Out of the box, you can create one character, with five “skill slots” and five “freestyle slots” that you can use to equip your player (you can have more skills/freestyles than that, but you can only use five at a time, unless you purchase additional slots). For a street ball game, the moves that you can execute early on are very simple and bland. For example, you have to purchase a skill to allow you to pass while moving, screen, or box out. Other common street moves (called “freestyles”), like a spin dribble or a dribble between the legs, aren’t even available until you’ve attained a certain level – usually higher than level 10. Granted, those moves are more exaggerated than realistic, with a bigger effect, but it would be nice to see your baller be able to do a little more on the court from the start.
Player attributes definitely affect the gameplay, and players with higher skill are readily apparent. However, the game plays pretty realistically from a statistical standpoint. Your movement, position on the court, and proximity of the defense impact shooting percentages. In addition, it seems that players will go on hot or cold streaks. Open shots are not always “gimmies” if you’re struggling. Truly, no two games play the same, which keeps you coming to the virtual court for one more game.
Yes, the graphics are bland. Yes, the controls are limiting. Yes, the action is slow-paced. Yes, there’s a bit of price-gouging with the “bills” system, especially if you want to get to the higher levels in the game. However, for fans of pick-up basketball, there's no denying that Freestyle Street Basketball is a fun outlet--and that’s the whole point, right?
