There is a fine line
between those who play for the sake of the game and those who dream about being
nothing more than rich superstars. Those who play on the black asphalt show
intensity rarely seen and Street Hoops wishes to capture this style of
basketball in all its glory.
Gamers take the game to
the streets in five playing modes that showcase a bend-the-rules style of
playing that is wholly universal. The main mode is World Tournament that takes
a player through a number of games throughout the US as well as exotic locales
such as Athens’ Acropolis Park and London’s very own Queen’s Park. In Lord of
the Court, you defend your turf against any team that challenges you. And the
Full and Half Court Pick-Up modes allow you to select your team and park to pit
opponents in one-on-one to three-on-three games.
The controls are simple
and to the point and since the rules are interestingly altered to match the
rules set by the street, the game allows players to get away with such things as
slapping a ball away from another player or even pushing him. Technical fouls
are also cast aside; making for a game that hardly breaks to catch its breath.
Yet this is also where the game fails. Not only can you easily trick players
using repetitive moves but the opponent AI is set on only attempting to make
slam dunks rather than intelligently attempting to thwart your attempt to score.
In other words, where is the defense?
To make matters worse, the
graphics are also unappealing to the eye. Sadly you can see how the game’s
graphics could have been something else. The basketball players do move
wonderfully and their movements are so life-like that you can’t help but admire
it, but other then that the player up close looks unreal. Thankfully the parks
are a better sight than the players with all the genuine details that you would
find in a court.
The sound is also
something the game does right and the game is filled with all sorts of
background noises that range from admirers cheering to passing planes overhead.
You can also hear other players taunt you or praise themselves for having
“slammed one in your face.” And the soundtrack is filled with hip-hop tunes
from DMX to Xzibit, which does manage to immerse the player in the right
atmosphere.
Of course, no basketball
game is complete without a good multiplayer option and this is where the game
shows its true colors. Eight players, using the Multitap, can be on the screen
at once in any of the game’s playing modes. Imagine teaming up with four
friends to go up against four other friends in a full court in a game where the
rules have gone bye-bye. Enticing, isn’t it?
However, after all is said
and done, nothing is more disappointing than knowing that a game like Street
Hoops could have been much better . . . or more fun, for that matter. All the
right elements are here and are not put to full use, but there are a few things
to like . . . such as the multiplayer mode and all those courts and players.
Unfortunately, this isn’t enough to satisfy sports fans.
|
#Reviewer’s |
Gameplay: 6.8
The game’s weakness lies in the
controls that–while easy to learn–can seem so irritating clunky when trying to
defend yourself. Blocking shots, for instance, is easy but on occasion gamers
might experience a momentary delay after having pressed the button. The result
is getting dunked on, of course.
There is also
gambling–which I am sure will raise eyebrows from concerned parents thinking
their child will pick up the habit–and a number of ways to alter your player’s
appearance in the many stores available such as the local FootAction store or
even the Barbershop. Of course, you have to win games to win money or else you
couldn’t be able to buy that gold chain to go with your Snoop Dog t-shirt.
Graphics: 6.9
The graphics are also one of the
game’s many weaknesses and sadly they are sometimes too hard to ignore. It’s
not so much as the courts and their surroundings–the backgrounds are done
rather nicely with awe-struck spectators watching in the wings and passing
traffic across the street.
It’s the players that
don’t look quite right and that is shameful considering that many of the players
are well-known street players like AO and Hot Sauce. They move with such
realistic grace that gamers will be amazed and their outfits look great since
they come from actual clothing designers, but their expressions never change and
you can’t help but be disappointed by the jagged edges found throughout their
bodies.
Sound: 7.8
The game makes full use of Dolby
Surround and those fortunate gamers that have hooked up their consoles to a
decent sound receiver will be amazed by the quality of the sound all around. An
interesting hip-hop soundtrack plays throughout the game and you can change it
at any point in the game. It features such artists as Cypress Hill or Master P.
And the atmosphere
overwhelms the senses with chattering from spectators, squeaking sneakers and
the unflattering trash talk. You can hear everything from vehicles driving past
and honking their horns to the sounds of some really impressed ladies in
attendance. And there is an announcer, but thankfully he keeps his clichéd
comments towards the end.
Difficulty: Easy
The problem with Street Hoops is
that there is no real challenge no matter what difficulty setting you choose
(Scrub, Balla or G.O.A.T.). The fault is in the opponent AI that relies heavily
on attempting a slam-dunk every time they are in possession of the ball. All a
player really has to do is have defender lounge by the basket until said
opponent goes in for a slam-dunk and block the shot. And they almost always get
the ball knocked out of their hands.
For some reason, the
one-on-one game proves to present a much broader challenge that does a
three-on-three half quart game. In fact, playing a one-on-one game will give
you an indication that this game could have been something completely better if
they kept the game with this type of intensity.
Concept: 7.8
Being able to play in street courts
all over the world is a rather appealing idea and this game takes you all over
the United States from the streets of New York to French Lick, Indiana. There’s
a create-a-player option too but it is really not worth mentioning since it
lacks a better assortment of details to add to your created player.
Adding gambling to the mix
does spice things up a little and gives the gamer the proper amount of
motivation to win since you can bet a large amount . . . and once a bet is place
you can’t take it back. You can also go to the store and purchase new gear with
your winnings or get a tattoo or a new haircut or jewelry. You’ll be spending a
long time deciding which jersey goes with your new gold chain.
Multiplayer: 8.0
Thanks to the Multitap–really a
great PS2 accessory to own if you love playing in groups–up to eight players
can team up in pairs of four and play any of the five playing modes . . . at the
same time! It is interesting to see all your friends assume the roll of each
basket ball player and be on the screen at the same time. Really, this is the
game’s strongest feature.
Overall: 7.0
Street Hoops fails to grasp the raw
intensity of a basketball street game or offer something that comes close to a
challenge. Fans of basketball will be surely disappointed with this offering
and that’s too bad, really, considering there are enough playing modes to choose
from. I suggest skipping out on this one and investing it in the much better
NBA Street.
