..FIFA Street 2012..

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It's rare that a genre-specific video game breaks through that genre and appeals to gamers of all backgrounds, but FIFA has built a reputation for doing just that. With superb graphics, smart gameplay, and tons of bragging-rights-keyed action FIFA has turned many a gamer into a closeted soccer (or futbol) fanatic. Several years ago, the gaming community addressed the burgeoning market of street sports with NFL and MLB-inspired "street" versions of their most popular sports games, including a little title called FIFA Street.

It seems as though EA, the makers of the game, have decided that the arcade feel of their Street game should be downplayed, and the true-to-life action of street soccer should be allowed to shine through. In the past, versions of these games were treated like a comic aside to the "real" sports simulations, but not anymore. FIFA Street 2012 isn't trying to make you laugh or assume that you're playing it to get away from a conventional soccer experience; instead, EA is bringing the gamer to the outdoor settings where the game is played by millions.

In other words, this isn't your dad's street soccer; instead, what gamers will find in FIFA Street 2012 is an intelligent, true-to-life soccer experience that is set to enhance the overall understanding of the nuances of modern soccer. Not what we see on TV mind you, but what you see in the streets of Europe and South America and the parks of North America. Gone are the gaudy special effects; here now gamers will experience a game that focuses more on the fast-paced one-on-one action that the street game has become, where players attack with more flair, not unlike Rucker Park street basketball.

FIFA Street's control scheme is very similar to the game's cousin FIFA12, with the right stick utilized to pull off various tricks and moves; the trick system is really intuitive and doesn't take long for even a novice player to pick up. The environments also have an effect on the game, as players will be able to contend with walls and fences as parts of the game, not just background scenery. Imagine making a move where the player bounces the ball off of the surrounding wall in order to get past a defender, and you'll start to get an idea of how the environment plays an important role in the game. 

There will be several modes of play in this new rendition, from one-on-one to six-on-six matches with real soccer stars to pick and choose from, and locations from all over the world. In closing, it seems that EA is working on making an excellent companion to one of the best sports games in the world, so once you're done winning the World Cup, you can take those same skills directly to the people in FIFA Street 2012.

Dante' R. Maddox

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