Need for Speed: Shift 2 Unleashed
Need for Speed: Shift 2 Unleashed is without a doubt the first time you will ever experience what it’s like to really be the driver in a racing game, not just the car. It is a meaner, dirtier game and while it does lag behind in realism it sure makes up for it in the excitement, grit and the agony of defeat. The game plays more like a debut though, not as an installment in a series. It’s youthful, fresh and nearly flawless.
Storyline
Like the other 16 titles in the franchise, Need for Speed: Shift 2 Unleashed has not been designed to satisfy the needs of those who desire a storyline. However, if you came to race and do a little drifting, that’s exactly what you’ll do here. It is a direct sequel to Need for Speed: Shift that was released in 2009. Shift 2 Unleashed features 145 different cars from various manufacturers and 36 tracks created for the sole purpose of racing.
Gameplay
The first huge change in Shift 2 Unleashed is the helmet cam. The first person perspective that it offers changes the world of racing! This not only gives you more control over your ride, similar to the way a first-person shooter game does, it elevates the realism, you’re more affected when you crash.
You will find that the way that the ride over-steers around corners is certainly still there only now it’s been ratcheted a bit so it’s not so sloppy. Your turns still may go across a field but that’s only because you’re creating that outcome, not because you’ve necessarily lost control.
Leveling up has been noticeably reworked in Need for Speed: Shift 2 Unleashed. You are no longer bombarded with the endless feedback so you have a little more freedom to go ahead and adapt the way you want to the track without having to hear about it in the end.
Shift 2 Unleashed still rewards you for won races and completed corners only now those points are hidden until after the race. You’ll also find the same currency system as in the previous game where you can unlock upgrades, races, cars and levels as you progress. The only downside to this game is that with the lack of new features, seasoned Need for Speed gamers may feel a bit cheated but if you’re new to the franchise, it is beyond a solid purchase.
Graphics
The graphics in Shift 2 Unleashed are good but not amazing by any means. They’re crisp and detailed enough to deter any whining from those gamers who are always looking for a reason to hate a game however, they are nowhere near being outstanding enough where they’ll come up in conversation. Although you can’t do anything about the environments or the detail, you can make sure that the game you are playing is as clean as possible. Shift 2 Unleashed allows you to really fine tune the graphics to your liking. You can literally choose from low to high as well as everything in between.
Conclusion
Need for Speed: Shift 2 Unleashed is a welcome addition to the franchise. The controls are tighter, leveling up is tweaked, loads are faster and there are minimal cut scenes. If you’ve played all of its predecessors, will you feel a little irritated with the lack of additional features? Probably, but not enough to make you want to stop playing. The helmet cam alone makes the game worth buying, everything else is just an added bonus.
8 / 10