Need for Speed Shift!!!

[rick@garage16.ca]

Looks like Need for Speed Shift will be coming out Sept 22 for Xbox & PS3


Anyone gonna get your hands on a copy?


Looks kind of good

Need for Speed Shift Racing

[Slade]

I love the NFS series, im anxiously waiting for Shift to be released :bana

[JSI]

Forza 3 > anything NFS

[sp3GT]

I stopped playing NFS since Carbon, just lost interest I guess...

Whats this one about?

[Fobio]

Forza 3 > anything NFS

this wasn't always the case...Forza 1 was darkly lit, overly tight confines, etc. The franchise has definitely improved and has now taken over as the top racing sim since GT:P and GT5 are nowhere near delivering on what we expect.

And then there's the NFS series...which was amazing all the way up to Porsche Unleashed, well, even Hot Pursuit 2...simple, technical driving, no blur vision to make it seem fast...no BS customization/plot...just straight up hand/eye coordination...

Once NFS: Underground came out to capture the Fast and Furious crowd, it all went down hill...bloated graphics, console based...

Recently, the better driving games have been DiRT, Grid, Race Driver 3...I don't own a 360, so no more Forza for me either...

I hope Shift will bring back some of that unadulterated racing/speeding that NFS was known for...I still remember the first Hot Pursuit...and finishing Porsche Unleashed...

[JSI]

Oh yes, Porsche Unleashed was a great game. Those were the good days of Need for Speed. My comment was directed towards the modern versions. I had forgotten about the great old ones.

Grid was meh to me, I do love the physics in RacePro :)

[WingZero_]

I fully anticipate Shift being another Pro Street, which was a waste of money.

[dentinger]

Forza 3 > anything NFS
BOOYA!


I stopped playing NFS since Carbon, just lost interest I guess...

same. i played prostreet for a while, but got tired of rolling my EVO or totalling cars.


Oh yes, Porsche Unleashed was a great game. Those were the good days of Need for Speed. My comment was directed towards the modern versions. I had forgotten about the great old ones.


i LOVED porsche unleashed.
the key to the game:
buy the REALLY expensive race cars from the generation your in, then sell them for insane profits when you move to the next generation.

[towelsnap]

reminds me of "grid" but with less options and better graphics

[WLS ZMZM]

Im not gonna lie.... I have been an avid nfs player since the beginning and while most are right.. that the series has kind of lost its touch... undercover gave me faith... and brought me back into it..... as for shift.. I cant wait!!! all I can hope is taht its better then pro street cuz that was the one that I lost interest in...

[Kevin@nextmod]

the last 2 version of NFS was total bullshit. I hope this will be better.

[Riftler]

This NFS looks amazing, but Im really disapointed they made it so much like Grid and not keep the open world like Underground (which was the best IMO). but regardless I am still looking forward to this game

[DruidB]

The Best NFS was the original "Road and Tracks The Need for Speed" for the Panasonic 3DO... .. I own all the Gran Turismo's but the Forza franchise is the best consol race series atm...

[mzkaye729]

I stopped playing NFS since Carbon, just lost interest I guess...

I could say the same. I loved "Carbon" though and I played (and finished) the game A LOT as I was obsessed with it hahaha

[coriolis]

I'm enjoying GT5:P with my Logitech G25, looking forward to GT5, hopefully Shift will keep me entertained for a few years.....:P

[cwp_sedan]

Most wanted was the best that came out for NFS. Unfortunately they never recaptured that in the last few, though they have been so so.

Here's a TV trailer that I thought made the game look pretty good.

EDIT: Changed to HD youtube link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0oPwSu1G5M

[Sergiomax11]

Wow that looks amazing i think its time for me to get a ps3 :P now i need to get that game and UFC xD

[BiG-ED]

the NFS games have lost a lot of their credibility in the past few years
but this is definitely a step in the right direction.

[Slade]

I just did a quick review on it for another forum...here is my opinion.

Game: Need For Speed Shift
Platform Tested: Xbox 360

Well, time for NFSS test of time.
I managed to play this a little, and when I say little, it's due to the game taking FOREVER to load a bloody course. Most game's loading times I can deal with, but this is almost eye gouging long.

After waiting so many times, I thought maybe if it is installed on the Hard Drive it may increase the load time? wrong, it takes just as long!

The controls are good, it feels pretty realistic in a few aspects.
-You can definitely tell the car is RWD, same as in Dirt 2, you can tell they are FWD.
-Once you get on a straight away with some room, and you can get the car up in speed, the engine whine/turbo whine is awesome, so much I turned my volume
up just to listen to it even more.
-You can drift around corners pretty nice, without the use of the e-brake, definite difference from Dirt2 (goes back to the difference between FWD/RWD)
-The graphics are good, nice and clean HD
- If your like me in a racing game, my main goal is to demolish the oppents car to either allow me to pass, or not use my brakes , however, now if you hit an object at a decent speed, your screen goes fuzzy, and its really hard to see the track/cars/turns, definitely something that will prevent my from using other cars to turn a corner.

Overall, it seems like a game I will definitely play lot's, and keeps up with Dirt 2 in funness, but they are aimed at 2 completely different aspects as Mark-er pointed out above.

I would suggest anyone who likes racing games give a try.

....Now to wait for Forza 3....


Note that I have played Dirt 2 for about 8hours, and NFSS about 1.5hours (Damn load times!)

[Fobio]

good review...

I'm still downloading...:chuckle

[Slade]

good review...

I'm still downloading...:chuckle

I grabbed the p2p release that hit mIRC last week, and just waited for it to verify on release day :)

[silvermist99]

good review...

I'm still downloading...:chuckle

let me know when it is done :headbang

[Riftler]

I ended buying it for PS3, I must say, its fun but the open world is something i still miss a lot

[-RJ3-]

September 22???? Im picking up mine today.. Well bootleg :P

[cwp_sedan]

September 22???? Im picking up mine today.. Well bootleg :P

It's already out Ryan! :)

[-RJ3-]

It's already out Ryan! :)

LOL yah I figured as much, I saw Garage's OP and thought... thats out already...

[Zaku_4]

+483290483924 for porsche unleashed!

i might just acquire another copy now. great great game

is shift more forza/gt oriented where you just race for positions? or is it some street racing storyline?

[Kevin@nextmod]

Just bought NFS shift yesterday but my ps3 crapped out on me. Thank god for warranty.

[PCLoadLetter]

How's the game everyone? I can't wait to give it a shot.

[Fobio]

+483290483924 for porsche unleashed!

i might just acquire another copy now. great great game

is shift more forza/gt oriented where you just race for positions? or is it some street racing storyline?

I just re-d/l'd it but I can't for the life of me get it to run on Win7/Vista...


How's the game everyone? I can't wait to give it a shot.

unrar'd and installing now...soon time!

[cwp_sedan]

I just re-d/l'd it but I can't for the life of me get it to run on Win7/Vista...

I hate PCs but I do play some PC games. I read some people were having issues with Shift but were able to get it running under win98 or me setting or something. Not sure if that will help though.

[Fobio]

I hate PCs but I do play some PC games. I read some people were having issues with Shift but were able to get it running under win98 or me setting or something. Not sure if that will help though.

I was referring to Porsche Unleashed. :)

anyway...spent about an hr playing Shift and it's good. Clean graphics. Nice bright tracks. Customizable realisim/difficulty. Decent sound track so far.

I'm playing it with the red MOMO Force, and I think I should lower the steering deadzone...the game makes you do a lot of minor adjustments to keep the car along the "racing line"...I left it on for now to get a feel for what the game is asking for....and have progressed to Lvl 5 Precision on the "medium AI" setting and experienced/manual setting so far.

Definitely a good game. Right balance of sim vs arcade for my taste. I esp like the bright background...and it's nice to be able to turn everything up on high...watch the pirate boat swing on the horizon against the setting sun while you dive into a right hand sweeper, applying a bit of counter steer to straighten the car out...I even put my helmet and gloves on and cranked it up...:headbang

[cwp_sedan]

I was referring to Porsche Unleashed. :)

anyway...spent about an hr playing Shift and it's good. Clean graphics. Nice bright tracks. Customizable realisim/difficulty. Decent sound track so far.

I'm playing it with the red MOMO Force, and I think I should lower the steering deadzone...the game makes you do a lot of minor adjustments to keep the car along the "racing line"...I left it on for now to get a feel for what the game is asking for....and have progressed to Lvl 5 Precision on the "medium AI" setting and experienced/manual setting so far.

Definitely a good game. Right balance of sim vs arcade for my taste. I esp like the bright background...and it's nice to be able to turn everything up on high...watch the pirate boat swing on the horizon against the setting sun while you dive into a right hand sweeper, applying a bit of counter steer to straighten the car out...I even put my helmet and gloves on and cranked it up...:headbang

I know but I thought that might work too. Just a suggestion.

I really need to grab Shift.

[Fobio]

I know but I thought that might work too. Just a suggestion.

I really need to grab Shift.

I tried it in all the modes available...it loads up, but crash after the Porsche Unleashed logo pops up...if you know of a way, lemme know... =)

[PCLoadLetter]

Autobahn in Porsche Unleashed for the win.

[Thrizzl3]

Autobahn in Porsche Unleashed for the win.

the different routes were cool..especially with the 911 turbos..loved it

[Fobio]

more about Shift:

the driving is actually quite realitic and I can picture myself playing this all winter to keep the hand/eye coordination up. using the wheel, you need to keep making minor adjustments to keep the correct line, kinda like in real life, but a bit more hectic because you don't get the "seat of the pants" feeling...so for the uninitiated, it can seem like quite a bit of work.

once you get the hang of it, driving an Elise thru the Eiffel Mountains or thru the forest at 10/10's, balls to the wall, is oh so gratifying...

[dragons4life]

Shift is awesome!!..currently using a Honda S2000 fully modified! with enought money for a Bugatti veyron..even though its tier 4 car lol.

With DS3 is so shit but manageable..need the Logitech G27 =D

[narcolepticus]

I just did a quick review on it for another forum...here is my opinion.

Game: Need For Speed Shift
Platform Tested: Xbox 360

Well, time for NFSS test of time.
I managed to play this a little, and when I say little, it's due to the game taking FOREVER to load a bloody course. Most game's loading times I can deal with, but this is almost eye gouging long.

After waiting so many times, I thought maybe if it is installed on the Hard Drive it may increase the load time? wrong, it takes just as long!

The controls are good, it feels pretty realistic in a few aspects.
-You can definitely tell the car is RWD, same as in Dirt 2, you can tell they are FWD.
-Once you get on a straight away with some room, and you can get the car up in speed, the engine whine/turbo whine is awesome, so much I turned my volume
up just to listen to it even more.
-You can drift around corners pretty nice, without the use of the e-brake, definite difference from Dirt2 (goes back to the difference between FWD/RWD)
-The graphics are good, nice and clean HD
- If your like me in a racing game, my main goal is to demolish the oppents car to either allow me to pass, or not use my brakes , however, now if you hit an object at a decent speed, your screen goes fuzzy, and its really hard to see the track/cars/turns, definitely something that will prevent my from using other cars to turn a corner.

Overall, it seems like a game I will definitely play lot's, and keeps up with Dirt 2 in funness, but they are aimed at 2 completely different aspects as Mark-er pointed out above.

I would suggest anyone who likes racing games give a try.

....Now to wait for Forza 3....


Note that I have played Dirt 2 for about 8hours, and NFSS about 1.5hours (Damn load times!)

Nice review .. what version of XBOX360 are you running? reason i ask is that i have the XBOX 360 Elite and have not experienced any extreme load times, compared to that of a first gen 360. Just curious is all ..

NFS: Shift has renewed my faith in the series.. i also play with the racing wheel, which makes the experience that much more awesome .. lol

[-RJ3-]

I just started, and wanted an all around event car, so I got the S14...

[dragons4life]

Man load times on the Ps3 is horrid!.....AWD cars own in this game and they are so much easier to play with.

[omalak]

Just got shift for pc yesterday, i love it!

Still need to get it for rhe 360.. i realized one thing though.. i need steering wheels for both my xbox and pc!!

In a weeks time i should be running shift in crossfireX hope it makes a diff on the graphics :) but they are still very clean and smooth with 4x AA and 2x AF 1440X900

[dragons4life]

Lotus elise 111R Wicked RWD handling car! ditched my S2000 for it. Anyway who has the game for PS3.

[Thrizzl3]

i just bought it for 360..im used to forza controls lol even tho the gear up is the LB/RB buttons. why didn't it come with a mazda 3 in tier one??

[dragons4life]

i just bought it for 360..im used to forza controls lol even tho the gear up is the LB/RB buttons. why didn't it come with a mazda 3 in tier one??


Cause its not as popular as the ones that already in Tier 1. Its not a biggy anyway, considered the other cars in the game.

[ShoeBox]

NFS Shift kinda looks same as Grid.

[sp3GT]

I just downloaded NFS:Shift for PC and it crapped out on me right at the beginning at the Test Drive.

I have Vista and I can't get it to work, I want to play it so bad.

Please HELP!!!!

[narcolepticus]

I just downloaded NFS:Shift for PC and it crapped out on me right at the beginning at the Test Drive.

I have Vista and I can't get it to work, I want to play it so bad.

Please HELP!!!!

one word .. Vista

Try Windows 7 RC .. that worked without any issues, Vista is not a good gaming platform .. what hardware are you running (CPU, Memory, Vid)?

[1flycdnM3]

decisions! decisions! With all these comments I can't decide what game(s) to get and what not to get, but I too agree that Pro Street I lost a lot of faith in the NFS-series and having owned lots of them in the past (1, 2, 3 and Hot Pursuit for PC), I was definitely turned-off from Pro Street which halted any chance of me buying Carbon. I think Shift might be a good game to get back into the NFS-series from what people are saying, but should I get FM3 as well or just pick one of the two??

GT:P is great and owned all these as well, will trade it in for GT:5 when it comes out :)

[Kevin@nextmod]

The game is pretty awesome compared to the last shitty pro street. I was struggling with drifting but after getting the hang of it, its not that bad and hella fun. Lucky for me they have the Si so i bought that to start with and they even have the same lip i have. lol.. Then i upgraded to my nest dream car the STI which is soooo much faster after upgrading the parts.

Highly recommend to anyone to buy this and play.

[Sdu_postes]

how's the graphics??

[dragons4life]

The game is great, loving it so far. worst case having enough for all the cars lol. tier 4 cars are so expensive and all of them are so nice!!!

[sp3GT]

one word .. Vista

Try Windows 7 RC .. that worked without any issues, Vista is not a good gaming platform .. what hardware are you running (CPU, Memory, Vid)?

I believe my PC is good enough to play the game,

Duo P8400
4GB ram
250gb HD with tones of space left

I STILL CAN"T GET IT TO WORK!!! Everytime at the test drive it dies!

[PCLoadLetter]

I believe my PC is good enough to play the game,

Duo P8400
4GB ram
250gb HD with tones of space left

I STILL CAN"T GET IT TO WORK!!! Everytime at the test drive it dies!
What graphics card do you have?

[sp3GT]

What graphics card do you have?

I have ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650

-Updated to latest drivers
-Updates PhysX
-Updated Direct X

-Tried various resolutions and tuned down everything to low :(

[crono06]

The game is pretty awesome compared to the last shitty pro street. I was struggling with drifting but after getting the hang of it, its not that bad and hella fun. Lucky for me they have the Si so i bought that to start with and they even have the same lip i have. lol.. Then i upgraded to my nest dream car the STI which is soooo much faster after upgrading the parts.

Highly recommend to anyone to buy this and play.

Damn... Should have picked it up after work today... $10 off at Best Buy this week too!

[PCLoadLetter]

I have ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650

-Updated to latest drivers
-Updates PhysX
-Updated Direct X

-Tried various resolutions and tuned down everything to low :(
Damn, that should work for sure.

So the game crashes for sure? I remember back in the day I had issues running a NFS game due to old sound drivers, pretty messed up.

[sp3GT]

Damn, that should work for sure.

So the game crashes for sure? I remember back in the day I had issues running a NFS game due to old sound drivers, pretty messed up.

Ya, I've ran the game like 10 + times now always crashes right when I'm just about to drive :(

[towelsnap]

So worth the buy or no? (mind you it will be console) taking the pludge and buying another ps3 tomorrow

[PCLoadLetter]

Definitely worth the buy. The feel of the game reminds me of the older NFS games but the graphics are amazing.

[dragons4life]

Its definite buy if your a NFS fan......



I don't know if anyone experienced this....EA messed up the Understeer and oversteer in the quick tune menu. So understeer is really oversteer and oversteer is understeer.

I don't think they fixed this yet..so try if they didn't and if they did totally ignore this lol.

[Fobio]

I've done quite a bit of fine tuning of the steering wheel. Basically, you need to follow some instructions on EA's forums to make sure that the deadzones are 0% and the Speed Sensitivity is also 0%. it took some getting used to again, but all is well and more realistic...

drifting is tough...

[dragons4life]

I've done quite a bit of fine tuning of the steering wheel. Basically, you need to follow some instructions on EA's forums to make sure that the deadzones are 0% and the Speed Sensitivity is also 0%. it took some getting used to again, but all is well and more realistic...

drifting is tough...

Yeah drifting is tough, however its not that bad after you get the hang of it. Its all on throttle control, and the steering.