When the job's too dangerous for the ordinary rozzers and the army is too busy capturing distant oilfields, there's only one team to turn to... no, not the A-Team, but Special Weapons And Tactics, the guys whose mere presence means that something has officially gone 'Horribly Wrong'.

After a bog-standard bank heist unearths the presence of a British super-villain and an international drug-smuggling ring, this US elite force gets a licence to go global, thanks to a network of peace-loving, SWAT-friendly authorities in countries such as Russia, the UK and, of all places, France.

Bringing justice to nations that don't have enough of their own can be a noisy affair and this rock-hard FPS ain't for shy boys. If you own a USB headset, you can issue orders to your teammates by shouting commands into the microphone. Speaking from experience, it's likely you'll appear to be a complete fool when you're within earshot of your household, but the immersive nature of the game is such that you'll soon be yelling things like, "TAC-3, lock on! Secure!" at your TV, like a deranged Andy McNab with a heads-free kit.

Without the headset, working through a level involves navigating a few simple menus in order to get your teammates pulling together. But fully miked-up, it's all about barking orders in as steady a voice as possible, so the PS2 doesn't make any unfortunate mistakes with your carefully considered commands.

Shouting "Police!" or, for your neighbour's sake, pressing the Square button, issues a standard warning that, with any luck, will make suspects drop their weapon and raise their hands. If they fail to comply then you're free to blow their asses away, but be warned: capping people before they've been given adequate warning results in a black mark against your name for 'unauthorised force' and a reduced grade at the end of the level.

The vocal aspect of SWAT means everybody withint earshot is going to have an opinion on whether you're a good, honest cop or one of those bad apples no police TV show could do without. And like the grizzled old commander back at the station house, only your PS2 will have the final word as to whether you're overstepping the line to get results.

Play it good or bad, the choice is yours. And with the excellent headset support, a selection of two-player co-op levels, four-player deathmatches and a satisfyingly replayable solo mode, you've got a game that manages to earn its badge, even alongside the likes of Freedom Fighters and SOCOM. Well worth a short.

Graphics 70%
SWAT would be proud of its hard-hitting visual force.

Sound 80%
Very rousing Sir, yes sir!

Gameplay 80%
Kicking ass and taking names.

Lifespan 80%
Lasts longer than a real SWAT operation.

Overall 80%
If you're after a rumble in the name of Peace, Justice and the American Way, this is your best best. Great stuff!