LaunchBox Logo Back to Home Page
Illustration of Need for Speed: Shift

Need for Speed: Shift

Overview

The player's goal in Need for Speed: Shift is to take part in the Need for Speed World Tour and become the ultimate champion. As opposed to its predecessors, this doesn't mean racing around an open-world city with pimped cars. Instead the game is more similar to GRID with races taking place on closed city circuits or even famous race tracks like the Circuit de Spa-Franchorchamps.

At the beginning of the game, the player drives a test-round as well as a race. During this tutorial the game evaluates the player's skill and changes the realism settings accordingly ranging from the usual arcade-style controls with many driving aids to an almost realistic simulation-like driving model. Then the main game begins where the player has to successfully earn stars in order to unlock the next tier and ultimately gain access to the World Tour. Stars are earned by getting on the podium at the end of a race as well as by fulfilling certain objectives on the track. These range from simply gaining a specific amount of points in the race to more challenging objectives like driving a clean lap. Points on the other hand are earned by the player through his driving style and are separated into two groups: Precision and Aggression. While the first group honors clean sectors or driving on the race line, aggression-points are earned by hitting other cars or sliding through curves. Once the player has earned enough points (both categories are summed-up at the end of an event, he gains a level and by doing so unlocks new upgrades for his car, get's a big money bonus or receives an invite to a special race event. To keep the player even more motivated, tons of badges are waiting to be earned which are in part also the same as the available achievements/trophies. Again actions like performing 25 overtakes or winning three consecutive races are needed to earn a minor badge. If he keeps his streak up or has earned all the minor badges in one category, he earns additional badges ranging from bronze to epic.

The available events include normal races in various variations, a time attack mode, a car attack in which the player needs to be either five seconds in front of his opponent or get 1st place in order to win and drift events. The car park includes many licensed cars from normal middle to high class vehicles to high-powered racing cars which can all be bought through the money earned by winning races or leveling up. In addition the look of the car can be changed by unlocking new vinyls. Also available are extensive upgrade and tuning options allowing the player to change every detail on his car down to the tire pressure.

Publishers
Electronic Arts
Genre
Racing
Alternate Names
No information available
Wikipedia
No information available

Media

Banner

Need for Speed: Shift - Banner (null) - 1920x1080
1920 x 1080

Box - 3D

Need for Speed: Shift - Box - 3D (North America) - 567x878
North America -  567 x 878

Box - Back

Need for Speed: Shift - Box - Back (North America) - 887x1130
North America -  887 x 1130
Need for Speed: Shift - Box - Back (United Kingdom) - 800x1127
United Kingdom -  800 x 1127
Need for Speed: Shift - Box - Back (Russia) - 800x1113
Russia -  800 x 1113

Box - Front

Need for Speed: Shift - Box - Front (North America) - 1530x2148
North America -  1530 x 2148
Need for Speed: Shift - Box - Front (United Kingdom) - 800x1145
United Kingdom -  800 x 1145
Need for Speed: Shift - Box - Front (Russia) - 800x1116
Russia -  800 x 1116

Box - Front - Reconstructed

Need for Speed: Shift - Box - Front - Reconstructed (North America) - 791x1108
North America -  791 x 1108

Clear Logo

Need for Speed: Shift - Clear Logo (null) - 948x310
948 x 310

Disc

Need for Speed: Shift - Disc (North America) - 780x780
North America -  780 x 780

Fanart - Background

Need for Speed: Shift - Fanart - Background (null) - 1920x1080
1920 x 1080