You should be able to sense the road surface through the vehicle, even without force feedback.
#Nfs shift demo pc driver#
To put it simply, perhaps one of the most important things in a driving game is that it captures that connection between driver and road. Sadly, smashing head first into a wall will not result in a first-person Flotout-style ragdoll dive through the windscreen. Should you then crash, you'll feel it, and you'll sympathise with your poor, abused avatar as he grunts and the screen jolts into a monochrome haze. Should your car slide over the edge of the track and onto the grass or gravel, you'll notice with satisfaction (or panic) that the rough terrain is dragging those two wheels slightly, and your vehicle is beginning to tug in that direction. On that note, the physics have received a lick of paint too since last we ventured into the NFS franchise.
On the highest realism settings, simply keeping all four wheels on the track is challenging, yet this is a matter of skill rather than dodgy physics. I can tell you with great certainty that it feels good.Īfter a prolonged absence from the series, the driver's seat view returns with great aplomb, adding a fantastic level of detail and immersion to the proceedings, and somehow further emphasising the weight and power of whatever vehicle you're driving. "But how does it feel?" you might be asking, like somebody whose friend has just stuck their hand in a pot of poo. That being said, while Shifts central concept and aim is somewhat different to the badassery of previous NFS titles, it hasn't been left entirely untouched by its predecessors. As such, if you're of the opinion that your brain is likely to melt and dribble out through your nostrils at the thought of races without jumps, police or loud music proclaiming the benefits of "bitches" and "bling", you might want to hold a bowl beneath your chin for the remainder of this review. The latest in a long line of games dating back to the early '90s, Shift marks a supposed radical change in the franchise, pushing aside The Fast and The Furious-style street racing in favour of realistic real-world tracks. To further confuse you and convince you that power slides are a good idea, along comes Need For Speed: Shift. Proudly discussing the many hours you've spent speeding around virtual tracks is one of them.Īs much as you'll hate me for destroying your dreams, apparently "trading paint'' isn't something to aim for, drifting is not acceptable behaviour when driving to Tewkesbury, and revving the guts out of your Fiesta as you wait for the lights to change will not result inĪ perfect launch and propel you to victory. When Learning HowTo Drive, There Are Things That Put Your Drivinginstructor a little on edge.