FIFA Street: Gameplay Review and Features for Soccer Video Game

Those that purchase EA Sports' Season Pass have been privy to three days of FIFA Street before its retail release today. Since it became available, I've put it in an embarrassing amount of time with the game.

I've explored nearly every nook and cranny.

If you're expecting a shallow, repetitive gaming experience then you'll be pleasantly surprised. FIFA Street delivers a verbose and entertaining arcade sports gaming experience.

Here are my views on EA's new urban World Football title.

Features

This is where FIFA Street may surprise you. There is tons of variety in the Hit the Streets mode. This is the equivalent to Exhibition Mode in most games. Within this option, there are five different ways to play a pick-up game.

Tradtional Five on Five, Panna Rules, Futsal, Last Man Standing and Custom Match.

Of these options, Futsal is my favorite, though all are entertaining to play. This mode is a perfect hybrid between a simulation style game and a arcade experience.

It plays like a sim game, indoors, within a smaller playing field. There is a ton of action, but still enough true football elements to keep the hardcore fans from crying foul.

Here is a video of gameplay from a timed match:

Modes like Panna and Last Man Standing feature varied rule sets and smaller goals to add even more variety and arcade action. These game types are especially cool because there is no goalkeeper. 

It makes the action far more frantic and furious.

Check out gameplay from a game played with Panna rules as well:

FIFA Street is all about cool dribble and passing maneuvers. Once you master all of the stick controls, which are similar to traditional FIFA controls, you will be pulling off sick beats with ease.

Most of the game modes reward your trickery. As a matter of fact, in Panna, the tricks you perform go into a bank. If you score a goal, whatever points you've banked from beats and dribble moves is added to your goal total.

There is a risk involved though. If you're trick roll is interrupted by a goal from the opposing team, you lose all that you've banked.

It's just another way to add some variety, and mini-game elements into traditional football.

Other Options

FIFA Street opens the treasure chest even more when you go into World Tour mode. Here, it's all about customization as you dust off your FIFA Virtual Pro from FIFA 12. You can alter his kit, playing style, appearance, etc.

You can level him up by competing in various game types. They range from the options available in Hit the Streets to Freestyle, two v two, three v three, four v four and six v six.

There are tons of possibilities.

You can even play these events online. You can team your Virtual Pro with others from around the globe. It is awesome to play with people internationally. You quickly notice the different playing styles.

World Football offers the largest variety of online opponents and it makes the gaming experience that much better.

Gameplay

FIFA Street runs on FIFA 12's game engine, so it feels a lot like FIFA 12, but with the handcuffs off to allow for the style the game is predicated on. 

You can easily take advantage of the smaller fields, and use the walls and other things in the environment to pull off jaw dropping sequences.

This is the best gameplay yet in the series.

Summary

FIFA Street is not just about tricks and hot dog moves, there is solid gameplay and a treasure chest of options. If you didn't take advantage of Season Pass, and you're still on the fence after reading this, download the demo on PSN or XBOX Live.

If you have a decent interest in World Football, you'll enjoy this title and hardcore fans must own this game.

Score: 8.5 out of 10

For a detailed look at all game modes and rosters for FIFA Street, and other sports video game news, check out franchiseplay.net, shortly after FIFA Street's retail release.

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