GameSpot: Need for Speed: Shift Review

GameSpot writes: "Need for Speed: Shift has a good selection of cars and plenty of varied tracks (ranging from small ovals and a figure-eight track to lengthy street and grand prix circuits) to race them on. Other than a somewhat interesting experience system, though, it offers nothing that hasn't already been done better elsewhere. Shift is neither an arcade racer nor a simulation; it's stuck somewhere between the two, and while there's plenty of good racing to be had here, it's unlikely to completely satisfy fans of either".

[renegade]

WTF a 7? LOL. This just set shift to get destroyed by gt5 and forza2.

[N4G king]

Need for Speed always sucked after NFS: most wanted

[Bnet343]

Need for Speed needs to die already.

[NaViTo]

The game it's not bad at all, but like the review says it's not a good simulator and either a good arcade game.

Waiting for Gran Turismo on PS3 and PSP!

[DelbertGrady]

I own it and the controls suck. If you are looking for a racing game to satisfy your apetite until GT5/Forza 3, go with Dirt 2.

[Ju]

Got it yesterday and I wouldn't say it's bad. The wheel feels actually pretty great. It has settings from noob to pro, even normal has a lot of steering aids on etc. Experienced seams about right, IMO. But I haven't done any tough races yet.

I have to admit, though, that after seeing all those videos I am a bit disappointed by the visuals. It's worse then I'd expected. After having played GT5p, Shift is miles away from a show case title. The Dirt2 demo looks better. Even Ferrari Challenge looks miles better (and runs 1080p@60fps compared to that, with full rain/weather simu, etc).

But, I actually like the driving feeling. It transforms a powerful car pretty well to the controls - if you have a wheel, that is. Well, yes, it plays better then Grid.

[AXAXAX]

Easy score for GT5

[Shaka2K6]

That sounds like the perfect description of forza 3 if you ask me.

forza 3 should score no higher then 6/10, since we all know Shift looks alot better and more fun.

[Zedux]

I new gamespot was up to something they gave Shift a score of 7 and once Forza 3 comes out they will give that game score 9.5/10! Gamespot is sponsored by MS and long ago they choose MS's money over gamers!

[AliTheBrit]

I'm going to laugh my arse off when Forza 3 starts getting 9's :)

[lamigol]

my copy should be here today from play hopefully, tomorrow at the latest. It got a 7 from g spot but other reviews are far more positive. Look on metacritic. It will keep me going till GT5 arrives, then all games but MW2 will be traded or locked away.

[xdye017]

LOL are you mentally ill?

[Sarcasm]

After playing this game for the past day, I honestly don't like it. The most important aspect of a racing game is flawed! What do I mean? Well the steering input lag is ridiculous. It takes like a whole second before the game recognizes your trying to turn the car.

It's honestly nowhere in the league of Forza or GT.

It has great visuals and amazing car sounds, but that's about it. It's a frustrating racing experience.

[Marceles]

I don't notice any steering lag, maybe you have the steering assists on too much, but the game is WAY overhyped from all the articles hailing it as a new sim competitor in terms of graphics and gameplay. They REALLY must've been on something that day.

[Sarcasm]

I have it on professional, with no steering assists or anything. I have game mode on my TV and everything. The input lag is still there.

[DelbertGrady]

Agree totatlly. And the cars slide all over the place. An AWD Audi S4 with all handling upgrades installed and it still has the grip of a Dodge Charger running on flat tires...

*edit* Played it on the second easiest setting. I use the driving line but not brake assist or traction control I believe. It doesn't really matter since it's not the AI that makes you lose races but the poor handling.

[Ju]

Not for me. But again, not sure if you talk controller or wheel. I think the wheel has a perfect 1:1 response, maybe a natural delay. It feels very natural, in the sense, like with any new real car (or model) you drive you have to adjust. That feeling is right there on the wheel (over-steering, delay, etc). It slips if you overpower the car. Like it should in real live. Actually, I still think you'd fly off the track way faster with a real car then in the game if you miss the break points. Even if you get off the track you can get back on relatively fast, which for real sim games, that's a no go. ("Experienced", low driving aids, though. Haven't complete switched that off, yet).

[Sarcasm]

Soda hit it right on the head. Every car feels like it's too overbloated.

I've been to about 12 track days in my life, and there's no such thing as steering lag lol. If any of you have driven an Evo, you know how tight that steering response is. Need for speed Shift competely lacks this feeling.

And it has nothing to do with being "noobish" or "green" but it's really a design flaw IMO.

[Sarcasm]

"Actually, I still think you'd fly off the track way faster with a real car then in the game if you miss the break points"

That would be true and REALISTIC, which NFSS is inaccurate in this regard as well.

Believe me, I've driven on a moist track on my old RSX Type-S. It had a 23mm rear sway bar so the car has some slight oversteering characteristics. But even as a FWD, I went too fast in corner 15 (I think 15) at thunderhill, and the car snaps sideways in an instant.

My point is, the steering input lag is inexcuseable.

[Ju]

"Lag" is maybe the wrong word, but you can have a very direct steering behavior (usually race cars) to a very "indirect" turn/steer relation. You mention how "tight" the Evo is. There you go.

I will try to more attention later today to see if I can feel the "lag" you describe. I didn't so far.

[Marceles]

I bought the game and yeah, I agree with the score. Its competition is more with Project Gotham than Forza and GT5. The game awards you for clean and dirty racing and the game doesn't discriminate which method of racing it prefers for you to get more points to level up. You just can't cut corners or drive backwards, but everything else is legal from making your opponent spin out to cutting them off so they can't pass.

[morkendo]

dont know about you guys

I bought it, test shift out for 10 min. hated it.. press eject button
back in case got reFUND!! CRITERION your next. PLEASE!!! make old school style HOTPURSUIT 3 OR HIGHSTAKES 2 / now thats going back to its roots.

[lamigol]

For people who have this game, do the cars slide around like dirt or is it worse / more realistic ? I need a comparison.

[Ju]

With the wheel it drives much better then Dirt (2). I went with that instead of Dirt because I hated the steering in Dirt. Maybe I just can't get into rally games, or I need a better wheel (better stick to shift gears or something). I think you have to drive Dirt with a manual gearbox else you can't really drift properly on dirt roads. Without that you can't really drive a rally game. But its a different style of racing anyway, Dirt is supposed to be slippery. I haven't experienced the slippery tracks in Shift, so far.

Visually, I think Dirt2 is the much better game, though.

[morkendo]

if MS sponsor (paided) gamespot to give shift a low rateing 7 then who in the hell paying GIANTBOMB.COM?? they gave SHIFT 3.4 rateing.
if it was up to me I would sue EA for copy-rights infringement copying off GT and GRID look-a-like wanna-be. to keep from being sued EA trying to pass it as not being a sim or arcade lol what the hell would u call it then?? "SIMCADE" LOL

[OpiZA]

I'm just looking for something along the lines of PGR4, not s im but not arcade like GRID. I don't think i'll find it in Shift, but i'm craving something along those lines. Picking up Dirt 2 shortly, loved the first and found the demo for the second very satisfying

[Pizzagaki]

Could be personal taste, but this game entertains me more then Grid did.

[Pizzagaki]

This game is better then the Need for speeds from the last few years.
But it just wont look very good compared to Forza.
I am still having fun with Need4speed tho, until Forza comes out.

[Sarcasm]

You're going to agree with me on this because it's you, but I have to say Forza 3 will be completely superior to this game. Heck, Forza 2 despite it's dated visuals has wayyyyyyy better physics.

[DARK WITNESS]

i am not so sure what to think about this game now...

i was looking forward to it as a replacement to PGR. I mean i knew it would never be as good as forza, but some of the comments are really starting to make me think twice. should i get it or is it not worth it ?

[Boody-Bandit]

My only complaint is the layout of the campaign mode. I opened the final tier in no time at all. If I wanted to I could compete in the 3 NFS World events and technically the game would be completed.

I think this game is a lot better than a 7 rating. Most other sites are rating it in the upper 8's and low 9's. I just purchased the Zonda R and Bugatti. They are sick. Online I am having more fun with it then I ever did PGR, Grid or Dirt.

It's a blast to play.

Sarcasm it was never meant to be Forza or GT. Why should it? You know some people actually like variety. Arcade, Sim, Rally, a mix between (PGR, Shift, GRID). This is a really good game.

Is it an amazing game? No but it is a hell of a lot of fun. This game is slow at first but it evolves into a pure adrenaline rush edge of your seat game when you hit the upper tiers. I myself didn't like it at first but now I cant wait to find time to play it again.

[Sarcasm]

RENT IT. That's all I can say. It does capture the frantic pace and has the best car sounds (IMO). But it's nowhere near the same quality as Forza and GT.

[Midane]

You have to be silly for comparing a hardcore simulation like Gran Turismo and an arcade racer like Need for Speed. NFS has stepped it up...big time!And more than a 7 should definitely be in. For example, sites like GameTrailers and IGN rewarded the game with a 9+ score. So, who is to be trusted?If you can still remember...about all the Kane&Lynch dilema and GameSpot actually firing a reviewer for being honest and rewarding the game with a weak score (background: the game promo was in the background of the site)...I definitely know whom to trust? ;)

[Grimhammer00]

I'm a bit confused. I play a lot of racers - I have Dirt 2 and NFS: Shift. I like Forza and GT but I am not into the Sim aspect of racing...other than simple buying upgrades (like equiping an RPG character LOL).

So, I'm reading everyone's response here and I'm totally disconnected. I love HFS:Shift! I've never played in co@kpit before - but NFS just feels right! I play with a controller and have no issues at all with the controls or lag...lag? Wtf? none of that on PS3.

I'll probably get GT5 & Forza 3 - but here's what NFS does better. And yeah I'm pretty sure I can say that even though those titles aren't even out yet.

-car selection (I know you think i'm crazy! how can nfs have better car selection?!!!! Well, it DOESN'T have crap cars filling in the roster! Why the Fu$k would I want to play a minivan? I want only the best cars....screw 400 for Forza3 or 1000 in GT5....madness!)

-speed. yep, hate to say it but GT series and Forza have always felt slow as sim. Yeah I say sim because it's realistic - but I'm playing a game here, I play for excitement. I'm not talking about sliding around corners at 200mph excitement (which is totally unrealistic)...but I want to feel fear when I'm hitting 247mph! NFS Shift runs at 60fps (not 30fps ala Forza 3) and it's amazing sense of speed inside or outside the co@kpit.

Anyhow, it's a fun game, the non-racing menu aspects are a little uninspired. still nice - but Dirt 2 integrates menu's so well it has raised the bar in that regard.

I do know that Forza 3 & GT5 will destroy NFSshift in many ways - but the feeling of actually racing a super car at 200+mph will probably be more intense and thrilling in NFSshift.

[Boody-Bandit]

Shift has the most amazing c0ckpit camera ever implemented into a racing game. It is a sheer adrenaline rush edge of your seat racer. Did you buy "the works" for your tier 3 cars and race them against the super cars in the tier 4 event yet? That is incredible!

Shift takes the tracks used in sim racers and actually makes them fun. There is no doubt as far as overall quality GT and Forza are ahead of this title but this game is a most OWN for any race fan.

Of course if you are sheer sim fan this game might not be for you but if you are a guy that just digs racers in general this is a MUST BUY game.

[Deafman420]

on a community game i just made. You guys wanna buy it? Its the sh!t. It got a big fat EA logo on it so come on guys give up the money.

Some of you guys will never learn and so ea will never make quality need for speed games anymore. Simple as that.

[Deafman420]

Some of you guys actually paid good money thinking EA was finally going to make a decent N4Speed game... again? Seriously, did you?

[Boody-Bandit]

So a game with an overall rating of "85" is now considered a bad game.

BTW EA didn't, like most of EA "published" titles, actually make the game. Slightly Mad Studios created Shift. The people at SMS were responsible for the GTR series on the PC. Some of the best sim games ever made.

People really need to try games for themselves and not just for a few minutes before forming their opinions. Also do your homework before purchasing games. This is not a sim nor a arcade game. It's a nice blend like PGR but much more dynamic.

This game is far from perfect but it was very nicely done. I just hope it sells well so EA will have SMS make a sequel.

[Deafman420]

across the board are Overrated.

[Boody-Bandit]

you're a waste of space on N4G but I am going to +bubble you because I am an idiot for responding to you in the first place. In others words I am bubbling you because I was dumb enough to take the bait of a ******* *****. I'll leave it to you to fill in the *.

[Deafman420]

and actually didn't say its a "bad" game. It's just that compared to old need for speeds from the glory dayz, the bar just keeps getting lower and lower on EA logo'd "Need For Speed" games. But that's just my opinion. I'm entitled to an opinion here aren't I?

[Boody-Bandit]

If you played and completed the game? Yes you are entitled to your opinion.
If you didn't? Then sure you can give an opinion but it has zero credibility.

I went into this game thinking OMG here we go again. I rented it. After a couple hours I wasn't feeling the game. I thought it was deinfitely better than past NFS games (the past couple years that is) but not up to the level of GRID and PGR <-- games it actually resembles.

After a few hours of tweaks and getting into faster cars and more challenging tiers the game rapidly getting better. Now after completing the game I can wait to find time to play it some more. I enjoyed it so much that I went out to pick it up another copy so I can play and complete it on both the PS3 and 360.

[JonnyBigBoss]

Well, that's a bummer to say the least.

[Boody-Bandit]

If you like racing games even a little bit?
PLAY THIS GAME!
Rent it, buy it, borrow it or steal it.
But play this game for yourself.

Reviews are completely worthless and have been this whole generation.

[Deafman420]

maybe thats the difference between us- you got money to blow, you can do that and so, rather a game lives up to your expectations or even close or not, spending the $$ for it's nothing (You own both copies on both consoles) Whereas a cost conscious game buyers' more concerned that the game they purchase is WORTH their money, especially when the game costs over 50 bucks. In EA's case, if you were the type of gamer that fell in love with their earlier N4Speed games such as Most Wanted and some others before it, there would be no suprise that you'd be wary of spending 50 bucks+ on a franchise you're used to seeing gutted the past few years. I actually planned to rent the game sometime later next month so no, I haven't played it. I've actually been around long enough to know by now how good need for speed games can be but I've also been around long enough to have a sense of how much EA's gutting the franshise.
You got the money to burn, buy it. I'd rather listen to reviews of the gamers talking about it on the message boards rather than rely on an "overall 8.5" review.
"In others words I am bubbling you because I was dumb enough to take the bait of a ******* *****."
Thanks for the bubble, you really didn't have to, though it would've meant more if I didn't get the sense that you took these message boards seriously to the point that you had to refrain to name calling... over a GAME!? I take it, you're not actually past the ages 17-18 are u?
So brutallyhonest, word of advice--->> we're discussing a Game here, not issues that Impact our lives.
---->> or is your life impacted by em? hmmm

[Boody-Bandit]

you're a waste of space on N4G

[Deafman420]

Credibility or not, this is a Video Game Message Board duh!
*Why So Serious?"