Pwngamer.com says: Need for Speed: Shift 2 Unleashed has been finally released and we are powering through it currently — so expect a full Pwngamer review on the title soon.
The first noticeable difference in the game apart from the visuals is the handling of all cars. Corners need to be approached with far more grace than its predecessor, but in particular the Lotus Exige has had a complete change in handling. It is quite frankly awful and feels like I am driving a boat...
A breakdown of the best PS3 racing games according to Rantgaming.com. Games are rated based on replay value, graphics, gameplay, and controls
I'm not impressed with much in terms of racing this gen. Graphics have been really raised racently, and it wasn't by the "two kings" (GT and Forza) in racing. Shift 2 and the upcoming Project Cars are now DOMINATING racing games graphically, GT5 and Forza 4/H do not even compare. But physics and gameplay-wise, most everything's been "off" aside from a select few. My short list would be.
#1 GT5. It's still rocking everybody in terms of gameplay and variety. It's got every kind of 4 wheeled racing almost from Karts to F1 and everything in between. GT needs to step it up graphically now though. Forza is the LEAST of their worries there.
#2 Motorstorm Pacific Rift. Just the #1 most fun and intense arcade/off-road racer ever made or ever will be made. SOOOOOO much variety compared to the bare bones (but great) first game, and a way better racing game than the 3rd game which was more like Split-Second than MotorStorm in THIS Motorstorm Fan's opinion.
#3 F1 Championship Edition. This PS3 exclusive launch game is imho still the best F1 game this gen in terms of the racing.
#4 FerrariChallenge/SuperCar Challenge. Alot of people havn't heard about these, they got VERY little attention. They sucked because not alot of cars, but it's a fact that System 3 put into these PS3 exclusives (they were on Wii too, but they weren't as advanced) the most advanced, realistic physics to ever be in a console racer. The same physics they put into their PC sim. Good graphics for the time too. Very under-rated.
#5 Shift 2. This is only here because I think graphically, it's a sneak peek at the next level in racing sim graphics. Project Cars is improving on that. But Shift 2 has HORRIBLE physics and I disliked playing it. If Project Cars can get the physics more in line than Shift 2, and have enough of a garage to have the variety in the racing while keeping the online field fairly even like GT5 does, it will truly be the next level of racing sims, and something may actually pull me away from GT5, which nothing has based on gameplay.
Also: WipeOut HD- awesome game, awesome value, it's expansion makes it an even better value, top notch quality.
John Bedford (Modojo): Modojo rounds up the best of the price-drops for Wednesday 4th July.
Origin have released a new set of 50% off game in week 2 of it's Best of 2011 Sale.
I love how this is "considered" as news. lol
Btw, try driving the same Lotus Elise in the Top Gear Challenge, Gran Turismo 5. You'll have a ball with that.
cars in gt5 can also be a nightmare to drive the difference being in shift 2 the A.I. is way better and if you cock up you might aswell restart the race.
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Ha! I was motoring along fine on the Elite handling model until the first challenge with the Elise as a loaner.
After four or five frustrating attempts I switched to casual with full assists just to get past that race.
It seems that Shift 2 has muffed (or possibly nerfed) the braking and weight transfer on some cars, the Corvette Z06 is fine, the Veyron feels like it's floating.
The Mustangs feel like big heavy cars, but
some of the other cars are pretty terrible as well, especially when you works convert them.
My only real gripe is the drifting tracks, some of the non purpose made ones are awful choices, Tokyo, Miami , London and the oval tracks are fun, the others not so much.
Same gameplay and 3d engine since prostreet, what did you expect?