Need for Speed: Shift

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Need for Speed: Shift
File:Need for Speed Shift.jpg
Cover art with a BMW M3 E92 GT2
Developer(s) Slightly Mad Studios
EA Bright Light (PSP)
Publisher(s) Electronic Arts
Director(s) Andy Garton
Producer(s) Suzy Wallace
Designer(s) Andy Tudor
Programmer(s) Ged Keaveney
Composer(s) Stephen Baysted
Mick Gordon
Mark Morgan
Series Need for Speed
Platforms Microsoft Windows
PlayStation 3
Xbox 360
PlayStation Portable
iOS[1]
Android
Symbian
Windows Mobile
MeeGo
J2ME
Release date(s)
  • NA: 15 September 2009[1]
  • EU: 17 September 2009[2]
  • UK: 18 September 2009
  • AUS: 24 September 2009[3]
  • JP: 12 November 2009
Genre(s) Racing
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Need for Speed: Shift (occasionally styled as Need for Speed: SHIFT) is the thirteenth installment and second reboot of the racing video game franchise Need for Speed; published by Electronic Arts. It was announced in December 2008 as part of a three-game announcement that includes Need for Speed: Nitro and Need for Speed: World.[4] Shift was developed by Slightly Mad Studios in conjunction with EA Bright Light and published by Electronic Arts. In the new franchising model for the series adopted by EA, Shift takes its place focusing on simulation/arcade racing rather than the arcade racing of previous titles in the series. Shift was followed by a sequel, Shift 2: Unleashed, in 2011.[5]

Gameplay

Aimed at a hardcore gamer-style audience, Shift reverts to the touring-car simulation style of its 2007 predecessor. Although the gameplay of these two titles are similar, Shift recreates car handling much more realistically than its predecessor, and does not contain a story. Upon starting the career mode, the player performs two laps around the Brands Hatch racecourse to determine his or her skill. Once completed, the player is welcomed to the 'NFS Live World Series', and must earn stars in races to earn money, and unlock new races and tiers.

There are 60+ cars which are divided into 5 tiers. Tier 1 refers to entry-level sports and luxury cars like the Audi TT and Infiniti G35, tier 2 refers to mid-level performance cars like the BMW M3, tier 3 refers to supercars like the Lamborghini Gallardo and tier 4 refers to hypercars like the Bugatti Veyron, or Pagani Zonda R. The car customization options include cosmetics as well as performance mods and is more in depth than previous titles, affecting aspects such as alignment, aerodynamics, tires, brakes, differential, and gears.[6] Nitrous is also an option for tuning, but different from previous Need for Speed titles as it is simulated more realistically.[6] There are body kits which affect the aerodynamics and weight reduction. There are visual customization options like rims, vinyls and paints.

There are 19 tracks in total including real world circuits such as Brands Hatch, Nurburgring Nordschleife, Road America, Spa, Silverstone, Willow Springs, Donington Park and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.[7]

Development

File:Nfs-shift-promo.jpg
In-game screenshot[8]

According to an interview from Shift's producer, Geever, the game spent two years in development. He also mentioned that the game features a new "Driver experience". G-force plays an important role in the game, as it affects both the player and the AI. The in-car view also returns, making its first appearance in a Need for Speed game since Porsche Unleashed. The in-car view is highly detailed, and it is possible to see the driver changing gears and moving his head to get a better view of the mirror. The crashes affect the player's visuals. While crashing, there is a temporary blur on screen. The sound aspect have detailed car crash sound, as well as a sharp gasp of breath from the driver before a collision.[4]

The soundtrack of Shift remains similar to that of EA's prior driving sim, Need for Speed: ProStreet, featuring a scored soundtrack rather than a general track list[9] as is seen in previous titles such as Need for Speed: Most Wanted, and Need for Speed: Carbon.[10]

Patches & addons

EA promised that patches would be released with new features in addition to bug fixes. Patch 1.01 added LAN (Local Area Network) play and mouse support, providing full menu navigation to the game, to the PC version. Patch 1.02 added 5 cars (Toyota Supra Mk IV, 1971 Dodge Challenger R/T, 1969 Dodge Charger R/T, 1967 Corvette and 1967 Shelby GT-500) and a new online "Team Racing" game mode, where a Blue team of racers runs against a Red Team. In addition, the 1.02 patch fixed several performance issues (especially with ATI video cards), improved gameplay, and increased the maximum number of players online from 8 to 12.[11]

On February 16, 2010 EA released Ferrari DLC pack for Xbox 360 that contains 10 Ferraris, also extends the Shift's career mode with 46 new Ferrari specific challenges designed for the Ferrari cars to participate in including hot laps, eliminators, endurance races and a world tour. Completing the perfect Ferrari package are an additional 125 gamerpoints as a reward for undertaking various exciting challenges. Available on Xbox 360 for 800 Microsoft Points[12] the Ferraris available include the 575 Superamerica, F430 Scuderia Spider 16M, California, 599 GTB Fiorano, F430 Spider, 430 Scuderia, F430 GTC, F430 Challenge, F50 GT & Ferrari FXX. An Exotic Racing Pack was also released for PS3 and Xbox 360 which features cars like the McLaren MP4-12C, the BMW M1, the Gumpert Apollo, the Acura NSX, the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, the Maserati GranTurismo S and the Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss.

Release

Platform specific

The PlayStation Portable of the game offers local, ad hoc multiplayer, with no online multiplayer support.

Marketing

  • In addition to the standard edition, a "Special Edition" of the game has been released exclusive to Europe. The Special Edition features numerous bonuses over the standard edition, including exclusive packaging, a poster of the game, and an unlockable car and race which are redeemable online.[13]
  • Shift was released as a bundle with the PlayStation 3 Slim 250GB to promote the game in Europe.[3]
  • To promote the game in Australia, a TV special, Need for Speed: Shift Challenge, was broadcast on One HD before the game's release. The special pitted two teams of Australian athletes against each other in both the game and at Oran Park Raceway.[citation needed]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores
Aggregator Score
GameRankings (PS3) 83.59%[14]
(X360) 82.84%[15]
(PC) 82.36%[16]
(PSP) 69.60%[17]
Metacritic (PS3) 84/100[18]
(X360) 83/100[19]
(PC) 83/100[20]
(PSP) 69/100[21]
Review scores
Publication Score
Eurogamer 7/10[22]
IGN 9/10[23]
OXM 9/10[24]
Play 81%[25]
X-Play 5/5[26]

Need for Speed: Shift was met with positive reviews. Aggregating review websites GameRankings and Metacritic gave the PlayStation 3 version 83.59% and 84/100,[14][18] the Xbox 360 version 82.84% and 83/100,[15][19] the PC version 82.36% and 83/100[16][20] and the PlayStation Portable version 69.60% and 69/100.[17][21]

IGN awarded it 9 out of 10 citing among other things an incredible driving experience and excellent sound effects, IGN also gave it an Editors' Choice award.[23]

Official Xbox Magazine awarded Shift with 9/10 saying that it has an outstanding driver’s view; a deep, addictive career mode with lots of variety and options; sharp multiplayer racing counts toward single-player career. Official Xbox Magazine has also nominated it for editors choice award.[24]

Eurogamer gave it a 7/10, saying, "If the skittish handling and overbearing, messy advancement can be reined in, Need for Speed could have a future in its newly serious and somewhat crowded surroundings. But with the infinitely more comprehensive Forza Motorsport 3 and Gran Turismo 5 looming in the very near distance, it's hard to see the point in this second-stringer this time around, for console players at least. And given Need for Speed's recent, confused history, you shouldn't count on it wearing the same face next year."[22]

Need for Speed: Shift sold 309,000 units in the United States in September 2009.[27]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Play magazine review, issue 184, Imagine Publishing
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.[permanent dead link]
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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