|
Shift seems like a pretty good name for the latest installment in the ever
popular Need for Speed franchise. After endlessly colliding into myriads of
mediocrity post Most Wanted, Shift takes the franchise into a completely
different direction; a more refined and realistic/simulative form of racing. Its
now gunning for top prize with the likes of other major franchises such as Gran
Turismo, Forza Motorsport and Project Gotham Racing.
As soon as you fire the game up, you'll be taken straight to the racing track
as the game will gauge your skills and by the end of it, it will automatically
set the difficulty and assistance levels for your benefit. From there on, it
will recommend various stuff such as handling model choices and even the A.I
difficulty settings. The good thing is that you can tweak those according to
your will. But in-spite of all these niceties, SHIFT feels a little bit undone
when compared to the heavyweights.
 |
One reason is the rewards system. Players can earn more points and rewards
just by doing some crazy and highly boring stuff on the track. You earn points
on the basis of precision and aggression. To earn more of each, you either have
got to collide into other opponents for gaining aggression points, or you got to
stick to your driving to earn some precision points. The game makes it
incredibly difficult for the player to gain both together. You either drive a
race like a good boy, or tumble and run in without caring about winning or
making a good race.
On paper, it sounds fine. It has got a great lineup of cars and tracks. The
visual presentation is great, with beautiful car models. It even has a great
cock-pit view, if you dig that sort of thing. But it feels stuck between the
arcade and the simulative racing world, and essentially, it fails to fully
satisfy any type of racing fan.
|