Need for Speed: Shift 2 (Limited Edition) Unleashed Free Download(Direct Link)

Shift 2: Unleashed is a highly challenging and exciting racing game which improves greatly on its predecessor. New features, such as the first-person helmet cam and the reworked graphics engine, make the driving seat a more thrilling place to be than it was in the first game. However, the car handling continues to tread the line between arcade and simulation, without mastering either. While Shift 2 turns the corner from full simulation, a compelling single-player Career mode, great online features and new Autolog integration make it an exciting and well-rounded package overall.



Shift 2 begins very much like the original, with a quick two-lap practice session to help it decide what difficulty level and which driving assists you require. Keeping your car out of the grass and away from the barriers becomes considerably more difficult as you turn off the assists, which means you can increase the challenge as you progress. However, Shift 2 is definitely not a true simulation of driving. The cars have a tendency to understeer in fast corners and oversteer in slow ones. This makes the game more exciting, allowing for big slides and a frantic pace, but it can also cause frustration if you prefer pure simulation, because it's difficult to predict your car's behaviour. Faster cars behave inconsistently at the same turn on different laps, so consistent lap times can be elusive. The game doesn't have a rewind feature, which adds to the frustration if you crash during one of the longer races at the end of the Career mode. The unpredictable handling means you may need to spend a lot of time tweaking the advanced control options as well, especially when using a wheel and pedals because the default settings just aren't responsive enough.



It's not just the handling that can catch you out in Shift 2. AI drivers are aggressive; if you give them an accidental nudge on the way into a corner, they're likely to retaliate at the next turn's exit. Competitive AI is a welcome addition, but allowing them to ram you off the road without punishment is taking things a little too far. At least they fight just as hard with each other, which sometimes allows you to cut through and gain multiple positions after crashes. Accidents look spectacular as well, with chunks of bodywork, glass, and rubber flying across the circuit. They look so good, in fact, that it's possible to enjoy a little hostility from your rivals from time to time.



Career mode forms the main single-player challenge in Shift 2. You start out in grass roots racing with slow cars, aiming to earn enough experience and money to work your way to the top. In this game, the top is the official FIA GT3 and GT1 Championships. You don't get every car and track from these real-life series and there is no pit-stop system; thus, official championships add some credibility to the game, but they aren't as authentically represented as you may hope. Despite this, the Career mode offers enough variety and rewards to keep you hooked for its duration. Each new discipline is introduced with footage of real drivers explaining the rules, tracks, and types of cars available. Some of these cutscenes are over the top and presented by people who clearly don't look comfortable on camera. More unique series, such as Drift, are also introduced with playable tutorials from these drivers to help you understand the best way to exploit your car's potential.



Career mode flows very quickly from one event to the next, and after only a couple of hours, you will have progressed from hatchbacks to supercars. This isn't to say the Career mode is short; in fact, the pace at which you win new cars and unlock new disciplines make Shift 2's Career both varied and constantly rewarding. There are also now more ways to earn cash for any cars you may have missed out on in the Career, and the ability to earn experience points and money when playing online lets you avoid the grind of repeating Career events to earn extra cash.

Download Need for Speed: Shift 2 Unleashed Free (Direct Link)