Review: Need For Speed: Shift - A shift indeed

Mike Bantick
Saturday, 03 October 2009 13:10

Entertainment

While some critics claim that the latest iteration in EA’s venerable racing series has a slight spelling mistake, many, however, laud the change of pace that does not alienate a large proportion of fans.  Shift turns away from the streets to more organised racing fare, and is all the better for it.

Undercover was better than Carbon, and Shift is better than Undercover.  There, review done, can I go home now?

Need For Speed: Shift
	Developer	Slightly Mad Studios
	Publisher	Electronic Arts
	Rating	G
PC, PSP, Xbox 360, Reviewed on PS3

Didn’t think so.

Shift retains the accessibility of its predecessors, but drops away the (secretly fun) illegal aspects of its construction.  There is nary a pedestrian, shortcut or police car in sight, but certainly a quick thinking mind and accompanying reflexes are still required.

This is organised racing, with the aim of gaining access to the NFS World Tour, and right from the start you are into the racing, straight into a lap of Brands Hatch raceway in a borrowed BMW.

Based on that lap, the game will suggest a level of driver aids for your profile throughout the game.  So braking/steering assist, Traction Control, damage levels and race line indicators can be toggled to find a level of challenge appropriate to your video driving skill. 

As you race, two types of scoring systems are in use:  Driving cleanly, picking a good line and avoiding paint trading with competitors will rack up Precision points, whist an aggressive approach, using other cars as breaking aids and so on will mount up the Aggression points.

Either way, the points will total up, raising the driver level (there are 50 levels all up) and unlocking extra money or flashier equipment, extra garage slots and more.

Stars are also awarded for achieving goals within an event, for example a podium position.  Accumulating Stars will unlock new events, or a new tier of available cars.  Major and Minor badges are also awarded as players progress, these are given out for accumulated skills such as drafting or even simply distance driven.

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