Need For Speed SHIFT
Platform: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, PSP
Developed by: Slightly Mad Studios
Published by: Electronic Arts
Release date: September 15, 2009
Official website: shift.needforspeed.com

Game summary from EA:
"Need For Speed SHIFT redefines the racing genre with the combination of real world physics with perception based G-forces. The game includes a brutal first person crash dynamic to create an immersive cockpit view. When combined with the all-new driver profile, which gives each player a unique persona based on their driving skill and style, Need For Speed SHIFT is the most realistic and intensive authentic racing game ever."

Review Summary:
If you've been away from racing games or the Need For Speed series for awhile, come back. Need For Speed SHIFT is a fun racing game that plays to your preference of a racing game. Whether you're an arcade racer or simulation racer, Need For Speed SHIFT is a joy to race.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Read the full review below.

Need For Speed SHIFT review

Has it been a while since your last racing game? Need For Speed SHIFT is a racing game that will renew your interest in the genre. It also reinvigorates the Need For Speed franchise. With Need For Speed SHIFT, the game developers of Slightly Mad Studios and game publisher Electronic Arts have delivered a racing game that truly plays the way you want. If you prefer jumping into a heated race and knocking your competition off the track, Need For Speed SHIFT will give you your fix. If you like to fine tune your shocks, drivetrain and downforce, Need For Speed SHIFT will appease you racers who prefer skill and sophistication to your win. You mold Need For Speed SHIFT into the kind of a racing game you like to play, and after a few laps it'll mold you into a racer.

Need For Speed SHIFT kicks off by giving you a test race. Following that initial race, you'll be offered some recommended gameplay settings. This accounts for AI difficulty and control complexity. From the beginning of the game, you're guided through some options, which never feel overwhelming like other racing games. The menus are simple and clear. There is no story to sidetrack you, nor overwhelming tuning options to take your time away from the track. I know I've been hesitant to play a racing game that feels like a chore to play. Need For Speed SHIFT really makes racing fun again.

Your goal in Need For Speed SHIFT is to rank-up through various Tiers (1 to 4), until you reach the ultimate Need For Speed World Tour and Championship. Throughout your career and performance on the track, you'll earn money to buy more cars and purchase upgrades. Each Tier has it's own European, American and Japanese cars available for purchase. It may sound pretty standard so far, but here are the unique things about Need For Speed SHIFT.

Rewards and Badges will keep you motivated during your race to the ultimate NFS World Tour. It's not just about finishing first, but how you perform on the track. Your performance adds to your Profile Points. Trading paint with other racers, drifting, or clean overtakes are some of your performance skills that are measured and will determine if you are an aggressive driver or a precise one. Those points are also what increases your Driver Level. This part of Need For Speed SHIFT plays kind of like a role-playing game, by upgrading your stats and leveling up.

Some cars specialize in drifting, support nitrous, or can be upgraded for the ultimate performance ride with the Works upgrade. Whether you like it or not, purchasing cars from the Xbox LIVE Marketplace is seamless. You can purchase cars using the money you've won on the track, or use your Microsoft Points. The cost of each car in Microsoft Points varies by Tier. From Tier 1's 40 MS Points (.50 cents) per car to Tier 4's 240 MS Points ($3) per car. I say resist the temptation, but it's there and easily accessible if you want to get a jump start on the competition. Either way, you're still going to have to work for upgrading your vehicle's engine, handling, and more. There are plenty of tuning options (advanced ones for you racing pros), and you can customize your car by color, finish, rims and vinyls. Go ahead and get your purple Lamborghini with a scorpion on the hood if your heart desires it.

So car customization and incentives for leveling up are there, but you probably must be wondering how does it feel racing. Controls feel tight and fluid on the track. You might feel disconnected from some racing games where cars feel overly sensitive or glide as if on ice. These cars feel tactile and hug the track (or kick up gravel should you veer off course). There are many different types of events to participate in. Standard race, eliminator, race series and more. One on one car battles are here, which is a staple of the Need For Speed series, minus the fluff from before. There's the ultimate Endurance mode, where you'll be tested on some 30 lap tracks. A Racing Line indicator is your visual cue on where you want to be on the track. It helps give you a sense of how you should be taking corners and decelerating.

The toughest time I had in Need For Speed SHIFT was understanding and getting past Drifting events. I almost wish they weren't included as part of the tiered competitions. You don't have to complete them all, but it can be the most frustrating part of the game. The physics model also felt a bit off, especially when using a fully upgraded car with the Works. Cars may ricochet off you, or you can plow under a car and send it flying over you. Sometimes the registration of the driving skills or penalty messages seemed off as well. For instance, I received "corner mastery" for a corner I overtook, or I wasn't penalized for cutting the track in some areas. These are minor details that fortunately don't get in the way of a great racing game.

Visually, Need For Speed SHIFT looks great. Car models look just like the real thing. You can switch from various viewpoints, including a behind the car view or see what it looks like from the driver's seat. The tracks are detailed with animated crowds cheering you on or carnivals at the sidelines. The flames from your exhaust, tire trails, velocity trails and disorienting blur effect when you collide all add to the immersive racing experience.

There is a multiplayer mode, both ranked and unranked. Even if you don't race online, you can compete with your friends for the best times on each race. The best time for each race is shown on the race icon. It's green if you scored the best time or red if your friend holds the best time. That keeps the challenges fresh. Even when you do get to the Need For Speed World Tour, you'll want to improve on previous races or complete some you may have skipped over. There are plenty of incentives to play more and see how high of a racing level you can attain.

Need For Speed SHIFT will take you on quite a ride from street car to supercar. Prepare to break a sweat and keep pushing forward for more races and more cars. Need For Speed SHIFT is a game you definitely shouldn't miss. Forget what you know about the Need For Speed series or those other complicated racing simulators. Need For Speed SHIFT is a game I highly recommended for any gamer who likes a challenge, but most importantly wants fun and replay value in their game.

Need For Speed SHIFT Tuning Trailer: