What's more fun than playing a handheld console game online with fifteen other people? How about playing a handheld console game online with fifteen other people and a headset? In late 2005, Zipper Interactive gave us SOCOM : Fireteam Bravo, the first and only game for PSP to utilize an actual headphone/microphone combo headset to actually communicate with your friends during infrastructure gameplay. Those who enjoyed the game have been eagerly awaiting another PSP release capable of using that same PSP brand headset. Well the time has come, but we'll be seeing it in the form of a sequel. SOCOM : Fireteam Bravo 2 for PSP ships early next month, so dust off those microphones, and get ready for all new maps, weapons, and some smoother gameplay to boot!

Not only has the SOCOM franchise brought a voice to the PSP online world, but it's also become widely known as the first shooter game to actually prove the PSP's ability to be that handheld online gaming system we've all hoped it could be from day one! The "lock-on" feature that made the first release more than playable on the PSP interface will return. For those of you who missed the first release, you might think that the "lock-on" method of attack would be a little too easy, and a system that doesn't allow the kind of competition we all know and love online, but it works, and it sure is a good time! There's a whole lot more to playing the game than just locking on and firing the gun. Stance, movement, distance, and timing play into this feature more than anything. Just because you've locked onto your opponent without being seen doesn't guarantee a victory, and different guns still require different skills. Also, with an updated arsenal of over forty weapons, even the most faithful SOCOM players will have a bit to learn.

Get your buddies together and get ready to play those same 16 player ad-hoc or infrastructure games on eight brand new multiplayer maps and four maps ported from the first game that have been enhanced for the sequel. There will be a few more ways to play including more advanced clan matches, tournaments and new gametype called "Tug of War." In Tug of War, you'll be challenged with the task of gaining and keeping control of certain areas on a given map, somewhat like the Territories gametype in Halo 2. Getting players together for those clan matches will be a little easier than before with the added instant messenger system allowing you to toss out a few verbal invitations before a game is started.

Though the SOCOM franchise if famed for it's online play, there's still more to this puppy than just that. There are fourteen missions that should keep you more than occupied during those times when a friend or Wi-Fi hotpoint are not in the immediate vicinity, and Fireteam Bravo 2 is promising a more advanced singleplayer gameplay the the original. The game's AI will actually react more realistically based on the weapons in their possession. If an enemy has a sniper, they'll actually hang back and try to pick you off. With a shotgun in tote, they'll do their best to move in for the quick kill. They'll also react to their environments which is something that was almost nonexistent in the past. Hiding behind walls, and sneaking up rather than running and gunning all the way to their grave, the enemy AI will make for a more challenging opponent than those we remember.

Another interesting tidbit is that in Fireteam Bravo 2, when in need, you'll be able to call in air strikes to help clear out a certain area. Need supplies? Don't worry! Call out for help. You'll have the ability to request supply drops to keep you on your feet and playing. These supply drops and air strikes will more than likely be based off of your player's experience points. These points will be gained in various ways through missions and can also be used to purchase new weapons through the black market!

If you own the PS2 version of the game, you can use the PSP to strategically get you through some of the more complicated missions. Challenges like killing all of the enemies in one area within a certain time limit will gain you the ability to hook up to the PS2 and play through that same area without the enemies you took out on the PSP version. If done right, this could be a pretty interesting way to complete missions on both the PS2 and PSP versions of Fireteam Bravo 2.

If you're looking for a reason to pull that PSP out of the closet next month, SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 2 might just be that reason. With or without wireless internet access, this game, with it's new content and carried over "playable" control scheme should make for a pretty good time on Sony's handheld.