Straight up we’ll say that NFL Street 2: Unleashed is a good game. However, there is one major condition that needs to be satisfied for any chance of enjoying this game. The player needs to have at least a slight idea of how the game of gridiron is played. Anyone who has no idea is not likely to find much redemption from this game.
NFL Street 2: Unleashed presents a truncated version of the game that replaces a lot of the core elements with a system of “tricks”. Instead of the usual eleven players per team on the field at once, you’re left with a seven-on-seven game with no kicking. Then the game takes further variants with four-on-four games and several other mini-games that are all devolved from the core game.
Street Gridiron, on a field
For the benefit of those who have never been exposed to Gridiron or American Football, the object of the game is to advance the football towards the opposing team's end zone and score points. The ball can be advanced by carrying the ball, throwing it, or a lateral handoff, from one teammate to the other. Points can be scored in a variety of ways, including carrying the ball over the goal line and throwing the ball to another player who is past the goal line. Unlike our most popular ball-contact sports, Gridiron has a much heavier basis on strategy and individual plays, rather than being continuous. You need to advance a certain amount within four plays or else there will be a turnover.
Whilst NFL Street 2: Unleashed is fairly similar to how the real game is played, here there is a higher emphasis on quick, burst plays rather than a slower, much more methodical execution. It probably works a bit better for this game because, in effect, it gives it a fair amount of fuss-free action. Again, players who know what’s going on will get the most out of this experience.
The game starts with a fairly comprehensive tutorial that covers most of the game's facets and nuances. Gridiron novices may come to terms with the game after the tutorial, whereas the entirely uninformed will probably be the main ones left out. After that, the main action occurs through a variation of the career mode found in most sports games, here called “Own the Street”. Through this mode you start at one venue and work your way through minor events and games against lowly-ranked teams in order to proceed to the next venue. Along the way, you control a solitary character that leads your team to street supremacy.
Hardly the time to be playing leap-frog
There are several other modes and a few customisation options. The other game modes are quite comparable to the console version. The mini-games that are available not only work wonders for your skill level but make for quite a bit of fun. The customisation, however, is not as comprehensive as you may like or may be used to in other games.
As for the games of Gridiron, they’re played in a few different ghetto and inner-city-themed areas. You have venues ranging from alleyways to factory sites and baseball fields. Obviously, they’re a fair bit smaller than a normal field and there really aren’t any length markers. Your position is simply identified as short, medium or long.
The objective remains that you need to score touchdowns by carrying the ball into the opposition’s end zone; each is worth six points, with conversions being one or two points. There are variations to the scoring methods in other modes. As previously mentioned, there is no kicking in the game, so you are primarily left with three offensive play options and three defensive ones.
The offense options are run, pass, and trick play. The trick plays are made up of pass and run plays but they try to throw off the opponent through unconventional means. They are definitely the most satisfying plays when they’re pulled off. When the ball is in your hand, that is when you’ll be having the most fun. While not as tactically deep as its proper console counterpart, NFL Street 2: Unleashed has a very good blend of tactics and raw sporting attack that just make the game fun to play.
Play Options
The defensive game is nowhere near as glamorous nor as exciting, as it takes a while before players will be able to fluently defend the opposition in offence. Once players get around the initial learning curve, they’ll be pulling off the big hits in no time. While not as enjoyable as offense, it is certainly an integral part of the game.
Another integral part of the game and the whole “street” concept is the trick system. By holding the L-button, players are able to perform a few tricks like side steps, running up walls and jumping over tackles. The more successful you are at pulling off these tricks, the more points you earn; point-earning also comes from performing your moves and scoring with style. With enough points, you’ll be able to perform a "gamebreaker", a move that allows you to smother the opposition and either immediately regain possession or score with ease.
The game controls quite well. All buttons and commands are adequately responsive and do not hinder the experience. The tricks are simple to pull off once the player is aware of the right occasions to use them. However, movement can be a little frustrating and a bit taxing on the player’s left thumb.
In addition, whilst playing the street games and the other mini-games is a lot of fun, and players will spend most of their time doing so, there are a few errors that hinder the game.
There is simply not enough polish outside the gameplay itself. Menu navigation is painful, and customising options are thin on the ground. EA sports titles have been making a practice of providing the player with numerous options in dressing, accessorising and improving your characters' looks.
The load times are very disappointing as well; they can last up to 40 seconds. Considering how often you’ll be looking at them, it’s not desirable.
When you’re customising a player, there is delay of between three to five seconds before a preview actually comes up. This occurs right throughout the game and is frustrating to the point of stupidity, especially when it comes to simple things such as picking teams. On top of this, the options are nowhere near as robust as console sports titles, and the painful menus will likely cause a lot of apathy to what the game offers outside of football.
This game will drive you up the wall, literally and in many ways
However, things on the graphics end are pretty good. The game is not too far off the PS2 version, though the compromises are a tad obvious. Player models lack detail, while things like ground textures leave a little to be desired. However, the graphics are more than serviceable; there is little slowdown and gameplay is not hindered. The game has an odd artstyle that is really hit-or-miss (though we’d be inclined to lean towards the “miss”). Sound-wise, the game is ordinary. There are a few tunes but they really don’t seem appropriate and the sound effects are merely serviceable. On top of that, there is no voicing.
The game does have a multiplayer mode; players can play wirelessly with up to three other players, but only in a LAN situation. Unfortunately, there is no Internet play, and there is a little bit of slowdown but nothing drastic. Aside from this, the game has an impressive lineup of official NFL players and stats - though any casual follower will have no reason to care about this.
NFL Street 2: Unleashed is at its best when you're just playing. For anyone who knows how to play, there is a lot of fun to be had. There are numerous modes and mini-games that are fun, tactical and stimulating, while the trick system makes up for the depth that isn’t as present as in games like Madden. However, for those who don’t follow NFL, the stats, player and accessorizing will mean absolutely nothing. The fact that the outside game polish is so low, will deter most from enjoying the other features the game has to offer. Despite this, while you’re actually playing, these deterrents are not likely to affect you too much.
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