Related Sections: Driving
Here's your chance to try the best racing game of the year
You don't have to take my word for it anymore. Now you can see for yourself whether Need for Speed: Shift is as good as I think it is. The demo for the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 goes live today. If you're into racing games, this is one you need to try.
The demo lets you drive a BMW M3, a Dodge Viper, a Lotus Elise, and a Nissan GT-R (pictured). You'll be able to get a sense for how the experience point system rewards you for specific types of driving. You can dig on the cockpit view and the amazing audio. Get a taste of the driving model, which is oddly slippery compared to other games, but can be addressed in the tune-up menu.
The demo lets you race on the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps or the London River track. I'm particularly fond of London River. With its long screaming straightaways punctuated by insidious curves, it'll take every bit of speed and handling your car provides. And there's no better way to see the Thames River than as briefly as possible.
If you earn enough stars in the demo, you'll unlock a Pagani Zonda F. I have no idea what that is, but I think there's a Gundam robot with the same name. I'm still trying to wrap my head around how to drive that Viper. She's quite the handful. But, oh, the sounds she makes while I try to wrangle her!
If you just have a PC, you're not excused from checking out the demo as well. It's available here.
By DeftMunky at 8:42 AM ON 10/01/09
The Zonda?!? It's one of the best super cars ever made.
By obonicus at 9:36 AM ON 10/01/09
There's some amazing cognitive dissonance here. What about the bugs, Mr. Chick? How about the fact that this is one of the most rushed games ever? Is there a not-terribly-buggy version of the game that's being sent only to reviewers? Or is this opinion based on your experience growing up in the Mirror Universe, where apparently cars flop around like fish?
By Tom Chick at 9:54 AM ON 10/01/09
I have had almost no problems with bugs. As I noted in the review, I had my pit crew standing in the wrong place before a race. I've also discovered switched understeer/oversteer labels on the quicktune screen. Beyond those two minor issues, I'm not sure why you think bugs are somehow a notable problem.
As for your claim that it's the "most rushed game ever", I have no insight into the production schedule, so I'll just have to take your word for it.
By Mihos at 11:58 AM ON 10/01/09
I was suprised as everyone that it didn't suck, but I think Forza 3 is all over this. The cars in this are very disjoined from the track especially when you get to the really fastcars... like the pivot point is behind the car, instead of in it... very weird. I have had a ton of glitch outs myself including a few lock-ups.
By Neuromancer at 3:18 PM ON 10/01/09
Better than DiRT 2 huh? I find that hard to believe but I'll try the demo anyway.
Anyone feel like the Forza 3 demo was a little weak? Honestly I thought it looked kind of cartoony and not at all realistic.
By Commander at 6:29 PM ON 10/01/09
cant beleive ppl are basing thoughts off the psp vers omg suck it up ps3 gt5 will own. anyways as for shift looks good but will it play good? as in all the cars and lots of race tracks that gt has always been known for. also Pagani Zonda is one of the only "TRUE" supercars still made as all others look the same nowadays Pagani keeps the original meaning of supercar alive.
By deccan at 10:23 PM ON 10/01/09
PC demo link doesn't work.
By BiggJeffTheGamer at 12:45 AM ON 10/02/09
I think Shift is a mix between, Juiced 2 Gameplay, Forza 2 Trying To Use Race Tracks And Race Cars, Test Drive Unlimited Graphics, All Bundled Up With The NFS Series.
Just My Opinion From Playing It.
Bigg Jeff.
BiggJeffTheGamer:
I think Shift is a mix between, Juiced 2 Gameplay, Forza 2 Trying To Use Race Tracks And Race Cars, Test Drive Unli...More »