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It’s big, it’s bold and it’s badder than ever…….NFL Street is back for its second outing in a neighbourhood near you. That’s right sport fans, forget the pads and official jerseys and instead put on those rip jeans and sweatshirts to have a no holds barred, trash talking contest of American Football. Of course, if you’re American, than it’s just football to you but considering where I come from, football means kicking a round ball and not throwing or running an oval ball.
Gameplay:
Now I’m not going to explain the principles of the game because if you don’t know what it is, than you’re not going to want to play this game, so, on the assumption that you know what NFL is, I shall continue. The game comes complete with mini-games, career and a few quick play modes for starters with a host of options to tweak to your delight as well as numerous features to unlock but the biggest improvement over the original is the all new system of “wall moves”. Of course the walls were part of the original game-play but this time you can use them to gain specific advantages and bonuses throughout NFL Street 2. You’re able to run up walls during a play to launch a pass or perhaps you need to gain that extra height to receive, than there are those bone crunching tackles that need to be avoided unless you like hospital food. Using the walls to your advantage will take time to learn, but once you have done that, oh boy you will be devastating. Also new to the game are “HotSpots”, these areas are scattered along the walls in the form of posters and when a play is made against them, you get added bonuses. All of the other features from the original still exist such as over the top moves, trick plays and showboating.
Onto the main features, as a solo gamer you can compete in two modes. “Own the City”, you create a character where you compete in several games and challenges to earn points which are than used to improve and customize your character. The other mode is “NFL Challenge” where you have 150 days to build up a team of nobodies into somebody’s by completing the many challenges so you can upgrade your seven squad members into a competent squad who at the end of the 150 days must take on a squad of Legends. The challenges range from the easy to the impossible unless of course you have managed to master every move shown to you in the tutorials.
The one main feature that has been left out from the European versions is the inclusion of LIVE, Why? Who knows, maybe EA believe that only the Americans would enjoy this game.
Graphics:
Everything is bigger – the players, the moves and especially the replays making this truly an arcade type of game rather than a sports simulation. The attention to detail is impressive but you don’t really get to appreciate it due to most of the game is played from a high camera view but you can always replay the moves and zoom in. Not being a huge fan of any individual players in the NFL means I can’t really comment on whether the faces of the players are spot on but have been told they are fairly close.
The arenas have been illustrated well, with some neat touches to each individual setting. The best quality is the animation; it is fast and smooth making the game run at a fast and often frantic pace.
Sound:
Once again you have a bunch of hip hop and rock tunes playing in the background which works well within the game. There is the occasional chatter from the players but this is mainly found in the replays. The only other sound you will hear is the bone crunching tackles but what else do you expect from a sports title? Thankfully, there is no running commentary.
Longevity:
It’s a sports title, its arcade and not simulation play. In fact the game will last as long as you have enough friends to keep playing against but with the exclusion of LIVE, this game would have had a longer lifespan.
Round Up:
If you own the first NFL Street, than rent this newer version out first because the subtle changes might not be enough for you to go out and buy it. The LIVE has been removed for European release which in my opinion would have been the only reason to go out and buy this. Overall, the game is very fast and fun
Pros:
- Customize your players
- No rules football (barely)
- Off the Wall plays.
Cons:
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