EA has some very 'money' franchises that are no-brainers in the selling department. Madden, Live, and NBA Street just to name a few. When EA Sports Big decided to branch the street series into the NFL, it was received quite well and has a promising future if the company decides to expand upon it. The risky decision came when their FIFA series hit the streets, and while the mechanics were there as far as game play goes, it almost feels as if this series just is not the right sports for the street. Nevertheless, FIFA Street 2 has hit store shelves, and while it is a huge leap over the previous version in terms of graphics, game play, and fun factor, FIFA Street 2 still doesn't generate enough excitement to allow this franchise to branch to a third.

Visually FIFA Street 2 looks the part to play with the big boys. You have gorgeous visuals from the player models to the special effects and animations. EA has incorporated 320 real life pros in FIFA Street 2, so if you are a fan of the sport, you should be able to recognize these mugs with ease. The players animate beautifully with tons of moves from juggles, spins, jukes, headers, and tons of various moves that will excite most any soccer fan. The environments are urban playgrounds that try to emulate that "street" feeling. I just do not see too many of these players swallowing their pride long enough to hang in the ghetto. Other notable special effects are the game breakers that are always a visual treat when performed. If I can put a flaw mark on the package, the move sets still are not large enough, and after a few games you won't be seeing anything new.

Audio contains your typical Euro themed music and announcers. Tech-House beats will fill the room as you play, so I hope you have your dancing shoes on next to your cleats. The announcers do a fine job trying to mimic sideline street announcers. Unless you turn their volume up manually, you will not know they are there, as they are muffled by the music at the default settings. Sound effects for special shots are also present and provide that over-the-top audio you would expect from the series.

Gameplay is a lot tighter than in the previous version. While still not the ideal title to just pick up and play, the moves and specials are easier to pull off this time around. You can now set up your attack with a great deal of passes, juggling, signature moves, and more, before taking that shot on the keeper. The biggest gripe I have is that the areas are still too small to get really creative, and unlike NFL Street 2, you cannot perform wall moves. The A.I. isn't too tough, but you can feel the effects of the rubber band A.I. creeping in on a losing CPU at higher levels. In the end, the game just feels like a combo trick-fest with no real strategy involved besides trying to look as fancy as possible before you score.

There are plenty of game modes to keep you busy if this game suits your fancy. You have Friendly, Rule the Street (a career mode of sorts), Kick Abouts, Team Captain, Rival Challenges, Underground Tournament, and International Cup. You can play 1-4 players, but there is no online mode again this year, so you must get together in one home to throw down in multiplayer.

Even with the better game play, improved visuals, and increased amount of modes, this game fits well within the love it or hate it category. If you are a fan who just can't get enough soccer, this game will be right up your alley, but casual fans still may yawn at this offering. Like a cowboy at a punk concert, it's awkward and really doesn't belong.