FIFA Street is another one of those titles that is critically panned and then goes on to sell a heck of a lot of copies. EA just hasn't nailed the street component of football, but this hasn't stopped them for trying a third time with FIFA Street 3. We recently had a chance to go hands on with the game, so it is a case of third time lucky or is this a title that is definitely best left on the streets? The most noticable change to FIFA Street is the look; rather than go for a serious look EA has redesigned the graphics so that the players look more like cartoon characters, rather than serious players. Environments in FIFA Street 3 are still realistic, but seeing players like Ronaldinho in cartoon form is quite the novelty.
FIFA Street 3 looks very different alright.
FIFA Street 3 utilises the NBA Street Homecourt engine and runs at a smooth 60 frames per second, a feat the previous two titles in the series weren't able to do. The game has always been about speed, but this time the game feels fast. The gamebreakers have also been overhauled, for the better. Filling a meter in FIFA Street 3 will result in a gamebreaker, but rather than the gamebreaker literally being what its namesake suggests, gamebreakers aren't the end of the game. It is actually possible to stop players on the offense this time around and even if they score a goal, it counts as one goal, which is a change that is enough to get us excited about the final title. Even though offense has been overhauled, the defensive game seems rather similar. A circular kick and a non aggressive tackle are about all players can do defensively, which is a little disappointing.
FIFA Street 3's main mode will be the FIFA Street Challenge. In the FIFA Street Challenge you will be in with a team of semi-decent players and take on all manner of different teams, trying to improve your reputation. FIFA Street 3 will also feature some online play. The World Challenge mode will keep count of each nation's wins and losses and create a ladder based on these results.
Guess the player...
FIFA Street 3 looks like a massive improvement upon its predecessors. EA know FIFA Street 3 will sell with or without positive critical opinion, but the improvements to the game appear to have resulted in a speedier and more flowing experience. Whether or not FIFA Street 3 will hold our attention upon our release remains to be seen, but so far the signs are very good for the game.