17-Mar-2005 Never has a game been so misconceived as FIFA Street. Remember when, prior to the 1994 World Cup, our American hosts wanted to introduce quarters, time-outs and bigger goals to make footy more appealing? If you thought that was bad - this is your worst nightmare come true.
The NFL Street and NBA Street games work well because a) the NFL and NBA are ridiculous to begin with, and b) American football and basketball are really boring sports when played to the letter without any reductive 'street' elements. FIFA Street, however, is like the worst parody of football and street culture mashed together, which might be funny if we didn't actually love proper football so much.
Take the commentary, for example. Motty obviously wasn't considered 'hip' enough for today's 'yoof', so instead they've brought in Harvey from gangsta wannabes So Solid Crew to commentate over offensive drum & bass beats. His pearls of wisdom include things like, "Hey, yo 'keeper! You're large", and "Check it out, kids. That's how to catch a ball. Ya get me?" No, Harvey, we don't get you. Not at all.
Fortunately, you can mute both Harvey and his 'choons', but the game's other problems aren't so easy to solve. Playing in such a confined area only highlights the control issues we have with the FIFA series, which you can usually overlook on the bigger pitches. Issues such as the lengthy animations whenever you receive the ball, which make it far too easy for opponents to close down what little space there is.
There's some satisfaction to be had from pulling off the more advanced skill moves, but otherwise this is just wrong. It left us shaking our heads in utter bewilderment. Fans of EA's other Street games will be rightly embarrassed by the sheer awfulness of this faux street culture, while genuine footy fans are better off sticking with Pro Evolution Soccer 4 or even the new UEFA Champions League 2004-2005 game.
PSW Staff
// Overview
Verdict
C'mon people. It was never going to work, was it? The cramped courts only serve to highlight FIFA's flaws. Of which there are many.
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