Need For Speed: SHIFT review

There’s something about SHIFT that just doesn’t feel right. Being marketed as a simulation doesn’t help matters, after all it does nothing here that will have Forza or even Gran Turismo quaking in there boots. As for bridging the gap between sim and arcade, the recent Dirt 2 achieved that and did so creating its own identity. Having put many hours into SHIFT, it’s hard to tell what it’s trying to be.

Words by Adam Gulliver , playing on a Microsoft Xbox 360.

As soon as you begin youre flung behind the wheel into the helmet cam, the default (and best) camera option available thanks to the insane sense of speed it can create. At the start youre put straight into a race to gauge how good of a driver you are. Upon completion a number of options will pop up suggesting what types of assists and the AI difficulty best suits your skill level. From here its straight into the career where a mad voiceover tells you what needs to be done in a tone of voice making it seem like the fate of the world hangs in the balance.Once in the career youll start to wonder really why EA decided to advertise this as a pure simulation because while it may have started off as one, its almost as if they got scared and decided to add elements to keep fans of the previous Need for Speed games happy. So while at the end of each race youre given points based on your precision driving (clean overtakes, following the racing line etc) youre also given points based on aggression. The points being dished out based on ramming other cars off the road and other dirty tactics. Its a bizarre inclusion that makes it feel like the developers werent entirely convinced they were heading in the right direction.Of course its not hard to slam into other cars when more often than not they coming after you. The AI drivers at times can be just as aggressive because theyll stick to the racing line like glue. Imagine if you spin and your car is planted in the middle of the track, there may be room either side, but for the other cars thats not acceptable and instead plough straight through sending you spinning. This is where car physics also play a part in destroying the simulation illusion. During one race we hit a car lightly only for it to almost flip up onto its side. They all appear to lack any form of weight whatsoever, its like crashing two micro machines into each other.So far weve been fairly unforgiving on SHIFT, but really this is down to expectation. As the package containing the game got unwrapped we were expecting a Forza-like experience, instead we didnt. Once we got to grips with the unique handling model however and unlocked more races enjoyment was starting to be had. You wont be able to just pick up and play SHIFT, it takes time to get used to the way it plays. The more powerful cars can be especially unforgiving with only a slight tweak needed to send them spinning into a wall. Various race types on offer from simple time trials to races, to the more unique offerings from the series. The best would be the one on one battles where its the best of three rounds as you aim to beat your rival, either by beating him to the finish line or getting five seconds ahead. The other, not so good race type is drifting. Imagine trying to drive a car on ice and youve pretty much got the right idea. Its unforgiving and most importantly, not a lot of fun when youre spinning out for the millionth time.What makes the game difficult to put down is the amount of content youre given, from unlockable medals and stars to the sheer variety youre given. Badges are unlocked for completing certain objectives whereas stars are key to your progression. These are gained by getting podium finished, maximum points or specific objectives, such as a clean lap. Collecting cars also adds to the longevity, with a slight Forza feel to the proceedings. Cars can be tweaked or upgraded, and even given a new pant job. While it lacks the in depth nature of said game, it will however still keep you hooked as you build your virtual garage.As has become the norm, online races are available and unless youre playing with friends then be prepared for a horrid experience. Imagine the video game equivalent of bumper cars and youre spot on. Unfortunately very few people actually go for the precision driving and concentrate on the aggression. If you dare to brake for a corner then most of the time youll end up hit in the back. Good times. It does play smoothly though with zero lag, so thats something.SHIFT is an odd beast. Happy to straddle that middle ground between simulation and arcade, it doesnt necessarily master either. Maybe with the next iteration theyll go all the way and give Forza a run for its money, until then however, thisll have to do.