SOCOM: FIRETEAM BRAVO -- Control Issues.

So how did Zipper Interactive fit SOCOM on to the PlayStation Portable when it's missing a second analog stick and some extra buttons? The answer is they did a pretty good job of it. The analog stick moves the character forwards and backwards. It also rotates the character to the left and right. If you hold the L button and use the analog stick you can strafe to the left and right. If you tap the D-pad to the right you'll enter free look mode.  You can move the cursor around freely to manually aim. Holding the L button down while in free look mode allows you to move the character. Hitting the triangle button allows for you to cycle between standing, crouched, and prone positions. Hitting the circle button allows you to access the command menu where you can enter specific commands like cover target and fire at will. Holding the circle button while a context sensitive icon is on screen will issue the specific command shown. These appear in key instances to help you not have to fiddle with the command menu. The X button is the action button. It fires the selected weapon, throws grenades, or any other action. Holding the triangle button will automatically switch between grenades and the primary weapon.  The square button is for context sensitive commands like climbing, entering through windows, having an escortee hold position or follow, and the like. You reload with the combination of left on the D-pad and the square button. Hitting up on the D-pad enters the scoped views. Down on the D-pad returns you through the scoped views to the standard view.  To change the rate of fire, the combination of left on the D-pad and the triangle button is used. Since there isn't a second analog stick on the PSP, you won't be running and gunning in the same way that you're able to in the PS2 series. You press and hold the R button to target an enemy. While holding the R button, hitting the L button cycles through the targets. You can actually run and gun this way with the single stick. Holding the R button on a target allows you to move and fire. The free look mode and the scopes allow for traditionally controlled sniping and precise shooting. In the normal view you'll be able to see enemies on the play field from a distance greater than your lock on range. You'll get an enemy out of range message. You can switch to free look and snipe them. Or you can move closer for the auto aiming lock on. Certain factors come into play in determining your accuracy with auto aiming. Your stance is one thing you'll have to consider. Standing is less accurate than crouched, and crouched is less accurate than prone. Movement comes into consideration as well. If you're not moving, you're more likely to hit them. Distance is also a factor. If you can get close enough, and remain undetected, and fire from a prone stationary position, you're essentially assured a single shot kill. If you're in full run from a great distance, you're pretty much assured to miss more than a few times and it will take a considerable amount of hits to drop the enemy. This mechanic has the tendency to slow the game down in comparison to its console counterparts. It makes it play with stealth more of a factor.  That's not to say that the game doesn't have its moments of intense action, it surely does. I am through 79% of the single player campaign. The learning curve of the controls makes it really easy to get into the game and to truly get going. I feel the controls are a great success.