April 26, 2007 - With over 30 million players in Asia, FreeStyle Street Basketball is still relatively unknown in North America. The casual feel to the game and cel shaded look, with the involvement of streetball and hip-hop culture, are aimed to appeal at a young crowd and have done so extremely well in other parts of the world. Now publishers Sierra are looking to another market in hopes of achieving the same success. This PC version of street basketball games will have some competition with North America's console street games, but FSB promises to offer something very different.

Vivendi Games CEO Bruce Hack said in a press statement, "We are excited to be the first Western publisher to bring a successful casual online game from Asia to North America. FreeStyle Street Basketball uniquely blends basketball and character building gameplay in a stylish multiplayer online environment."

While the game has gained its popularity overseas by combining RPGs with sports, in fact, Sierra puts more focus on the game's communal aspects than on gameplay. The game exists online and can only be played multiplayer. Players create themselves and customize their features, clothing and accessories, and continually try to upgrade their statistics. So, as you cruise the courts and look for people to play with, every person you meet is an actual person with an individual look and clothing. Sierra has made friends lists, extensive leaderboards, and the ability to give gifts to other users, which has proven to be part of the game's appeal overseas. The leaderboards offer many stats including shot percentage, points and wins, and gifts include different accessories available to purchase.

The character customization begins as soon as you join. Upon creating an online persona, you choose your body type, skin color, shirt color, height and weight, plus your character's basketball position (point guard, shooting guard, etc.). After doing that, you are given a few credits to start things off which you can use towards customizing your outfit, haircut, accessories, and tattoos. The different items you purchase affect your character's skill level, and the more games you win the more experience and spending credits you earn.

But the most integral part of the game is the customization of your player's moves, such as "freestyle" crossovers and dunks, which have to be purchased. As you increase your skills, you will have more to choose from, and you can have up to five at a time. But also part of the game's success overseas is that it is free to play up to a certain point. Once your character is built up to level 15, the game asks you to pay for continued upgrades. The maximum level you can then achieve is 45 for hardcore gamers with a good credit card.

Games are played online in true streetball pickup fashion. You meet with other players and choose you would like to play with. The game displays everyone's connection strength, so players with a weak internet connection may have a hard time finding people to play with. Once you have chosen your teammates and opponents, you can play one on one, two on two, or three on three, and play three, four, or five minute games. You can also register a team on the game and play with your friends, much like a clan in other RPGs.

As gameplay goes, FSB has simple controls and is definitely not intended to be an authentic ball simulation. Basically, your keyboard's arrow keys control your player's movement. The "W" key creates a screen or calls for the ball, "S" steals or passes, "D" jumps or shoots, and "A" uses your purchasable custom move or can be used as a cross-over move to break the ankles of your opposing defender.

Visually, the games cel shading and animations make for a cool and unique gaming experience. The audio, including exclusive music and small talk between characters, make for an ambience that that make you feel as though you are taken into FSB's virtual world. Tapping into true-to-life streetball culture, FreeStyle Street Baskeball features upgrades with real gear designed by Marc Ecko and actual streetball courts in different locations worldwide, such as Venice Beach. The game also features a hip-hop soundtrack, with exclusive music by G-Unit members Lloyd Banks and Young Hot Rod as well as instrumentals from producer Sha Money XL.

With the success of streetball games including NBA Street and other not-so-popular streetball console titles, only time will tell if FreeStyle Street Basketball will have the same appeal with PC gamers on this side of the pond. The game will be available online and for purchase in North America May 15 with a $20 price tag.

By Pete Richards
CCC Freelance Writer

Features: