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At this point in time, we all know what the Need for Speed series is all about. It is
one of the best series for some pedal to the metal, fast racing action, with authentic
realism kinda thrown to the wind. That’s what it is and that’s what we love. But
for this entry, the developers wanted to mix up the formula a little bit and bring more
simulation elements in while keeping the speed the series is known for.
Need for Speed Shift is, well, a shift in the series tradition. With the additions of
the simulation parts but retaining the more arcade style racing, the game feels very different
and pretty unique. You start the game and you are immediately taken to a race track,
and depending on how you race the game will adjust its difficulty. Then you are taken
right into the meat of the game and that is the NFS Live World Series. You will race through
multiple events, each one earning you stars and money. The stars are used to unlock more
races while the money is used to either buy a new car or purchase upgrades. The game actually
offers a good amount of customization options, with practically everything being adjustable
and an awesome amount of cars to customize. Everything from BMWs to Porsches are here
for you to race.
The racing itself is a little more complicated than you might expect. While of course your
goal is to cross the finish line first, there is more to the racing. You also have to be
stylish with your racing. Doing things like, staying in the perfect racing lane, performing
a pass just right, and pulling off the ideal drift will reward you with points. Earn enough
points and you get a star. So it is possible to progress, even if you don’t finish on
the podium.
The racing itself feels very good, with multiple options that can make the game play the way
you want. You can make damage affect performance or have it just remain cosmetic. The racing
tip-toes a thin line between simulation and arcade which makes it feel very accessible
but also pretty deep. The cars feel great and behave how you would expect them to.
The only problem with the game is what makes it so special. Because it is not “simy”
enough for some while also not “arcady” enough for others. If you want a sim you will
rather play Gran Turismo or Forza, and if you want arcade you will go for Burnout or
another Need for Speed. Who it is great for is people who want more depth but are intimidated
by complicated sims, or someone who just wants to play a solid racer than is just plain fun.