Preview
NBA Street Homecourt Preview (Xbox360)
True to the basketball genre, EA Sports Big
seeks to deliver on several fronts with NBA Street Homecourt: smaller
teams, faster gameplay, easier controls, and a more open game of b-ball. The experience they deliver is not far from their aim.
Twenty five songs on the game soundtrack, the majority of them from big artists, is reminiscent of Fight Night Round 3 and so far has done well for EA in the past. The style they portray in the game looks like a hit. It has a classic feel; very old-style courts, outside, in the brisk sunlight instead of in the masses and bright lights.
Gameplay is also much more open. Through the regular rules of basketball, you can do what you need to do. Unlike other titles though, the controls are simple. Passing is intuitive and dependent on which direction you are facing. Performing an ally-oop only requires your player to be at the right place at the right time. If he is, he’ll go for it, and it will switch control to that player automatically. All you need to do is hit the correct button.
This dynamic play allows for very smooth gameplay, and really does put a lasting impression on anyone playing it. For first timer basketball players (as a videogame) it is a great start. The easy controls and fast gameplay take away the cumbersome strategy and placement required to do well in other basketball titles.
The graphics are up to par with what is expected for a game of its class, though some of the textures seemed a bit forced. Characters without shirts looked very flat, almost as if their shadows had run away. Not that I was staring, mind you. Some of the character movements also don’t flow perfectly, and are a bit edgy.
One thing I feel I cannot stress enough though is the pace. Street Homecourt does an excellent job, something I’ve not seen in a basketball game for quite some time. The reduction of the five man team to three, as well as the faster movement across the court (or possibly the smaller courts) makes it phenomenal. Open area’s without crowding and space to test moves is a great way to play.
Homecourt also goes over the top in several respects. Fouling is a constant battle to deal with, as well as blocking any and every shot possible. Out of bounds doesn’t exist, as well as all the rules (except for dribbling and scoring baskets, seemingly). It does make the gameplay smooth, but it is also frustrating when 90% of your shots are just hit out of the air from ten feet away.
Then again, the ability to small dunk a ball not once, but twice while doing several back flips in the air is also a possible move, one that doesn’t put anymore points on the scoreboard, but does look damned neat. Incredible moves are seemingly endless…unless you’re on the wrong side of them.
Die-hard fans of basketball games may not take a liking to the openness of NBA Street Homecourt, but for those people who loved the original NBA Jam; this is the perfect title to pick up. No BS gameplay, almost cartoon-ish humor and a light tone throughout, Homecourt is the embodiment of a fun basketball game. At least it seems to be. Check it out.
Twenty five songs on the game soundtrack, the majority of them from big artists, is reminiscent of Fight Night Round 3 and so far has done well for EA in the past. The style they portray in the game looks like a hit. It has a classic feel; very old-style courts, outside, in the brisk sunlight instead of in the masses and bright lights.
Gameplay is also much more open. Through the regular rules of basketball, you can do what you need to do. Unlike other titles though, the controls are simple. Passing is intuitive and dependent on which direction you are facing. Performing an ally-oop only requires your player to be at the right place at the right time. If he is, he’ll go for it, and it will switch control to that player automatically. All you need to do is hit the correct button.
This dynamic play allows for very smooth gameplay, and really does put a lasting impression on anyone playing it. For first timer basketball players (as a videogame) it is a great start. The easy controls and fast gameplay take away the cumbersome strategy and placement required to do well in other basketball titles.
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The graphics are up to par with what is expected for a game of its class, though some of the textures seemed a bit forced. Characters without shirts looked very flat, almost as if their shadows had run away. Not that I was staring, mind you. Some of the character movements also don’t flow perfectly, and are a bit edgy.
One thing I feel I cannot stress enough though is the pace. Street Homecourt does an excellent job, something I’ve not seen in a basketball game for quite some time. The reduction of the five man team to three, as well as the faster movement across the court (or possibly the smaller courts) makes it phenomenal. Open area’s without crowding and space to test moves is a great way to play.
Homecourt also goes over the top in several respects. Fouling is a constant battle to deal with, as well as blocking any and every shot possible. Out of bounds doesn’t exist, as well as all the rules (except for dribbling and scoring baskets, seemingly). It does make the gameplay smooth, but it is also frustrating when 90% of your shots are just hit out of the air from ten feet away.
Then again, the ability to small dunk a ball not once, but twice while doing several back flips in the air is also a possible move, one that doesn’t put anymore points on the scoreboard, but does look damned neat. Incredible moves are seemingly endless…unless you’re on the wrong side of them.
Die-hard fans of basketball games may not take a liking to the openness of NBA Street Homecourt, but for those people who loved the original NBA Jam; this is the perfect title to pick up. No BS gameplay, almost cartoon-ish humor and a light tone throughout, Homecourt is the embodiment of a fun basketball game. At least it seems to be. Check it out.
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NBA Street Homecourt Trailer
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