So close to being perfect
posted by Markus1142 (SOMERVILLE, NJ) Apr 1, 2011
Member since Oct 2010
12
out of
19
gamers (63%) found this review helpful
The bad: inconsistent collision physics, and an odd assortment of cars to choose from.
The good: gorgeous graphics, incredible attention to detail, and the involvement of actual racers to give a feeling of authenticity.
Shift 2 is a technically incredible game; the attention to detail at every level is amazing. From the different tracks, to the cars, to the air vents and dashboards you can see from the interior camera views, you can see the effort put into this game.
When you first start, the game gives you a few practice laps to gauge your driving skill, and adjusts your settings (like difficulty and brake assist, which you can always change later.) Novices and experts alike can pick up the game and get right to playing.
The car customization is where the casual and gearhead gamers get separated; you can change simple aesthetics like car color or body kits, or go all out and play with engine settings and gear ratios.
The car selection is odd; while a large number of manufacturers are represented, many only have one car available to purchase.
The game's major frustrations (for me, anyway) come from what feels like inconsistent collision physics. Many times, slamming into another car (accidentally or intentionally) leaves your vehicle swerving out of control, with little to no effect on the other vehicle. Good driving is also sometimes punished, as I've seen cars pass me driving on terrain that would normally cripple my car's performance. Sometimes, a single mistake can be all it takes to guarantee failure.
It's a shame, because if it wasn't so frustrating, it would be a blast to play. You have standard races, time attack, drifting events - there's something for everyone in here, as long as you have the patience to play through it.
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