Let me preface this by saying that I never played the previous "Freestyle" games. I just never really got into them so this is a perspective from someone new to the series. I find the game addictive. As a fan of basketball, I was intrigued by this free-to-play game that I randomly found on the PS store. I played the earlier version of the game which I would have given a 5 or even a 4 but ILet me preface this by saying that I never played the previous "Freestyle" games. I just never really got into them so this is a perspective from someone new to the series. I find the game addictive. As a fan of basketball, I was intrigued by this free-to-play game that I randomly found on the PS store. I played the earlier version of the game which I would have given a 5 or even a 4 but I will review the game it in its current 2018 state.
Let me break my review down point by point. First, the gameplay. This may not start off as the most intricate experience as the controls for each character are shallow but the various skills and special moves for each character require more button combinations and ultimately, make the core of the game deeper than I initially thought. Each character has a respective position (Point Guard, Shooting Guard, Small Forward, Power Forward, Center) and each has his/her own unique set of attributes and skills. For example, Luther (my favorite) is a powerhouse Center that focuses on offense by being an unstoppable force in the paint; in contrast, you'll have someone like Big Dog who is also a Center but has passing abilities that make him more of a playmaker rather than an actual scorer. Each character feels different (apart from maybe Clarke and Luther, they just both play very similarly) and any player can find a character that suits their style of play then level up that character to raise their attributes and acquire new skills. In my opinion, though, try to be proficient with 2-3 different characters each in different positions. Be warned, though. This game is a ton more fun when played online and your experience can vary depending on each match. In one game, your team will dominate by playing smart basketball but in the very next game, you could be partnered up by idiot ballhogs who ruin the experience. Try to find friends to play with or join a crew that won't tolerate that ****
The next point is presentation and lore. This game is colorful and full of life. The Unreal Engine continues to impress even with a game leans more on a cartoonish look rather than realism. The characters have different clothes that set them apart and the game even takes an extra step by giving each character his/her own background story. Did they really need to? Does it affect the gameplay ? Absolutely not but I like the extra effort and the voice acting for each character is appropriately cheesy (though it can get annoying when other players spam the chat button and you have to hear the same sentence over and over again). The music in the game is catchy even though none of the songs really stand out. They're just there to provide upbeat distractions. The menus are easy to navigate; however, it's in the menus where the game tended to crash, for me at least. I would have been ok with that but seeing as how this game has been out for nearly 2 years, that needs to stop.
My biggest gripe with the game is the grindy nature of it. and this is where I docked off a few points. Games like these are grindy but to me, it's all about if it feels like it and the game definitely FELT like a real grind at times. I was able to max out one character through sheer hard work alone but there are people out there who have probably maxed out everybody just because they paid for experience points. The game does feel like micro-transactions are everywhere. From cosmetics to skills, the game reminds you how incredibly limited you are if you don't pay up. Some characters can only be bought with real-life currency which is egregious.
If you're a good enough player, though, with a good enough team, you can still beat guys who buy their way to leveling up but if you play against a top tier player/team who also buy skills, you're screwed.
Overall, I think this is a game worth trying. In its best moments, the game is an exciting, fast-paced thrill ride that demands you to play basketball properly. When you're in a good team going up a team with similar skill level, that's where it truly shines. At its worst, it's grindy nature may turn people after a few hours. Nevertheless, for people who enjoy playing over-the-top streetball, this is worth checking out.… Expand
3on3 FreestyleYour Score0 out of 10User Score
