Call me a cynic, but I imagine a design meeting at EA sometime last year went a little like this:

Mr Publisher – “Time for a new Need For Speed game.  What’s been popular recently?”

Mr Designer – “Erm, GRID did quite well?”

Mr Publisher – “Good call.  Make that then.”

Okay, maybe that’s a little harsh, but the whole look and feel of Need for Speed: Shift has undeniably taken a generous helping of inspiration from the widely acclaimed Codemasters title.  Both have a similar take on ‘realistic’ graphics, both have a range of real world and fantasy tracks, and both have a handling model that sits somewhere between arcade and simulation.

On the subject of handling, Shift somewhat mis-sells itself as a racing simulation.  While it is easily the most realistic game in the Need for Speed series to date, it doesn’t stray too far from its arcade roots.  The cars are all tail happy to varying degrees, oversteering into corners with anything more than the lightest of touches on the steering wheel.  On top of this, the cars don’t have much sense of being stuck to the road, feeling almost like the hovering vehicles of F-Zero or Wipeout.  Now of course, this is all down to personal preference, and while I favour more grippy, understeery handling, the Shift model will no doubt feel far more natural to others.  It may not be perfect either way, but it only takes an hour or so to become accustomed to it.

The cars themselves are the usual suspects for a game like this, Ferrari being the only notable exception due to their policy of not having their cars featured in street races (although if rumours are to be believed, they are due to make their Need for Speed debut through an upcoming DLC pack).  The cars themselves are authentically modelled, and while some body kits can be added, the emphasis in the upgrades department is far more on performance than visuals.  Equally authentic are the real-world circuits.  Spa and Silverstone in particular are as good as they have ever looked in a game, albeit with the added banners, tents and fairground rides that were also seen in NFS: ProStreet.

Where Shift really sets itself apart from other racers is in the way you progress throughout your racing career.  The usual model remains – winning races to earn more money and experience, in turn getting better cars and more races – but the way you earn experience has been given a major overhaul.  During races you are constantly scored on your driving in two categories – aggression and precision – and awarded medals accordingly.  Barge your way past opponents and power slide around corners and you’ll gain a reputation for aggression, while perfecting lines and overtaking cleanly will class you as a precision driver.  It may not sound like much, but knowing you’re being judged on every move you make adds a whole new element to the gameplay and changes your approach to racing.

As a big fan of racing sims, I didn’t expect to enjoy Shift as much as I did.  Whatever your handling preference, the cars could do with being a little grippier, but the level of challenge is still well balanced, and career progression is far more engaging and satisfying than most other racers.  After a few mediocre efforts, Need for Speed has very much returned to form.

A copy of Need for Speed: Shift was given to us by the publisher.