First impressions; arcade game with great racing experience.
User Rating: 8 | Shift 2: Unleashed PS3
This cannot be described in any way as a simulation. Playing without any driving aids on the most difficult handling mode makes no difference; this is an arcade game. That was initially very disappointing to me as it appeared that EA was making a proper racing game but from the start, you're drifting a GTR hard into the corners without any regard for physics. It turns out though, this is a very nice alternative to GT5 or all other "simulators" for that matter. This game is worth buying if you want a visceral racing experience. Besides the fact that the cars don't imitate real life, the racing is incredible and fun. It is difficult to if you want it to be. You'll feel alive trying to pass someone in this game, exit speeds do matter, and there are incentives for doing well (such as clean lap and leader xp). The cars and tracks look O.K considering it is in 720p. The helmet-cam works well and makes for a unique racing experience. The car list is great including mk1 gti, gumpert apollo, hachiroku, radical sr3, e36 m3, etc. I wish they had included older or vanilla 911's and a clk mercedes but theres not much to complain about there. The track list is great too; it has Spa! Other annoyances that keep this game from being perfect are the car shifting for you (no option to get rid of that) and for a racing game, its easier to use the controller than my driving force gt which has nearly no force feedback. I will have more to review later in terms of multiplayer and career mode, but this is to let people know if you are buying it for the simulation factor, beware.
