Ever have one of those days where you thought someone was out to “get you”? Well, sure, we probably all have, but how often have you had those days while getting behind the wheel of a car? While we probably prefer to sidestep road rage situations, that’s the kind of feeling that sets in with Shift 2: Unleashed, the latest in Electronic Arts’ Need For Speed line-up. It’s relentless, and some rookies or casual players may find themselves knocked to the curb as a result. Real racing fans, however, will want to step up and feel the thunder. Unlike Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit, Shift 2: Unleashed leans more towards a realistic driving approach. Granted, it doesn’t get all super technical like Gran Turismo 5, but it does rely on using your driving wits in order to stay on the road, as well as occasional skills to keep the other drivers from running roughshod all over you.
Click the above image to see our entire SHIFT 2 screenshot gallery.
Slightly Mad Studios has the AI cranked so tightly, it’s a surprise their drivers’ heads aren’t exploding in their cars. They charge at you as if they’re riding around in a bullet, ricocheting you off the road if you’re not careful. That’s not to say the game isn’t fun, but those who are unprepared, even on the game’s lightest difficulty, may be left in the dirt. We actually started the opening race several times because the AI was eating us alive and knocking us off the road. After finally getting into the rhythm, though, we started to get a hang of what the game was all about, and it became less of a chore and more of the mainstream racing entertainment that EA was initially setting up for. It does take a while to warm up, but once this baby’s up to speed, what a ride it is. It helps to have gameplay tweaks, so that the controls feel right at home. There are several driving assistant tools, as well as variable difficulty settings to try out. The game manages to slot you up in default settings after the opening race, but you’re able to change them however you please.
Click the above image to see our entire SHIFT 2 screenshot gallery.
Our advice is to take a few laps with different things turned on until you find your rhythm, then put the pedal to the metal and show these chumps how to work an accelerator. Along with a strong single player Career Mode, Shift 2: Unleashed also features an array of options. Autolog makes a return, after a more-than-successful debut in Hot Pursuit last year. Your best times are automatically logged into the system, and you can keep track of your friends’ progress as well. Online also gives you the option to take on up to twelve friends in a race, which will keep you more than busy. The variety of events is cool as well, including Driver Duels, Invitational events and Eliminator races, where, if you’re in last place, you might as well pull over, because you’re finished. The gameplay is rewarding if you give it enough of a chance, and the more you race, the more you unlock via Experience Points (XP), including badges, cars, new designs and tracks scattered across the globe. That’s more than enough incentive to keep you going, and car customization is a nice touch, especially considering the somewhat low car count. (We’re sure more will be coming via DLC, and a few extra are included with the Limited Edition of the game.)
This feature review concludes on the next page, please click Page 2 below to see our final thoughts on SHIFT 2 Unleashed.
