FIFA Street

FIFA Street
Platform:	PS3, X360
Developer:	EA Canada
Publisher:	EA Sports
Total score:	15 out of 10 stars
- HEX:	7
- BAJO:	8

DARREN

The last FIFA Street was released in 2008 but this is an entirely new game using the FIFA 12 engine. It’s more of a simulator than the previous titles... but the aim is still to beat your opponents with cool moves, scoring goals with panache.

HEX

At first the game doesn’t look quite as good FIFA 12...the character models lack detail and the animation feels a little off. But once you’ve adjusted to its urban style everything does seem to fit quite well.

BAJO

Any spawnling familiar with the control system of FIFA will find this easy to pickup and play. Most of the street moves are mapped to the right stick and it’s quite easy to pull off the basic ones. But if you get a move wrong you have to wait until the animation stops before your player attempts another move. This lag can be really frustrating.

DARREN

In the “Hit The Streets” freeplay mode you can choose from different game types like 5 on 5, panna, Last Man Standing and futsal…Or if you wish, customize your own match.

BAJO

My favourite is Panna... it’s where you collect points by tricking the ball through your opponents legs or kicking the ball over their heads. And once you score a goal all those points can be banked. It brings something quite refreshing to the game of soccer.

HEX

I agree Baj and I like how the game gives you different choices for courts which can also influence your playing style. In the bigger venues you have more space to do your tricks and pass whilst on the small courts it’s just pure mayhem.

BAJO

It’s a plus that the venues look stunning and the sound design really adds to the street atmosphere. The soundtrack itself is pumping with lots of urban beats and world music. Your players also call out in their national language which great.

DARREN

I do have to warn the spawnlings that this is a game in which you have to progressively unlock things...and this is where the career mode comes in. You build a player and a team and take them through various tournaments around the world. Depending on how well you do you will be unlocking new venues, different moves for your players and lots of gear.

BAJO

I think this is where FIFA street hits its stride. It probably has one of the best career modes I’ve played in a sports game. Whilst levelling up your own players you can also poach pro players from the teams you play against. Although you’re essentially grinding like in an RPG, it’s a lot of fun.

HEX

Baj, I think overall the career mode is great but the difficulty level can be a bit hit and miss. I can unlock silver tournaments quite easily but once it gets to GOLD it feels like the AI knows exactly where I’m passing and knows what tricks to use to get past me.

BAJO

Yeah ,and it doesn’t help that defending is actually really hard. If you get a tackle wrong, your player just lurches to the side and always gets beaten and the FIFA 12 collision system makes for some really derpy moments.

DARREN

For those unfamiliar with the world of street soccer, the game also provides a few tutorial videos and a one on one practice mode. Both are completely lacklustre...hmmmpff....With any reboot you’d expect a full tutorial system but here you have to go to the game manual and memorise the moves....it's not good.

HEX

Agreed Darren, it’ll probably mean beginners will get frustrated really easily. I was also quite disappointed in the online mode. You can’t play with any of the professional teams and the game types are restricted to 5 or 6 a-side and futsal. So if you’re thinking of getting the game just for online play this is probably not for you.

BAJO

But they do allow you to play online during the career tournaments which keeps the game interesting long after you’ve unlocked everything which I think is a big plus but let’s wrap this up...

HEX

I'm giving this one 7 rubber chickens.

BAJO

I liked it, it’s great for those who think normal FIFA is just a bit too slow and boring....so 8 from me.

DARREN

Did you know I’m training someone up to be the next big street soccer star?

BAJO

Really Darren? I thought last time you were training someone to be a wallaby?

DARREN

Well it turns out he wasn’t that flash at rugby, but I thought I’d send him along to learn some street soccer skills from one of Australia’s best players, D10...who is also featured in the game...

All three look into the camera...

HEX

uh wait...who is this person you’re training?

DARREN

It’s Goose...

HEX

Oh....