REVIEW: Need for Speed: Shift

Developer: Slightly Mad Studios Publisher: EA| Format: PS3

Reviewer: Craig Jay Gallagher The Need for Speed franchise has been a great money maker for EA with each new entry selling enough copies to kick start a small countries economy. The initial games in the series were focused on the world of illegal street racing and were all the better for it. There’s something deeply satisfying from racing through city streets at break neck speeds, it’s a felling that racing around a fixed track can never match. Unfortunately for those out there who enjoy breaking the law the increasing pressure of PC groups resulted in the franchise embracing legal street racing in Pro Street and in doing so the franchise lost much of what made it so much fun. EA then followe,d this with a return to the franchises roots in what was quite a low point in Need for Speed history. With Shift EA have taken the franchise in a whole new direction, resulting in a game which is more at home alongside Forza than any previous Need for Speed title.

Shift as has been mentioned all ready is a drastic departure for the Need for Speed franchise given that is now more racing sim than arcade game. While this will no doubt result in many long term fans jumping ship given how much the ante has been upped it will also see many new fans coming over. The control system has been updated given that the more realistic nature of the game calls for greater precision and timing in order to ensure you don’t go spinning into the nearest wall at every corner. Even with the more realistic approach to handling the game has retained much of it’s arcade feel. Eliminator and Time Attack both feature in mode selection and like every racing sim these days the game has a slew of online modes.

Going in this reviewer wasn’t expecting much from the changes made to Shift but overall they really do enhance the gaming experience. Unfortunately the games biggest flaw once more reaps it’s ugly head. The lack of challenge on the single player means that completing each race is a breeze. This really does hurt the game and makes extended playing a chore. Thank goodness then for the superior multiplayer mode. Shift really should be enjoyed with a few friends or against others online. It makes for a far more challenging and fulfilling experience.

Graphically Shift is stunning, the cars look realistic and the small touches such as clouds of smokes left by cars spinning in front of you. Nor is it uncommon to see clouds of dust throw up by cars speeding around corners and it is these small touches which really separates the game front the pack. With that in mind one can’t help but feel that were the game to embrace it’s past the possibilities for realistic yet fun illegal racing would be too much to pass up.

Need for Speed: Shift takes the now classic franchise and ups the ante considerably. Granted this will alienate many of the games core audience but those who give the game a chance will discover an authentic and fun filled racing sim. While it’s no Forza it;s certainly a lot of fun.