14 DAY TRIAL // I've only spent a few hours with Need for Speed: Shift 2 Unleashed, but I can safely say that this game is significantly harder than Gran Turismo 5 from Polyphony Digital and Sony and the rebooted Need for Speed from Criterion and Electronic Arts.
It also seems that the Shift 2 Unleashed could be significantly more enjoyable in the long term if it doesn't become way too frustrating much too soon.
The developers at Slightly Mad Studios talked a lot before the release of the new Shift about how they aim to convey the feeling of racing and the emotion it generates rather than simply strictly adhering to the mechanics and, at first sight, they seem to have succeeded.
When playing on the hardest difficulty and with all the simulation options turned on, preferably from the cockpit view, the game is very, very challenging but the exhilaration when placing in the top three (the best I have managed so far) feels very good.
The feeling of being a very good driver diminishes with the number of driving assists one adds and takes another hit when switching from in-cockpit to behind-the-car view, but the game still delivers plenty of adrenaline and thrills.
The Experience System is also finely tuned to encourage good driving, making it easier to approach each new event with a clear plan.
The only problem I've found so far is the unfortunate placement of the mini map on the HUD, with my experience being that one glance at it can often lead to catastrophe on the track.
And the game also has the Autolog system, one of the most interesting innovations in social gaming of the year, to spice things up significantly by allowing performances to be evaluated and quick head-to-head races to be set up and launched.
Here's the game in action: