News Post

Need for Speed Shift Available, Post Impressions Here

08:55 PM - September 15, 2009 by Steve_OS

GET INTO THE DRIVERS SEAT WITH NEED FOR SPEED SHIFT

Award-Winning SHIFT is Heralded by Game Critics as
One of the Best Need for Speed Games Ever

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – September 15, 2009 – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced that Need for Speed™ SHIFT hits retail stores today in North America and across Europe on September 17. Receiving high marks from the top videogame media including a nine out of 10 from IGN PlayStation: The Official Magazine and Official Xbox Magazine. Need for Speed SHIFT delivers a true driver’s experience with a stunning cockpit view, deep career mode and amazing car roster.

Need for Speed SHIFT redefines the racing genre with the combination of real world physics with perception based G-forces. The game includes a brutal first person crash dynamic to create an immersive cockpit view. When combined with the all-new driver profile, which gives each player a unique persona based on their driving skill and style, Need for Speed SHIFT is the most realistic and intensive authentic racing game ever.

“Without a doubt, Need for Speed SHIFT is the first racing game that accurately delivers the physical and emotional sensation of being behind the wheel of a race car,” said Patrick Soderlund, Senior Vice President of EA Games Europe. “I’m confident this game not only reinvigorates the entire Need for Speed franchise but it actually changes the way people will view and appreciate racing games.”

Need for Speed SHIFT is available for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system, PC, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system and iPhone. More information can be found at www.needforspeed.com or follow us on Twitter at NeedforSpeed.

Need for Speed Shift screenshot gallery - Click to view

Game: Need for Speed ShiftReader Score: 7.5/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3 / PSP / Xbox 360Votes for game: 10 - View All

Need for Speed Shift Videos

Member Comments

# 21 Glenn33 @ 09/16/09 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sb24


	2 questions. Do you customize your car? Does tuning your car make a big difference?

1) Yes - But the options are very limited. You can basically choose the color of the car or pick a preset "package" of deigns. You can also add sponsor decals to your car as you unlock them.
2) Yes it does.

# 22 Heelfan71 @ 09/16/09 04:50 PM

Picked it up today...

Fun game. Not too sim and not too arcade. Perfect blend for me.

# 23 Glenn33 @ 09/16/09 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goh


	Sound is great but I'm not impressed by the graphics at all. Maybe I've been spoiled by DiRT 2.

Really? I have Dirt 2 sitting in my console right now and to me at worst it's a wash.

# 24 DubTrey1 @ 09/16/09 05:13 PM

I think I am also spoiled by DiRT 2 as well (and GriD to a degree) - Shift is nice, but the lack of car damage is a bit of a turn off for me. Although it does have some cosmetic damage modeling, there is not enough for my liking. I was barreling down the track at around 110 mph and rear ended another AI car and it did next to nothing to either of our cars. Over all, Shift is a nice experience, but I will wait for Forza 3 to roll up to see what is offered. Otherwise, I could truly see spending a purchase on DiRT 2 for my driving fix -

# 25 Peninc @ 09/16/09 05:52 PM

one of the best racing games ever made period

# 26 Peninc @ 09/16/09 05:54 PM

one of the best racing games ever made period

# 27 Heelfan71 @ 09/16/09 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DubTrey1


	I think I am also spoiled by DiRT 2 as well (and GriD to a degree) - Shift is nice, but the lack of car damage is a bit of a turn off for me. Although it does have some cosmetic damage modeling, there is not enough for my liking. I was barreling down the track at around 110 mph and rear ended another AI car and it did next to nothing to either of our cars. Over all, Shift is a nice experience, but I will wait for Forza 3 to roll up to see what is offered. Otherwise, I could truly see spending a purchase on DiRT 2 for my driving fix -

do you have full damage on? I have damage on right now but just visual until I learn how to drive.

# 28 Flawless @ 09/16/09 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DubTrey1


	I think I am also spoiled by DiRT 2 as well (and GriD to a degree) - Shift is nice, but the lack of car damage is a bit of a turn off for me. Although it does have some cosmetic damage modeling, there is not enough for my liking. I was barreling down the track at around 110 mph and rear ended another AI car and it did next to nothing to either of our cars. Over all, Shift is a nice experience, but I will wait for Forza 3 to roll up to see what is offered. Otherwise, I could truly see spending a purchase on DiRT 2 for my driving fix -

But does the damage affect the performance of the car in a realistic manner? That's all I would care about. Damage modeling looks fine to me from this shot.

Your not going to see the kind of damage modeling that's in Dirt and Grid, in Forza 3 or GT5 either.

# 29 Pappy Knuckles @ 09/16/09 09:53 PM

I never cared much about extensive damage modeling. I only drive in cockpit view, so I wouldn't be able to see it anyway. It's pretty good to me though.

# 30 gbx34 @ 09/16/09 10:16 PM

Got it, Been playing most of the day.

I am playing with the DFGT wheel it is okay at best, driveable, but does not feel as good as GT;PL.

I cant seem to change any of the buttons for the wheel. I cannot look around inside the cockpit which is terrible.

# 31 Triggerfish @ 09/16/09 11:03 PM

http://www.xbox360digest.com/2009/09...r-speed-shift/

nice review!

# 32 SouthernBrick @ 09/17/09 02:31 AM

Damn I was't expecting this many good compliments about the game. I was interested in getting this game because it looks fun as hell and this may be the first time the cockpit view has caught my interest. The last couple of games of the NFS series has been terrible as the Madden series but this game looks and sounds like its worth getting. I like the way the series has tried to take it more sim than arcade but, keep a little arcade in the blend.

With all the reviews and most of the opinions of OSers I may just go and spend some money on this game at gamestop. I like the pro racing but, I hope they take it back to the streets soon. Hopin to get this game soon.

# 33 Glenn33 @ 09/17/09 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flawless


	But does the damage affect the performance of the car in a realistic manner? That's all I would care about. Damage modeling looks fine to me from this shot.

I would say no truth be told. The damage in this game is very forgiving.

# 34 LucianoJJ @ 09/17/09 03:39 PM

I've avoided the last several NFS games. Running from the cops just didn't appeal to me. When I read Slightly Mad Studios (ex-GTR people) were on board to go the sim route, I followed all of the updates, read the reviews, and checked the forums. I could not hold out any longer and bought the game last night.
While the game isn't perfect, without a ton of cars, a realistic damage model, or an infinite amount of tracks and street circuits, it is fun, and it is impressive. The in-car view is great, the tracks and cars are great eye candy, and the structure of the career mode keeps you playing. Scoring points easily and often means just about anyone could unlock something while playing this game. There is a bit of an overemphasis on trading paint and aggressive driving, which prevents this from truly being considered a sim.
I've played Colin McRae Rally games for years, tried a few NASCAR games (Sierra being the best), Forza on original Xbox, PGR, and I am a big fan of F1:CE and GTR2. DiRT was a huge letdown for me. While Shift isn't exactly the sim I was hoping for, it is a good set of wheels that will tide me over until GT5 and Codemasters' F1 games are released.

# 35 lnin0 @ 09/17/09 05:08 PM

Picked it up last night and played with the controller to get a quick feel for it (wheel stand it setup for iRacing and was too lazy to switch it out with the 360 wheel).

Initial feel was horrible. I don't know what they are thinking but the default setup just feels twitchy and wrong. I don't know how anyone could enjoy it right out of the box and will be game killer for those who don't investigate settings. But maybe that is just me. Lots of people liked Grid and I loathed the feel of those controls.

I put my steering deadzone down to 12% (was at 50%) and turned the sensitivity up to 50% (from 25%). I think they had such a large dead zone and low sensitivity that the only inputs it registered where drastic moves. I feel like I have much more subtle control now although it still feels a bit twitchy at times.

I turned the breaking sensitivity down to 25% and the acceleration sensitivity down to 35%. Both were at 50%. This helped with less lock up and being able to apply power evenly without coming unglued.

The physics are alright. Not in league with Race Pro or Forza. You can sense they wanted cars to power slide a bit more than normal but unfortunately didn't achieve this with the finesse of a PGR. You abruptly lose traction. It comes unnaturally early and then your car finds this uncanny drift grip that holds far to well. Kind of like a less arcade version of Grid leaning a bit more toward the old Race Driver series.

Didn't play online but did look at options. Max 8 racers and you can mix in AI for non-ranked games. No host options to lock handling or damage settings which seems like an oversight. Damage is subtle even on max so it might not matter online. Someone who has played maybe able to answer what the default seems to be. You can lock cars to a specific class or all same and if AI is involved you can set their skill. Didn't check max laps. No pits, gas or tire wear in game at all.

I'll get the wheel setup by the weekend and post some impressions. Hopefully this improves the feel. Overall its fun but probably not going to keep anyone's interest for more than a couple weeks. I cannot see myself coming back to it like I come back to Forza or Race Pro. The driving just does not demand that type of respect.

# 36 Heelfan71 @ 09/17/09 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lnin0


	I put my steering deadzone down to 12% (was at 50%) and turned the sensativity up to 50% (from 25%). I think they had such a large dead zone and low sensativity that the only thing you get is drastic moves. I feel like I have much more subtle control now although it still feels a bit twitchy at times.

Will have to change my settings. Biggest problem for me is you barely press the L stick and the car turns too much or too easy IMO. Also I can't make it through many curves without screeching the tires. Might be because I am using Automatic at the moment.

# 37 lnin0 @ 09/18/09 11:38 AM

Setup the 360 wireless wheel last night for round two with Shift. Unlike the problems I had with the default sensativity on the controller the default wheel settings seem pretty good. I did need to adjust the brake sensativity though and still find it way to easy to lock the brakes up in this game.

So the good news is that with the wheel the car responds 100x better than with the controller. The twitchy movement is all but gone. The bad news is that the game does not seem to be created with the wheel in mind. Because you lose grip so early on these cars the advantage of driving smooth with a wheel is almost negated. The car physics respond much better to throwing the car around the track which is easier with the twitchy controller setup. It is kind of a toss up as to which I like better. I feel I have smoother control with the wheel but the style of driving the game is built on seems easier to do with the controller.

Control issues aside I discovered my real issue with this game - the AI. I am on Tier 2 now so the AI has a little more speed to hang around. Problem is the AI is terrible. I am not sure I wouldn't prefer the GT parade of cars - at least you know what they are going to do.

For starters Shifts AI is blind to you and your car 50% of the time. They have no problem cutting into your cars as if you didn't exist. The majority of the time this means you go flying. Even if it only forces you to get two wheels off you are in trouble. In most games if you put two wheels off you don't want to yank the wheel back toward the track and slam the gas. In Shift you do, otherwise the quicksand will slow you and suck you off the track further.

So what about the 50% of the time the AI does see you? You would think this is a good thing but in Shift it is not. If they see you odds are they will come straight across the track to block you or give you a rub. I'm not talking friendly stuff here - I am talking BurnOut takedown stuff with guys weaving to take you out. Tap the back of the AI car that did this or take a hit to the side and out of control you go. Since you start at the back of the pack in most races getting through lap 1 of 2 becomes frustrating difficult.

The other problem the AI has is cornering. They are insanely slow on corners to the point three or more cars bunched up at a corner will almost come to a stop. There is an insane amount of brake checking and swinging two and three wide in tight corners (they seem to noticed and avoid each other just fine). Races are so short that you really don't have the time to wait for the packs to spread out so you can overtake one on one in the corners.

Because of the AI at Laguna Seca, a track I know very well, I turned the game off last night. It was litterally unbearable trying to get a decent first lap in 10 tries.

I am not an agressive driver badge either so I don't get why so many of the AI seem out to get me. The entire agressive / precission thing is kind of stupid to begin with. Drafting is agressive?? Really? I don't understand this gimmick. Why not make agressive things bad that take away points from what you earn during the race. Encourage people to be clean drivers instead of douches.

# 38 BIG CAROLINA @ 09/18/09 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lnin0


	Picked it up last night and played with the controller to get a quick feel for it (wheel stand it setup for iRacing and was too lazy to switch it out with the 360 wheel). Initial feel was horrible. I don't know what they are thinking but the default setup just feels twitchy and wrong. I don't know how anyone could enjoy it right out of the box and will be game killer for those who don't investigate settings. But maybe that is just me. Lots of people liked Grid and I loathed the feel of those controls. I put my steering deadzone down to 12% (was at 50%) and turned the sensitivity up to 50% (from 25%). I think they had such a large dead zone and low sensitivity that the only inputs it registered where drastic moves. I feel like I have much more subtle control now although it still feels a bit twitchy at times. I turned the breaking sensitivity down to 25% and the acceleration sensitivity down to 35%. Both were at 50%. This helped with less lock up and being able to apply power evenly without coming unglued. The physics are alright. Not in league with Race Pro or Forza. You can sense they wanted cars to power slide a bit more than normal but unfortunately didn't achieve this with the finesse of a PGR. You abruptly lose traction. It comes unnaturally early and then your car finds this uncanny drift grip that holds far to well. Kind of like a less arcade version of Grid leaning a bit more toward the old Race Driver series. Didn't play online but did look at options. Max 8 racers and you can mix in AI for non-ranked games. No host options to lock handling or damage settings which seems like an oversight. Damage is subtle even on max so it might not matter online. Someone who has played maybe able to answer what the default seems to be. You can lock cars to a specific class or all same and if AI is involved you can set their skill. Didn't check max laps. No pits, gas or tire wear in game at all. I'll get the wheel setup by the weekend and post some impressions. Hopefully this improves the feel. Overall its fun but probably not going to keep anyone's interest for more than a couple weeks. I cannot see myself coming back to it like I come back to Forza or Race Pro. The driving just does not demand that type of respect.

Thanks for this Inin,

You tend to like the same racing games that I do and your post here settles it for me, not buying. I am not falling for this one like I did Grid, thanks for saving me the money.

# 39 RunN1st @ 09/18/09 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIG CAROLINA


	Thanks for this Inin, You tend to like the same racing games that I do and your post here settles it for me, not buying. I am not falling for this one like I did Grid, thanks for saving me the money.

Agreed, BC.

# 40 Heelfan71 @ 09/18/09 06:33 PM

I am on the PS3 version, why do I have to select my language every time I play the game??? like that on the 360??

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