NFL Street 2 screenshots   The Final Say! Gameplay 8.5 Graphics 9.0 Sound 8.6 Value 8.8 NFL Street 2  Review Date: January 2005 Review Score: 8.8/10  Distributed By: Electronic Arts

EA Sports... it's in the game! And once again this slogan rings true in Electronic Arts' latest football epic... NFL Street 2! Gone are the multimillion dollar stadiums but the advertising remains... as players now wear a variety of ghetto designed chic with the latest sneakers from Reebok. For those uninitiated in EA's street sporting franchising, NFL Street 2 takes American football to the rough and tough streets of various locales around the land of the free. Unlike the official NFL games, Street 2 has a real arcade feel to it that allows gamers to unlock a variety of NFL legends, defy gravity and of course engage in some of the deadliest American football that must be seen to be believed. The whole game could easily be summed up in four worlds, "It's all about street!" Although the gameplay remains rather unchanged since the original title, the developers have included a variety of new mini-games, 12 new locations and 6 new street events that is sure to keep even the most avid of gamer entertained. Some of the gameplay modes in NFL Street 2 include NFL Challenge (challenge the professionals in a time based match), Pickup game (select a team of randomly picked players to create your own super or disaster team) and the new Own the City game which allows players to take over different territories in the city by winning matches and mini-games. Of course, what really sets NFL Street 2 apart from the competitors is the Street Events mode that includes a variety of football mini-games that include Three Files Up, Smear the Queer and Showdowns. These mini-games really increase the longevity of this title so not only can you play a variety of different NFL street games but when you want some downtime, you can also compete in the mini-games for a different change of pace and some new excitement. As per usual, the control system of NFL Street 2 is extremely intuitive and easy to master and players can perform a variety of different  manoeuvres that include run, pass, trick or course a few new super moves that as the game boasts, defies gravity. The artificial intelligence of the title has been slightly improved since its predecessor and as you increase the difficulty level of the title, the gameplay does become rather difficult if not sometimes impossible to beat. Graphically NFL Street 2 is an impressive mix of realistic "street type" graphics that ensures that each player looks different and contains enough street clothes to set them apart from the competitors. It should also be noted that the polygon count on the players is rather high that not only contain some high detail textures but even the smallest amount of detail has been implemented into the title, whether it's the gold chains that a player wears around his neck or his Reebok shoelaces, the attention to detail is amazing.

The gaming environments also have a true urban feel to it and although a few of the environments do look a little bland, the player animation more than makes up for this lack of detail. It should also be noted the frame rate of NFL Street 2 remains rather constant throughout the entire game which ensures for some of the smoothest frame rate to be seen in a long time.

The soundtrack of NFL Street 2 uses a variety of ghetto "type" bands that includes a variety of different rap styles and even some heavy metal to help those gamers get into the spirit of NFL street sports. The developers have also included a variety of different sound effects in the game to increase the background ambience of the title that includes the sounds of the city itself to the gutter talk of the players. With that said, the voice acting of the game is a little harsh.

NFL Street 2 is different sporting experience that unfortunately only the true hardcore NFL fans will really appreciate and to an extent, some of these fans may be outraged to see how their precious game has been changed into a rough game of American football. Great graphics and sturdy gameplay ensures that this title is a well designed game but it is really aimed at those sporting nuts who just can't get enough of their sporting games!

- Andrew B