* SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic:
** Especially ''SOCOM 3'' and ''Combined Assault''.
** And with ''SOCOM 4'', we get Music/BearMcCreary, so expect lots of appropriate OrchestralBombing.
* BrokenBase: After ''SOCOM 2'', which the fanbase collectively agrees was best ''SOCOM'' game, with the original not far behind in quality, the fanbase splintered in many different directions with the following titles (see ContestedSequel).
* ContestedSequel:
** Averted with ''SOCOM 2'', which received as good or better a reception as ''SOCOM 1'', but the other sequels after this are more polarizing.
** ''SOCOM 3'' (and by extension, ''[[MissionPackSequel Combined Assault]]'') - To multiplayer, Zipper added the ability to swim and modify your weapons, a day/night cycle, vehicles, optional spawn points, and created bigger levels to provide 32-player matches. Fans either embraced the features as welcome additions to the ''SOCOM'' franchise or rejected them as a poor man's ''VideoGame/{{Battlefield}}''. With the single player, however, ''SOCOM 3'' is widely considered the best one.
** ''SOCOM Confrontation'' - An outside developer (Slant Six) basically created a "greatest hits" version of the ''SOCOM'' multiplayer, much like how [[MissionPackSequel ''SOCOM: Combined Assault'']] did for the [=PS2=] games. Same lobby system, same modes, same weapons, same everything, alongside some new maps. [[NostalgiaFilter It's either hailed as a nice throwback to the series]], or [[ItsTheSameNowItSucks ridiculed for its antiquated look and gameplay]]. Lack of campaign mode was a downer for some. Some have blamed it for the death of the franchise, as it's multiplayer had problems for weeks after launch, making getting into games difficult, which some believed soured people on the franchise to the point where they had no urge to pick up the fourth game.
** ''SOCOM 4'' - Zipper finally released a proper sequel to ''SOCOM 3'' onto the [=PS3=] six years after ''SOCOM 3'', though many of the single-player and multiplayer features were altered, alongside the general gunplay and controls. The old multiplayer lobby system was replaced by a matchmaking one, the older non-deathmatch modes were replaced by newer ones, and respawn settings (though still optional) were emphasized more compared to the older games, and campaign mode became more action-oriented than methodical and tactical with the addition of RegeneratingHealth. The fans who don't like the game ''[[TheyChangedItNowItSucks loathe it]]'' for these reasons. The fans who do accept ''SOCOM 4'' generally enjoy it, though with some reluctance because of its questionable design.
* FakeDifficulty: ''SOCOM 3''[='=]s gameplay and maps were not designed for its tactical features at all. The game throws hordes of enemies at you in various points where stealth is not permitted, forcing stealthy players into combat that generally has enemies overwhelming you and your [[ArtificialStupidity braindead A.I squad]] for "difficulty".
* FollowTheLeader: One of the criticisms of ''SOCOM 4'' was the game was trying to be too much like ''VideoGame/GearsOfWar'' with its use of a [[TakeCover cover system]] and RegeneratingHealth.