'Need for Speed: Shift' Races into App Store
posted by arn on December 17th, 2009 11:39 PM EST in $9.99, Racing, iPhone games, iPod touch games
EA's much anticipated Need for Speed: Shift has zoomed into the App Store this evening. We took an extensive look at the game last week and found it to be a remarkable iPhone racing game.
With licensed cars, control options that should make most people happy, and a very cool yet mostly superfluous driver profile and performance tracking system, Shift is a must-have for fans of the genre.
The game comes with 20 real licensed cars that can have both their visuals and performance upgraded. In the visuals department you can add a body kit, change paint colors, buy ridiculously huge spoilers, and change out your wheels. If you care more about your car actually going faster than looking cool, you can upgrade its top speed, acceleration, nitrous oxide system, as well as tires and suspension. Each of these upgrades come in multiple stages and once you've hit a car's limit to remain competitive in races you will need to buy new cars.
In each of the 3 locales you can participate in seven different types of events which range from standard races to drifting competitions, time trials, and the driver duel which pits you against a single AI opponent. There are 18 different courses total that can be unlocked.
Need for Speed: Shift includes a range of control options from full assist all the way to expert mode where you can manually shift the transmission. Regardless of which control mode you choose, acceleration is handled automatically and touching the screen applies the brakes. Really, the biggest downfall of the game is that it shares a name with the very impressive console title, and is unable to deliver on the immersive sense of speed that those versions are known for.
Readers have been exploring the game ever since it started being released internationally earlier today and reactions have been generally positive. Forum member howiedeano was unsure at first but has become a fan :
However, after sticking with it through the early races, it just gets better and better, the cpu cars put up a really good challenge, you have to concentrate on your driving and winning races requires effort & skill. You'll find yourself hugging the racing line to try and get better scores/rewards after the race and as you get past the slightly on rails feel, the controls actually work extremely well, drifting feels good, the cars look beautiful. It's really a game that sneaks up on you, I'm really addicted, tweaking my car with upgrades, retrying races, knowing I can go faster and win next time.
We also enjoyed it in our preview and described as a "must-have" for fans of the racing genre.
App Store Link: Need for Speed: Shift, $9.99
Yeah it's totally awesome and Great I got it and am loving everything about it, runs like a dream on my 3GS !!!!
YES thats good to hear
The console version really sneaks up on you as well. Even with the ps3/360 versions, it doesn't feel in the beginning as if you are playing anything special. But it will grow on you, big time, if you are a fan of racing games. Not suprised if the iPhone version gives off a similar vibe. There's a subtleness to the gameplay that takes a while to really get, I suppose. The cars are slow early, but they get faster. The tracks are tame in the beginning, but they get more complex. You have to play a while before you can begun to make real use of the upgrade system. The aggressive/precision point system also takes a while to catch on.
I played only 1 race and, trust me, lack of manual accelation be damned, it's awesome. It's ridiculous that you can purchase a game like this for 9.99. There are 28-events. That's as many as you could ask for for 10 bucks. The console version may have 100-plus, but it also costs 65.00.
It's decent, but can't compare with FORZA or GT
But those are big console games, not games for a personal media player with a 3.5" screen. Give The idevices a break, of course it's not going to be as good as $60 big name titles that cost literally millions to develope
uhh, I was referring to the console version of Shift :p
Gotcha, "it" is a very nondescript pronoun…
Is that a third gen device arn? I hope not, because I don't notice much of an upgrade in the graphics department. Wasn't there supposed to be "better textures, more effects, [and] smoother performance" according to SlideToPlay.com? I also don't see any magical blur.
After fifa massive bugs…even with the updates EA didn't manage to get rid of the reshuffling bug thou they mention they did…I dun think I will pay shift for 9.99…in fact Nova should be place 9.99…but good lord for gameloft Christmas gift…6.99! I didn't even hesitate…if you planning to choose between those 2 games…nova wins hands down…in terms of gameplay, graphics and story…they both different genre thou…I will stick with my nfs undercover…
Save your money and place your bets on vampire origins. Can't wait!
I can't get pass the drifting parts…
Real racing is cheaper, looks better and actually is better too. And the console version isn't very good in my opinion, I have shift and Forza 3, and Forza 3 gives you this awesome "wow I'm racing for real" feeling, wich shift doesn't.
Well this iPhone version isn't bad but it could be done better.
Um, not sure about the "looks better part"; I think both EA racing games look better graphics and presentation wise. But, I agree that Real Racing is a superior pure racing game. If you're considering purchasing a first racing game for your idevice, get either Real Racing if you like sim racing or NFS Undercover if you like arcade racing. Both steal at only $4.99. This game should drop to $6.99 in 1-2 months and then $4.99 2-3 months later.
my ears
My consciousness has to fresh out after buying N.O.V.A. yesterday, in order to allow me to spend more money for an AppStore game.
Looks slow as hell
What about the performance issues mentioned in other reviews, especially on the Older 3G and 2G iphone models?
On my 2G it's jerky…. sometimes only 1-2 fps (in the next lap, the same place it's 15 fps… I dunno why)
trackback: http://www.revjuegosiphone.com/2009/12/need-for-speed-shift-ya-disponible/
Wow, thought this was gonna be better.
As soon as this hit 4.99 it's mine!!!!!
Probably in 3-4 months.
Ten bucks seems pretty steep to me.
I can't believe it's still "on rails".
I'd like to be able to steer my car where I want to, oh and maybe use the gas pedal too.
Let me expand upon this: the racing mechanic here is that the car automatically drives through the course, and you only control slowing down and minor adjustment to steering.
It's a shame really.
Eurgh. That\'s me out. Roll on GT Racing – not bothered about the graphics that much.
gee its on rails fuk thatthen.