Need for Speed: Shift review

Need for Speed: Shift is not a straight up simulation racing game, instead it's a hybrid between arcade racing and simulation. You get to race around 18 different tracks using a variety of cars and varying levels of difficulty.

Shift has great graphics and the driving is very smooth. The arenas are very realistic and the colors and ads placed on the side of the track are very well designed. The graphics themselves are on par with Gran Turismo, and I’m very pleased by the amount of visual detail that went into making this game.

Shift is very different from previous Need for Speed titles, there is no real story. You’re just a racer going around racing. The simplicity of abandoning the story actually elevates the game. The game’s Driver Profile tracks the player’s evolution as a driver from one event to another through Career and Online Play. As you improve and unlock more and more cars and upgrades, you start to experience the Total Customization system. Shift allows you to totally customize almost every aspect of the car so that you are in full control. Choose your car and bring it to the track to see how it does against your opponents.

There are numerous modes to play in when you start the game: Driver Duel, Manufacture Races, Series, Endurance, Race, Drift, Time Attack, Hot Lap and Lap/Time Eliminator. These various modes are similar but change the game play enough so that the game doesn’t get boring. As you win more and more rounds, you collect some badges which help with your stats and highlight your achievement levels. This adds an arcade like aspect to the game.

When you race, you can play from a third person perspective or play from the first person. The first person view from the car’s cockpit is one of the highlights of the game. Crashing into a barrier causes the screen to go grey and blur as you, and the in game driver, breathe in sharply.

When you are speeding down the track at high speeds, the controls can become a bit insensitive, especially when used in conjunction with the direction arrows on the track. When speeding, it becomes hard to judge turns, so you need to be aware that the controller won’t respond as quickly.

This game is easily one of the best racing games I’ve ever played .

Graphics: 9
Enjoyment: 7
Gameplay: 8
Realism: 7
Online: 8