One Hour With – Need for Speed: Shift 2 Unleashed

The developer at Slightly Mad Studios and the publishers at Electronic Arts might be aiming for a racing genre record in long names with their latest release, but they are also talking about delivering an easy-to-get-into but hard-to-master racing game that can compete with the likes of Gran Turismo and Forza.

14:07. The first cinematic sequence for Shift 2 Unleashed is terrifying, at first because it seems to depict some of the worst crashes that can happen to a driver and then because it pushes home the kind of effort that's needed to control the cars.

14:11. I read that the PC version is best enjoyed with a controller and with the realism settings, at first, turned down low, but I will first try a few races with the keyboard and as much real settings as possible to see how the game plays.

14:18. The second cinematic sequence is unskippable, which is kind of a disappointment, and we're off to the races.

14:30. I just missed the most pessimistic time checks while spending most of my racing time on gravel or grass, fighting to get back onto the track only to then gravely misjudge the next corner and get out again.

14:34. In my first attempt at a race that involves other players, I finished dead last although I spent significantly less time on the grass.

14:40. It's time to dial down the difficulty and turn on some racing assists.

14:43. They do seem to make a difference and, as long as I don't miss the hairpin turn, I manage to get a respectable fourth spot.

14:46. It really helps to play Shift 2 Unleashed from the behind the car view in order to get some perspective on the track and the maneuvers of the opponents.

14:54. Oh, and using a controller really makes a huge difference, especially when it comes to sharp, tight corners and overtaking.

We'll have a review up for Need for Speed: Shift 2 Unleashed as soon as possible.