EA's perennial ever-changing racing game is back, and for 2009 it's splitting into three strands, aimed at core, casual and free-play audiences. With Shift being the (hard)core title, the focus is on a more simulation style of gameplay, and EA is claiming that the game is built by racers, for racers. (Though in reality, it's probably built by programmers who race a little bit in their spare time for gamers who don't). The game is being produced in collaboration between EA and Slightly Mad St ... more >>

EA's perennial ever-changing racing game is back, and for 2009 it's splitting into three strands, aimed at core, casual and free-play audiences. With Shift being the (hard)core title, the focus is on a more simulation style of gameplay, and EA is claiming that the game is built by racers, for racers. (Though in reality, it's probably built by programmers who race a little bit in their spare time for gamers who don't). The game is being produced in collaboration between EA and Slightly Mad Studios, who under their former name of Blimey! Games were at least peripherally involved in the creation of GT Legends and GTR2, which was one of the best driving games of 2006.

The first person in-car viewpoint returns for the first time since NfS Porsche Unleashed in 2000, and the detailed cockpit is reputed to give the realistic feeling of racing at high speed. Though an outside camera is available too, if you prefer. Camera tricks like depth of field compression and blurring add to the sense of realism. These same effects go into turbo mode when you crash - giving a visual overload of shattered, blurring visuals. Vehicle deformation is the inevitable result of crashing, and once your car is stoved in it handles differently from when it's straight and shiny.

The focus of Shift is more on drifting, and the G-force meter plays an vital part in the game. Knowing when your car is on the limit of traction and how it will perform once grip gives way is vital to getting your racing line right and your lap times down.

Gone are the police and the open world environments of recent NfS games, and in their place is a Gran Turismo-style track racing game. Gone is the car modding and garage building. In their place is a focus on career building and sim style racing. The action takes place across a series of beautifully modeled real and imaginary race-tracks, including some cityscapes that will be familiar to fans of the PGR games. Shift is the first Need for Speed aimed at serious driving fans... those with more arcade based racing tastes will be advised to wait for NfS: Nitro - but that's Wii and DS only. << less