FIFA STREET IS SHORT
First off, I love a good soccer game. There is no sport known to man that gives the greatest sense of physical and strategic prowess that a good game of soccer (or futbol) brings. Winning Eleven used to be the prime place for a great game of videogame soccer, but this past year FIFA Soccer 08 wowed everyone with excellent graphics, physics and depth.
The same can't be said for arcade soccer games. In fact, the only two games I can really come up with that are decent is Sensible World of Soccer and Mega Man Soccer (yes, you heard that right). This is especially troubling since FIFA Street has been kicking around for a couple of years and, honestly, has done a poor job of bringing an accessible game of style soccer.
The great news (if you want to call it that) is that FIFA Street 3 is the most playable version of the FIFA Street series. Unlike the abhorrations that were the first two games, the animation is smooth and the environments are rich in color and culture. The game has also recieved a gameplay boost in the terms of a well made trick system, which utilizes juggles, swipes, headers and bicycle kicks through volleys.
Every character is well detailed with the style of the game. Also, the iconography of all the players makes it easy to make a decent strategy throughout each match.
That is, if the game has a "strategy". The game is fast paced and trick filled, however, scoring is little more than who can get the bicycle kick, header or gamebreaker out first.
This is due to defense being so basic and rudimentary. The NBA Street series, which is based off nearly the same engine as this game, combines not only great moves to pull on offense, but also some excellent counter strategies to use when you're on defense, making the game even. This is nowhere near as bad as NFL Tour, but the fact that defense is so easy to exploit makes winning matches either painfully easy or feeling very cheap.
This problem is sort of better when going against someone else online or right next to you, but the exploit is still there nonetheless.
Unless you are a huge soccer nut who needs a good game of arcade futbol, a rental will suffice to beat the main mode and do some fun online matches. Otherwise, this game won't keep you thrilled for long. It's a good game and a vast improvement over the last two games, but it should be on par with the NBA Street series, which it unfortunately isn't. This series has quite a way to go.