| The Need for Speed series has been running for a | | | | to drive. The controls work well on the PSP and the |
| long time now. But with recent disasters the series | | | | steering is pretty accurate. However we still don't like |
| was due for a change. Therefore EA contacted | | | | the system overall. For one the fastest way around a |
| several high profile developers to transform the series | | | | corner is by always using the handbrake. And the |
| to a whole new setting. A setting that is realistic. | | | | speeds are highly inaccurate. It's plain insane to be |
| Gameplay | | | | driving a VW scirocco and having the feeling that |
| To make the move things have changed considerably. | | | | you're going blistering fast. And it's not just the feel. |
| The over de top tuning, known from the street racer | | | | These EA cars can go from 0 to 150mph in mere |
| games, is gone. Likewise are the many street circuits, | | | | seconds. Another point worth mentioning is that the |
| the driving in the city scheme and most importantly the | | | | boost button is back in need for speed shift. This |
| police chases. In need for speed shift you progress by | | | | button will make the car go Bugatti fast for 7 seconds. |
| finishing in the top 3 of different challenges. Then you | | | | Unfortunately it's highly unrealistic and isn't nearly as |
| have one vs one races with high profile drivers. | | | | suddle as we would've liked. (F1 KERS button like) So |
| Winning these races will give you the car he uses. But | | | | in short it's still an arcade but if you like that short of |
| more importantly by winning this challenge you will | | | | thing than there's nothing to worry about on the driving |
| proceed to the next level of competition. This circle will | | | | part. |
| continue until you are on the top of the ladder (literally) | | | | Presentation |
| and own all cars that are worth owning. We really like | | | | This is where the game shines. The graphics look |
| this basic clean way of working your way up, way | | | | amazing for a PSP game. The lightning effects are |
| more than the similar but more over done way that | | | | great as are the cars and the track graphics. The |
| the previous Need for speed games used. | | | | sound is also great. But we'd have liked more |
| There are a few problems though. For one we didn't | | | | differences in sound between the cars. Again taking |
| like the 'boss' fights. It made us think of the street | | | | the VW. In shift this car sounds way too sporty. |
| races and in fact they're really similar. This isn't what | | | | We've only really spotted one point that just happens |
| you want in a game that tries to be a simulator. Other | | | | to spoil every other point presentation wise: the game |
| problems are the way the game defines your | | | | simply seems unable to remember you preferred |
| characteristics as a driver. You gain points on curtain | | | | driving view. The game kept putting us in the default |
| bars by driving clean or aggressive. For example | | | | and there's no way to change the default view other |
| drifting every corner will gain you points on the drifting | | | | than to manually change it each race. This is as |
| bar. This way the game defines if you are a clean | | | | annoying as downers get. |
| racer, aggressive or maybe careless. But the fastest | | | | Need for Speed Shift is a nice arcade racer with a |
| way of going around corners is by drifting and in the | | | | clean and clear ladder for you to climb to the absolute |
| drifting challenges you are forced to use the | | | | top. But even down the ladder your cars will go |
| handbrake cornering once more. So the way the | | | | inhumane fast and there isn't always the motivation |
| systems defines you as a driver is highly dodgy in the | | | | because of this to really reach the top. And because |
| PSP version. The most important thing in a racing | | | | the game can't remember your driving view, most |
| game is the driving. Fortunately the game is very easy | | | | gamers won't ever reach the top. |