Round 2: Revision unleashed

For better or for worse, Shift 2: Unleashed aims to please everyone. All genres can be divided into sub-categories which offer a more accurate representation of a single title. Even though Kingdom Hearts II and Final Fantasy XIII are both JRPGs created by Square Enix, it would be hard to describe the games as similar. On the surface, racing games seem a little more predictable and the genre tends to be viewed with a “love it or hate it” arrangement. Does the thought of racing a track in a highly detailed sports car sound tempting? If the answer is yes, then choose from the various popular franchises currently on the market.

However, things are rarely that simple. Indeed, the Racing genre boasts a particularly significant watershed between its two main subcategories; so much so that loving one of them considerably diminishes the possibilities of the other. Classified as simulators and arcade racing games, the former focus on creating realistic, nuanced experiences that seek to capture the feeling of sitting behind a Caterham CT03 or VW Polo R WRC. Conversely, the latter drops realism in favor of speed and thrills. That’s not to say arcade pilots lack depth, but the core mechanics strive to be exciting rather than practical. As a result, someone might love Forza Motorsport 7 and hate Forza Horizon 4. The reverse is also true.

Starting out as a racing simulator before embracing the arcade scene, EA’s Need for Speed ​​franchise strives to align the line between both classes, although accessibility almost always takes precedence over authenticity. While the controls tend to be simple to grasp, those looking to fine-tune the handling to suit their fancy have the opportunity to play around with the settings. When done correctly, Need for Speed ​​offers the best of both worlds. Unfortunately, many rumors spread too far and end up lacking the sophistication of a hardcore racer or the immediacy of a pure arcade racer. Round 2: Unleashed achieves a better balance than most others.

Similar to 2009’s Shift, the sequel immediately takes users to a Ford GT before letting them loose for a test drive to determine the player’s experience. Depending on the results, the game automatically adjusts the settings. These can be changed at any time, but Shift 2: Unleashed generally works fine.

Unlike Need for Speed: Most Wanted or Payback, Shift 2: Unleashed omits an open world in favor of traditional tracks. Setting aside some disappointing introductory scenes, the robust career mode removes any distraction to ensure a match is always seconds away. With different types of events available, the goal is to dominate each category on the road to secure a qualifying spot for the FIA ​​GT1 World and GT3 Championships.

Compared to Gran Turismo 5 or Forza games, Shift 2: Unleashed’s 150+ cars can seem relatively insignificant. Fortunately, each car looks absolutely stunning and controls uniquely enough to warrant taking them all out for a ride of joy. Unlock the entire necessary collection by exploring other modes besides career, with the online component that also rewards money and XP points. Along with multiplayer events, personal times are uploaded to an online leaderboard, so bragging rights are always just a click away. Unfortunately, the split screen is not a starter.

As tends to be normal for the course, users start with the car bottom of the barrel and gradually gain the right to drive faster vehicles. Progression is fast and rewarding, however, be prepared to repeat several races in hopes of securing a better finish or earning some extra cash. The replayability of Shift 2 is greatly expanded by the wide range of amazing tracks set around the world. The campaign is expected to keep most people busy for around two dozen hours, which doesn’t take into account all the extra time it takes to purchase all the cars. Graphically, the Need for Speed ​​series rarely looks behind its times, and Slightly Mad Studios’ Shift 2 compares favorably with its contemporaries.
Round 2: Unleashed is simple to understand but slightly challenging to master. Not surprising, considering that the game is primarily classified as a simulation rather than an arcade racing game. Coupled with a really intense and vivid helmet camera, avid fans should be mostly satisfied with the number of options available. That said, Slightly Mad Studios has unquestionably built a game designed to please casual gamers. The incredibly aggressive AI ensures that races are rarely one-sided or boring, although the game basically gives the computer a license to kill. As a result, Shift 2: Unleashed hits a middle ground between sim and arcade racer, but falls short of the absolute best voices of either subgenre.

For those looking for a fun track runner with a decent amount of content, Shift 2: Unleashed is a great place to start. Over the years, Need for Speed ​​has produced its fair share of ups and downs, although most games fall squarely in the “meh” stack. While the 2011 rumor doesn’t quite replicate the success of 2005’s Most Wanted or 2010’s Hot Pursuit, Shift 2: Unleashed presents a compelling case to represent the franchise’s most respectable attempt to go back to its roots and offer a genuinely realistic simulation of the maneuverability of the car.