Shift 2: Unleashed
Release Date: March 29, 2011
Steam
A sequel to 2009's Need for Speed: Shift, the more realistic spin-off of the arcade racing series. Both games were developed by Slightly Mad Studios. Shift 2: Unleashed brings few changes to the gameplay mechanics of its predecessor. The game utilizes the same driving physics, combining simulation elements with the simplicity of arcade racing.
Shift 2: Unleashed for PC, PS3 and etc. is a sequel to Need for Speed: Shift – a spin-off representing a realistic approach to racing. The sequel follows the mechanics introduced by its predecessor and extends the best aspects of it.
Gameplay
The second installment in the Shift sub series aims to show the players what it is like to be a driver of a racing car as well. Contrary to many other racing games, Shift 2: Unleashed for PC, PS3 and etc. offers the best possible experience when played from the cockpit view. This imitates the head movements of the driver in order for the player to experience different shakings and various visual effects created with the help of professional drivers. Camera work was improved – when a car enters a turn, the driver's head turns slightly as well for example.
Motivated by the warm reception of Need for Speed: Shift, the creators decided to stick to the most important mechanics and the driving physics of the predecessor. Although each car has different specifics, the game does not require hours of practice before the player can achieve something. Thus the driving physics combine simplicity of arcade racing with simulation elements.
As usual, the game does not lack the fastest licensed cars and amazing tracks. This time, the player is given an opportunity to race at night as well, which delivers an interesting visual experience, thanks to the new lighting system. The player visits Shanghai filled with hundreds of neon lights or Belgian forests shrouded in darkness. All the available races are contained within the carrier mode. This delivers many hours of enjoyable gameplay.
Technical aspects
Shift 2: Unleashed for PC, PS3 and etc. offers improved graphics of both the cars and the environments. The creators decided to implement the Autolog system (Hot Pursuit) here as well. This introduces many social elements to the game. The player can view rankings, statistics and compare them with others. It also allows to publish one's own materials
Last updated on August 14, 2015
Videos and Screens
[1:42] Shift 2: Unleashed SpeedHunters DLC
[1:37] Shift 2: Unleashed Legends Pack (PL)
GAMERS Score
Average score from 3328 votes. 2554 players anticipated the game.
29
GAMES
in Need for Speed Game Series
Game Series
Need for Speed Series
One of the oldest and most popular racing game series in the history of the industry. Need for Speed is one of the most valuable brands in Electronic Arts' portfolio, with the US company's in-house development studios, such as EA Black Box, EA Gothenburg, and Criterion Games, usually responsible for its subsequent installments. The series started in 1994 with The Need for Speed, designed for fifth-generation consoles (3DO, PlayStation, Sega Saturn) and PC. The production was prepared by the team from EA Canada studio, created as a result of the acquisition of Distinctive Software (devs of Test Drive and Test Drive II).
29 video games
Shift 2: Unleashed Summary
Platforms:
PC / Windows March 29, 2011
Apple iOS August 4, 2011 September 11, 2014 (EOL)
PlayStation 3 March 29, 2011
Xbox 360 March 29, 2011
Developer: Slightly Mad Studios
Publisher: Electronic Arts Inc.
Shift 2: Unleashed System Requirements
PC / Windows
Recommended: Core 2 Duo 2 GHz, 2 GB RAM, graphic card 512 MB (GeForce 8800GT or better), 7 GB HDD, Windows XP/Vista/7
Some Need for Speed Games Are Pulled From Digital Stores Today. Forever
Today, Need for Speed Carbon, Need for Speed Undercover, Need for Speed Shift, Need for Speed Shift 2: Unleashed, and Need for Speed The Run will be pulled from digital distribution. EA also plans to end online support for all of these games after the holidays.
video games
Jacob Blazewicz
May 31, 2021