Midway's street ball game returns for a second season, but still can't climb to the top of the league.
This time around, the zero-to-hero story centers around you and your rival, Hot Sauce. A one time friend, Hot Sauce sold you out for fame, fortune, and the affections of your foxy lady. You've still got the mad b-ball skills, but without a chance to prove it on the court, you'll never get what's coming to you. As luck would have it, the NBA Finals are being held in LA this year -- and a shot at the big time along with it. You've got one week to compete on the courts and win the big prize. Do well, and you'll walk away as a NBA Superstar and Hollywood maven; screw up, and you'll be living out of your car forever.
Because the game is all about you, the first step in the story mode is creating a custom character. Phenom doesn't skimp on the options, giving players plenty of ways to pimp out your player to the max. You also have 480 points to spread across 16 different stat categories, which cover everything from shooting skills to defensive ability to performance under pressure.
Although it's possible to start with a balanced character, most players are better served by specializing. After all, if you primarily play a mid-game or always shoot close to the post, there's little reason to waste ability points on the 3-point shot. As you win tournaments, more ability points are awarded and can be distributed as you choose.
Tournaments play out in the one-on-one match-ups that characterize the Ballers franchise. Matches are fought in a "best-of-three rounds" structure. Rounds are won by reaching 13 points (and leading by at least two points) or simply having the highest score when the timer hits zero. Special rules, such as unlimited goal tending or no time limit, occasionally appear to mix things up.
On-court play is very similar to the original game. Inspired by Midway's fighting game heritage, Ballers combines arcade-styled b-ball with the crazy super moves made famous by the likes of Mortal Kombat. The basic commands of passing, shooting, and dunking are the core of the game, but show-off moves, jukes, taunts, and specials make up a large portion of play. By throwing down your game and getting flashy for the camera, you can not only confuse your opponent but you'll also start racking up bonus points, which contribute to prize money at the end of the match.
Your choice of moves is limited at first, but the more advanced specials can be unlocked by purchasing them or by playing through the story mode. Temporary abilities can be gained by purchasing food and stats can be modified by purchasing clothes. In some ways, it's similar to equipping a character in a role-playing game or trying to be popular in high school -- it's all about having the right threads.
In addition to the on court play, the story mode also includes a number of mini-games. As you wander around the city of LA, you can explore the environment. Some goals include finding all the hidden diamonds, unlocking the NBA mascots, competing in a DDR-inspired rhythm game, testing your strength, besting a trivia quiz, and proving your ability to spell NBA player names in a spelling bee. None of these side quests are truly necessary, but they do provide a nice break from the action as well as unlocking more in-game goodies.
Completing the story mode also unlocks your custom crib. Phenom contains an in-depth crib creator that allows you to customize the ultimate b-ball location. Though you are free to experiment with the crib creator at any time, the only way to play there is to earn the right.
New to the Xbox version this year is online play, though what's here is somewhat basic as you can only bust it up in one-on-one matches. Still, if you're looking to test out your skills and see how your custom champion stacks up against the creations of other players, it's an enjoyable way to pass the time. When creating a match you can tweak the settings, which helps add some variety.
Visually, Phenom works, but doesn't look great. Compared side-by-side with the original Ballers, not much has changed. This was cutting-edge stuff two years ago but now it looks dated. Sharp eyed ballers will spot the seam lines where background textures meet, giving the sky a distinct polygonal look.
Most of the music is original and created specifically for the game, but if hip hop isn't your thing, plan on turning the beats down. You can disable the music, but there's no option to use custom soundtracks. The weakest point on the sound is the announcer. Repetitive doesn't begin to describe his rantings. Five minutes into play and you'll have heard his entire repertoire.
If you've never played the original Ballers and are looking for a change from the standard hoops action, Phenom should most certainly be on your radar. The b-ball action is solid, the story mode offers a number of diversions, and the custom character features are well fleshed out. However, those that own the original should carefully consider before plunking down for Phenom. Don't buy it expecting a complete remodel -- it's just a fresh coat of paint on an old frame.