Who says simulation racing is boring?
In the interest of full disclosure let me set one thing straight, i loved the original Shift. I know it was a kind of love it/hate it game, but for me it was a racing sim that breathed new life into the otherwise jaded market. Don’t get me wrong Forza and Gran Turismo are super games aswell, it’s just that Shift evoked terror in me everytime i settled in for a race, the kind of terror that results in a super focus while racing and man sweats when finished. This Zen like focus is rarely achieved in any game and has only been matched in Codemasters F1 2010. So i was delighted when it was revealed that the white knuckle ride would continue with Shift 2 Unleashed.
While it may be seen as an easy cash in, Shift 2 Unleashed brings a few more tricks to the party that justify its existence. Firstly the Helmet Cam is an unnerving new driving perspective, that’s much more than the cockpit view from the last game. Your view bobs and sways as you tackle corners at insane speeds, giving a sense of immersion that unparalleled in the genre. We also have night racing, for more bottom clenching racing. You may think you know a track, but race it when the sun has set and you’ll gain a whole new appreciation for it. The tuning mechanic is also far more refined, allowing a lot more customisation to your chosen vehicle.
One thing that always stood out for me with Shift was the handling and Shift 2 is no exception, the driving by the seat of your pants experience is still in full effect. It has received a few tweaks to make it more accessible for controllers, but the game is best played with a wheel. Playing tracks you know and love, like Suzuka which has been a staple diet for Forza and Gran Turismo fans, you get a new appreciation for how difficult the track is. The car snorts and belches its way from corner to corner, fighting with you the whole time. Even with the suggested racing line turned on and adhering to it religiously, you struggle to find grip as your beast tries to dethrone you. You have to be paying attention at all times and this stays true for the AI, even on the lowest of settings these crafty rivals will do anything to get past. Thankfully this is also true when they race each other, so be mindful of them taking each other out when playing catch up.
As you progress through the career, you earn XP by how you race and by completing specific tasks, clean laps, leading races etc. It’s a lot more clear cut than the last release where you were rewarded for being a mixture of aggressive and smooth racing. In turn earning XP raises your level unlocking new events, cars and invitational’s. I really enjoy this structure and while not ground breaking, it’s always nice to try and tame a supercar in a once off invitational race while struggling in the lower rung of the totem pole, giving me something to strive for in the future.
The online works well with the usual race types available with the addition of the Driver Duel Championships. This in theory is great, a one on one race series where the best of 3 winner goes through to the next round, in practice however, it turns into a game of dodgems. I know you’re always going to have this with racing titles, but perhaps the more aggressive side of Shift 2 Unleashed encourages it too much.
What more can i say about it, Shift 2 Unleashed is a great game. Take your time to appreciate the handling model and you’re in for one hell of a ride.
9/10
Review by Brian Buckley
