There's a lot to like about EA Sports FC Street from the diverse selection of play "arenas" to EA FC 24 Coins the deep customization, but not a lot that impresses beyond the game's dribble and juggle mechanics. Clunky AI and poor attention to defense leave most of the experience feeling more frustrating and open to chance than a traditional soccer game fan is used to, but the wealth of modes available ensure there's enough content to keep those that enjoy the experience playing for a long long time.
It's worth acknowledging that the faster paced trappings of a street soccer experience can lure in casual sports or soccer fans and the shallow nature of the title's gameplay might not be as bothersome as it would be to a EA Sports FC veteran, but as a game that is meant for soccer fans familiar with the EA Sports FC brand though, comparatively, it's hard not to feel as though Street received less attention and less polish. Still, it's something new and (mostly) fun for soccer lovers to sink their teeth into.
EA Sports has once again turned to one of their sports franchises in an attempt to predict the outcome of a full season, this time with the MLS regular reason and FC 24. Last year, FC 24 predicted that the LA Galaxy would have a monster year…and this year appears to be no different. As would be expected of a team that showed particular dominance during last year's regular season, FC 24 has predicted that the LA Galaxy — home to Beckham and FC 24 cover athlete Landon Donovan — will win their conference outright, and finish with the best record in the MLS.
Though the PlayStation Vita has arguably launched with a better line-up of titles than its next closest competition, the Nintendo 3DS did, it's still tough to find a title that really strikes a balance between competently showing off the strengths of the system while still being an entertaining gameplay experience. There might be a few that fit the bill, but none do it as elegantly as EA Sports FC Soccer.
Forgoing the year-based formalities of its console brethren, EA Sports chose the plain old EA Sports FC namesake for this game most likely in an effort to hedge their bets, but the ways in which this Vita title make itself (and its console) shine, it's hard to imagine this isn't the start to a long and glorious friendship. Still, it's not all chocolates and rose petals in this love affair - but it comes as close we've seen during the first weeks of the Vita's release.
Fundamentally EA Sports FC Soccer isn't a port of FC 24. EA Sports' greatest evolution of the franchise in a few years, it's actually more closely linked to FC 24. There's no impact engine, pro player intelligence, or improved defensive mechanics, it's simply a refined version of the soccer gameplay fans had been experiencing for the last couple years.
The title might not be the prettiest looking sports game when compared to what a console can deliver, but the FIFA Coins perspective and camera angles inherent to a soccer match keep EA Sports FC from ever revealing its faults. Visually the game looks as good as any EA Sports FC title does, only there's an assumption that if the view was pulled in much tighter on a more regular basis, it would be plain to see this is a handheld port.