Derrick
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Need for Speed: Shift is a one of the best racing titles currently available, bundling top end graphics with an immersive sense of longevity.
Need for Speed: Shift has come forward to rescue what is now an arguably troubled gaming franchise from losing its way in a blur of street races and police pursuits.
Instead of following what the Need for Speed formula of progressively unrealistic racing titles, Shift has taken a more simulation-based route similar to the Forza and Gran Turismo platforms.
The campaign begins by placing the player behind the wheel of a 1 Series BMW for a test lap, after which drivers are given suggested difficulty, gearbox and traction control settings based on their racing skills. Players are also classified as either precision based or aggressive drivers according to how they conduct themselves on the track.
This classification will follow a player throughout the game and will allow them to earn points for completing side tasks such as keeping to racing lines or cleanly overtaking a competitor. These points allow drivers to level up, adding to their status and skills. Medals can also be earned when certain milestones, such as cleanly overtaking fifty opponents, are achieved.
When the test lap is concluded the player is given a sum of money and will be permitted to purchase a Tier 1 vehicle, typically featuring cars such as the Audi A3 and the Golf GTI. When the vehicle is purchased the driver will be able to compete in Tier 1 races, earning points and money for each race completed. Several race types including drifting competitions, time trials, manufacturer championships and standard open race formats are included.
A driver will be expected to earn a prerequisite number of points in order to proceed to the next Tier. Money earned during races can be used to upgrade the engine, bodywork and visuals of a given vehicle. Doing so becomes vital towards the end of each Tier.
Gameplay
The gameplay in Need for Speed: Shift is impressive. The physics behind controlling the car and getting it safely around the track will leave most players feeling as though they are indeed speeding along at 290Km/h.
The varying dynamics found in each car is also impressive. In Shift each car requires two or three races in order to become accustomed to the respective handling and gearing ratios, which adds a level of realism to the game.
Although the third person vehicle view options are impressive there is a lot to be said for the attention to detail developers Slightly Mad paid to the cockpit view. Typically racing fans would rather opt for an external camera angle than a driver viewpoint, in Shift the dynamics and the attention given to the finer details mean that there is arguably no better way in which to experience the game.
Visuals
In terms of graphics, racing titles have come a long way since their inception; most notably in the past year. Shift is the first in a new generation of racing based games which represents a significant step forward for both car and track.
Each vehicle is rendered with near photo realistic precision, to the extent that we often found ourselves watching game replays in order to marvel at the video quality. Both track and crowd are also rendered in a highly photorealistic manner and offer the dynamic experience that was sorely lacking from previous titles.
Sound
The sound in Shift is an element that needs to be pointed out. Each car has been recorded during their progressive gearing and speed stages and then applied to the gameplay with layered gear ratio and air intake audio for effect.
We played Shift with a pair of Seinheisser HD 202 headphones and the result was a highly impressive, immersive driving experience.
Problems
The only significant problem within Need for Speed: Shift is the load times. These were just slightly longer than what is generally acceptable in racing titles. This could find some gamers becoming frustrated with the wait.
Shift for PC experienced some initial technical bugs, although these have since been rectified with a downloadable patch.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Need for Speed: Shift is a one of the best racing titles currently available, bundling top end graphics with an immersive sense of longevity. Although upcoming titles such as Forza 3 and Gran Turismo 5 are likely to overshadow it, Shift will undoubtedly serve to reinvigorate the Need for Speed brand for the broader gaming community.
Need for Speed: Shift has come forward to rescue what is now an arguably troubled gaming franchise from losing its way in a blur of street races and police pursuits.
Instead of following what the Need for Speed formula of progressively unrealistic racing titles, Shift has taken a more simulation-based route similar to the Forza and Gran Turismo platforms.
The campaign begins by placing the player behind the wheel of a 1 Series BMW for a test lap, after which drivers are given suggested difficulty, gearbox and traction control settings based on their racing skills. Players are also classified as either precision based or aggressive drivers according to how they conduct themselves on the track.
This classification will follow a player throughout the game and will allow them to earn points for completing side tasks such as keeping to racing lines or cleanly overtaking a competitor. These points allow drivers to level up, adding to their status and skills. Medals can also be earned when certain milestones, such as cleanly overtaking fifty opponents, are achieved.
When the test lap is concluded the player is given a sum of money and will be permitted to purchase a Tier 1 vehicle, typically featuring cars such as the Audi A3 and the Golf GTI. When the vehicle is purchased the driver will be able to compete in Tier 1 races, earning points and money for each race completed. Several race types including drifting competitions, time trials, manufacturer championships and standard open race formats are included.
A driver will be expected to earn a prerequisite number of points in order to proceed to the next Tier. Money earned during races can be used to upgrade the engine, bodywork and visuals of a given vehicle. Doing so becomes vital towards the end of each Tier.
Gameplay
The gameplay in Need for Speed: Shift is impressive. The physics behind controlling the car and getting it safely around the track will leave most players feeling as though they are indeed speeding along at 290Km/h.
The varying dynamics found in each car is also impressive. In Shift each car requires two or three races in order to become accustomed to the respective handling and gearing ratios, which adds a level of realism to the game.
Although the third person vehicle view options are impressive there is a lot to be said for the attention to detail developers Slightly Mad paid to the cockpit view. Typically racing fans would rather opt for an external camera angle than a driver viewpoint, in Shift the dynamics and the attention given to the finer details mean that there is arguably no better way in which to experience the game.
Visuals
In terms of graphics, racing titles have come a long way since their inception; most notably in the past year. Shift is the first in a new generation of racing based games which represents a significant step forward for both car and track.
Each vehicle is rendered with near photo realistic precision, to the extent that we often found ourselves watching game replays in order to marvel at the video quality. Both track and crowd are also rendered in a highly photorealistic manner and offer the dynamic experience that was sorely lacking from previous titles.
Sound
The sound in Shift is an element that needs to be pointed out. Each car has been recorded during their progressive gearing and speed stages and then applied to the gameplay with layered gear ratio and air intake audio for effect.
We played Shift with a pair of Seinheisser HD 202 headphones and the result was a highly impressive, immersive driving experience.
Problems
The only significant problem within Need for Speed: Shift is the load times. These were just slightly longer than what is generally acceptable in racing titles. This could find some gamers becoming frustrated with the wait.
Shift for PC experienced some initial technical bugs, although these have since been rectified with a downloadable patch.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Need for Speed: Shift is a one of the best racing titles currently available, bundling top end graphics with an immersive sense of longevity. Although upcoming titles such as Forza 3 and Gran Turismo 5 are likely to overshadow it, Shift will undoubtedly serve to reinvigorate the Need for Speed brand for the broader gaming community.