Electronic Arts released a gameplay clip of Need for Speed Shift earlier this week. Now here's the official trailer. Shift is the multiplatform (PS3, Xbox 360, PC) title that's supposed to reinvent NFS's image -- by bringing more of a realistic, driving-sim feel to this arcade-y franchise.
It's unclear how intent EA is on achieving that goal from this trailer. You're "driving" an E92 BMW M3, a Porsche 911 GT3, a Nissan GT-R and a Lamborghini Reventon on track in this video. And the detailing in the cockpit is exquisite; we can see the iDrive screen in all its glory. But the constant bumping from other racers on the track doesn't say "realistic" to us. Said bumping is almost Midnight Club-esque with what seems like little punishment for scraping fenders.
The entire lineup of adrenaline-pumping vehicles can be viewed here, and the list is pretty much packed with every supercar brand you can imagine -- minus Ferrari (apparently there were some legal issues). Import fanboys will be happy to see a 2006 Honda Civic Si and 2000 Honda S2000, while those hankering for a track run in a 2008 Bugatti Veyron or 2006 Aston Martin DBR9 won't be disappointed, either.
The list of tracks is just as extensive, with classic circuits like Road America, Silverstone and -- of course -- the Nurburgring Nordschleife. The NFS crew made a few fictional circuits as well that have "steep grades, hairpin corners and blind crests."
We'll see if Shift has what it takes to go up against Forza 3 and Gran Turismo 5 this fall. --Mike Lysaght, Contributor
caheew says:
01:24 PM, 06/ 5/09
Gran Turismo is better.