fire from a corner. You can command your soldiers to simply wait, target a specific enemy, or stay on the lookout for targets.