Link
"Then there's the online mode, which has been absolutely reworked to provide an experience like no other. New, larger levels, manned artillery guns , 2 new game modes, Breach and Escort have been added, a spectator mode so that you can watch your clan battle even if you weren't included in the final roster for that game, as well as voice chat in the lobby of a game. And unbelievably, these are just the beginning of the improvements. True community support is the real focus here, and it's immediately evident by the sight of online ranking ladders, Friends lists' to help find your clanmates instantly and Ignore lists for people you can't stand and security measures to prevent cheating from occurring. One more thing we can confirm however, is that this is all going to be available to you for free. No monthly charges, aren't Sony/Zipper just the best??!! "
About that retailer info, some shops got the info sheet, so here's what it can answer...
-32 players per game(I can dream)
-->Nope. Still 16.
-a limited number of respawns(at least 3)
-->Dunno, but doubt it considering the way they're tethered to realism despite the gameplay advantages for having that toggle. Maybe they'll break their rules -- I'm not sure if it's a Navy edict to not make light of death with respawns in a realistic sim, so maybe, maybe not.
-Capture the Flag mode
-->There's 5 online mission modes altogether, including the old ones. So, you have Breach and Escort, then three from the first game, (deathmatch, hostage, and bomb.) Seems like a 'no'.
-Online co-op missions
-->Dunno, but doesn't look like it... (see below.)
-At least 2 players or more online per console(just like Tribes: AA)
-->Sucks, but no -- it's single-player for the main game, and there's no mention of co-op features, so I doubt it.
-Vehicles
-->No say, but the info sheet was desperate for itemizeable details (if you've seen a fact sheet, you know what I mean: it's all about things you can quantitize, so saying "30 levels!" is better than saying "Great gameplay!"). Since this is probably the expansion pack now made to be the sequel (albeit a nicely robust expansion pack), there's not a ton of marketable differences. So, if vehicles were in, they likely would have said.
...Oh, and one big thing they missed -- air strikes. In online modes, you can call in air strikes. Dangerous, very dangerous.
Quick SOCOM 2 article/Q & A sum up.
-Larger Levels some set in Albania, Brazil, Algeria, and Russia
-Better Graphics
-Online Ranking Ladders
-Buddy/Ignore Lists
-Progressive Scan supported
-Spectator Mode
-Voice Chat in game lobbies
-Better security to prevent cheaters/glitchers/codebreaking
-Socom servers will still be up and running with Socom 2 getting it's own improved servers.
-Artillery implacements
-Landmines that can be deactivated if found before stepped on.
-Two new online game modes BREACH and ESCORT
"Escort involves the SEALs starting with a group of VIPs, and having to escort them to an extraction point; however, the Terrorists’ sole goal is simply to eliminate the VIPs. The SEALs can just let the timer run out to win and concentrate on defending the VIPs, or they can try to get them out of there.
Breach is the real sweet new mode in my opinion however. It's a game where Terrorists have a fortress and the SEALS have to plant a bomb inside the fortress and destroy it. But they also have to blow up certain walls and hidden passages as well, which makes life rather difficult, as your team needs to split up and perform various objectives before the mission can be won completely."
-20+ online levels with the original levels being reworked.
-Release date Nov 2003(hopefully this is solid)
-And best of all it is still FREE
SOCOM 2 Info + Screens
Linear Mode
