Fourth 'FIFA Street' Game Breaks from Its Past

Association football is a popular sport, and "FIFA 12" a popular game. Such was the core of the message offered by Andrew Wilson, head of EA Sports, at the company's Winter Preview Event recently. Along with the two other professed pillars - investment in gameplay and authenticity to the sport - it is social connectivity that made 2011 a standout year for the franchise.

A year that saw nearly half a million people put their fervor on show by replaying Manchester United's humbling 6-1 defeat against their local (and still top of the table) rivals in blue: Manchester City. The total number played for these challenge missions - which, as in the case above, give fans a chance to rewind and reshape sporting history - is 32 million.

EA Sport's interview with Wilson goes on: "In the days after the FIFA launch we announced that we had set a record for the busiest day of online gaming in EA Sports history. (S)ince then we've broken that record a half dozen times."

We gaming journalists weren't standing around a crowded San Francisco bar to hear about "FIFA 12." Thriving its online community may be, but the game's already out - we've had our fair share. "NFL Blitz," "SSX" and "FIFA Street" were the new kids on the block. There were some amazing pumpkin muffins going around, too.

But presently, more about "FIFA Street." The first thing you'll notice is the game's title (without the "4"). That's a more than nominal decision, as EA is bouncing the ball off the wall of its own runaway success with "FIFA 12." The EA Sports BIG label is out, as is the caricatural art direction and supernatural acceleration of prior "Street" games. The presentation has matured decidedly, offering players a collection of photography centered on global football-culture.

As for gameplay, we're graced with "FIFA 12's" engine (Player Impact included) with twice the tricks (over 50) and a wealth of options for custom games.

Part of what makes "FIFA Street" exude promise (though the build I got my hands on was only around the 70-75 percent completion mark) is the believability of it all. Yeah, Benzema was bored on a slow week, shot Iniesta a text, who went on to rally the boys of Barca, and here we all are at the local turf, ready to get our game on.

That feeling comes on before you even kick the ball, and it's added to by the fact that official attire stays home. Your players sport something closer to what they wear on the training grounds. Customization is big. You can play your standard 5-a-side, Panna Rules (where tricks and nutmegs add to the worth of goals), Futsal (indoor, no walls, heavier ball), Last Man Standing (goal scorers leave the field until one team, victorious, has none), and Custom Match.

All this in over 35 locales of varying size. If you play on an extra large court with the venue-recommended six players and no walls, you have what feels like an up close and personal "FIFA 12" experience. The camera comes in much closer, making the benefits of the Player Impact Engine all the more apparent. One thorn in the experience is the sluggish feel of the "tackle" command. If you don't time this thing right, your defender will be left for dead before you even regain control. Not only that, but there's no second, more vicious tackling option to be had. Fair play is somewhat imposed.

But there's more good than bad here. Collisions between players are never twice the same, and neither are the plays at large - dynamic ball physics and no offside rule make for a lot of variety. Wish for a second chance at a certain combination of elements all you want, but it might not present itself again. Even if you do get it, precision on shooting is very granular - a gaping net doesn't always put you one up if you don't get it right.

As for the deep catalog of tricks and the "World Tour" feature, which allows your local squad to go rags to riches in 16 different tournaments . . . more time with the game is needed for a report. "FIFA Street" is looking good, and I fancy its chances to provide an experience more flexible than "FIFA 12" itself. But just as Messi will sometimes miss that one-on-one with the keeper, "FIFA Street" still has to deliver polish and a red bow come March 2012.

Video Games: Fourth 'FIFA Street' Game Breaks from Its Past