Need for Speed ​​Shift 2 Unleashed is the sequel to the legendary NFS series released in 2011. Actually, the second "Shift", like the first one, is now an independent line of games under the famous brand. If anyone doesn't already know, we'll explain - now the Shift games and the rest of Need for Speed ​​​​will be separated - the former are harsh racing simulators, and the latter will remain what they have been for almost the entire history of the NFS series - ordinary arcade racing. This was clearly shown by the last two Need for Speed ​​games to date - if Hot Pursuit was distinguished by a pronounced arcade, then Need for Speed ​​Shift 2 Unleashed sometimes evoked thoughts that everything was too realistic and complicated. However, first things first.

The sequel to a line of racing games first introduced in 2009 with the release of the first Shift, Need for Speed ​​Shift 2 Unleashed was developed by Slightly Mad Studios. Here, the creators have made serious efforts to make their creation even more realistic and exciting than the first part. For this, the capabilities of the new software core, globally redesigned graphics, a new view from the camera on the rider's helmet, the races now take place at night, which not only adds variety to the races, but also increases the complexity - breaking the headlights, you will seriously reduce your chances of finishing victory. Add here also a modified system for the destruction of cars and race tracks, we get an almost completely new game, which is noticeably different from its predecessor.

Like in the first part, we start our career in Need for Speed ​​Shift 2 Unleashed with a short run. It not only introduces you to the basic nuances of the gameplay, but also aims to determine the level of your driving skills in order to adjust the difficulty level accordingly, which you yourself can change at any time convenient for you.

The game automatically selects the degree of damage to equipment during the race, due to which it becomes incredibly flexible. From it you can make strictly the game that you would like. Fans of realistic racing simulators can turn off all the "auxiliary" car control functions, getting hardcore races in terms of complexity. The realism of the gameplay, in this case, is absolutely beyond doubt - during development, the creators worked closely with professional racers, finding out from the latter all the subtleties and nuances of driving a particular car, the behavior of each specific model presented in the game.

But Need for Speed ​​Shift 2 Unleashed is also amazing for beginners, or players who just want to relax, for whom all the complexity associated with realism is useless. By including hints and various stabilizers of the car's behavior on the track, you will turn it from a realistic simulator into an arcade race, without a single hint of naturalness. And this is great - everyone will be able to customize the game for themselves, because you can do something in between a simulator and an arcade, it all depends on the desire and personal preferences of a particular player.

Such freedom of choice is generally characteristic of this game, not only in terms of realism settings. The variety is also manifested in the gameplay - the range of auto settings is simply the widest, but no one will force you to change anything in your car, as in NFS Underground. Everything is entirely voluntary. You can take care of the appearance of the car, with the help of visual tuning, transforming it almost beyond recognition, or you can go through all the settings of the suspension, engine, etc. It is possible, of course, to set up both - here, too, complete freedom of action.

As for the process of racing in Need for Speed ​​Shift 2 Unleashed - the game has taken a solid step forward compared to its predecessor, but ... the creators still have something to work on. If the arcade component of the project is simply flawless, it is impossible to find fault with it, then everything is a little more complicated in the simulator. The car behaves on the track, according to the real racers who took part in the development, extremely realistic. Skids, collision damage and a bunch of other small details can't help but impress. But there is one big "But" - the artificial intelligence of opponents.

It does not look exactly like intelligence at all on high difficulty settings - it just looks like a well-oiled mechanism. One gets the impression that robots, not people, are sitting behind the wheel of opponent cars, and this is already a significant minus. What is it expressed in? Firstly, opponents at high difficulty levels are practically not mistaken at all. At least during the testing of the game with these settings, I did not notice a single error from opponents. Secondly, they always and steadily follow the ideal trajectory for each route, which is also seen as impossible for live opponents. Well, you can’t deviate from the ideal trajectory even once, not even half a meter during the entire race! But rivals in Need for Speed ​​Shift 2 Unleashed can. Thirdly, competitors behave extremely aggressively, and if in the arcade mode it's a lot of fun, then with the "simulator" settings, this driving style looks like a bad joke. Real racers, despite all the thirst for victory, still have self-preservation instincts. And our virtual opponents do not know anything at all about this - they madly ram both you and each other, pushing them off the track and breaking cars. But you can get used to this, although the impressions of realism after that are somewhat spoiled.

But Need for Speed ​​Shift 2 Unleashed takes another. For example, the most extensive fleet of vehicles - it really amazes, here everyone will find equipment to their liking. The number of tracks has also noticeably increased, which adds variety to the races, which was lacking in the first part, and if you add here the presence of night races, you won’t be bored at all.

In conclusion, I would like to note the schedule. It has been its trump card for almost the entire existence of the Need for Speed ​​Shift series. Need for Speed ​​Shift 2 Unleashed is no exception. The picture looks simply amazing, it looks much more like a movie or a live broadcast of races from a camera mounted on a pilot's helmet than the computer graphics that we are used to. Vibration when leaving the highway and in sharp turns at speed, after collisions the picture floats, you can stain the windshield if you fly from asphalt to gravel ... Everything is amazingly beautiful and spectacular - the cars look like real ones, with all the reflections and reflections, with detailed, the damage model is generally amazing, it's hard to describe in words, it's better to see for yourself. The detailing of the tracks is also at a high level, although this is not at all so important, given the speeds at which you have to drive. But if you stop and look at the world around you, you can notice many small details that please the eye. Night races are distinguished by a special flavor - there are special impressions here. And it’s also better to see for yourself how beautiful everything looks. By the way, due to the worst view, such races are not for soft-bodied racers, a quick reaction is needed.

Summing up, it is worth noting that the main advantages of Need for Speed ​​Shift 2 Unleashed are amazing graphics, flexibility of settings, thanks to which the game will appeal to almost everyone, a huge selection of cars, a wide variety of tracks, the appearance of night races, the realistic behavior of cars in races, and many others strengths.

There are significantly fewer drawbacks, but, in fairness, they should also be named - it’s almost impossible to play at high difficulty settings, opponents drive too flawlessly, while showing serious aggression both towards you and their “electronic” colleagues, the career mode is rather short, system requirements can also be attributed to the disadvantages, but this is a fee for a gorgeous picture on the monitor. As for such graphics, the system requirements of Need for Speed ​​Shift 2 Unleashed can hardly be called high.

In a word, the game pleasantly impressed. It's not perfect, but it has more advantages than disadvantages.

Shift - from the English "change, change, shift."

Need for Speed: Shift, scary to think, the thirteenth game in the series! And if we count the “special editions” of the first and second parts, it’s the fifteenth. Solid numbers, and the reputation of the series is solid, albeit peculiar. Will they get it right this time? Let's decide now.

In principle, the ordinal number is not so important, it is interesting that, as has long been customary, each odd part turns out to be very, very interesting, in contrast to the ambiguous even parts. Shift is no exception. Gone are the attempts to make an action movie based on the game, underground gangs, half-naked Hollywood beauties in every second frame and other husks that intersect with racing simulators insofar as are forgotten. It's time for speed, nervous tension, tight turns and a huge number of real racing cars.

In Shift, this time the bet is not on Hollywood stars, but on a variety of cars and tracks. Strange decision for racing, right?

The starting car is given to you for one race. On it you can earn your first money to buy your own vehicle.

No, of course, what kind of race without charming ladies before the race!.. But they will appear only to hold the flag or logo of the race before the start. And no movie scenes! All on a fair chart.

At the very beginning of the game, your invisible assistant, who, apparently, is also your manager, somehow got a BMW M3 car for a couple of starting races.

First, you will try it in the starting race, which will not give any advantages, it will only help determine your level and driving style. At the end of the test lap, the assistant will offer you a list of game difficulty and controls for approval. You should not take them right away, the test lap is too short, it is better to drive it several times in order to understand the physics of driving. Follow the path shown by the arrows - this is the ideal direction of movement.

This is interesting: the ideal trajectory (if you have not turned it off) helps to pass the track in the shortest possible time. Thanks to the flowers you can choose the right speed mode. When the arrows are green, calmly add gas, if they turn yellow, release the pedal so as not to fly out of the path. Red corridor - slow down, your speed is too high!

From the tips on the track, the driver, of course, also has a map that displays the current position of the car. It is located in the lower left corner of the screen, but at the same time it is so pale that it is quite difficult to notice it right away. For example, I noticed it only after twenty races. But in vain. A very useful thing!

It is best not to disable the auxiliary stability control systems (ABS, APS) when setting the difficulty of the game; the first cars are prone to skidding, and constantly flying off the track is a loss of points and money. Also, at first it is better not to turn off the forced braking along the ideal trajectory. Before the turns marked in red, the car itself will release the gas. This will help you quickly get used to the physics of the game. Starting from the second level, if you want to feel full control over the car, it is better to disable this feature.

After a test run and determination of the optimal parameters, you will have to participate in the first race - all on the same BMW M3. After this competition, the car will have to be returned, and you will have to buy your own vehicle. For winning the first race, you will receive from 23 to 40 thousand dollars, which is enough to buy almost any car of the first level. In addition to cash, you'll earn up to three stars that help you unlock new stages of the game, and Pilot Profile Points that increase your personal pilot level.

Default settings, optimal for beginners. Further it will be possible to complicate them.

It seems that these "prizes" were invented at the last moment only in order to add at least something more ... There is no benefit from them.

The main goal is an invitation to the Need for Speed ​​championship. You will gain access to it only after you get enough stars and open the races of all four levels.

I note that even before the end of the first level, I already had access to the third level of competitions and cars. And by the middle of the second I received an invitation to the championship. To do this, it is enough to complete each race with the maximum number of stars, which is not so difficult at the initial levels. But the pilot's profile points are accrued almost in parallel with the passage of the race. The maximum personal driver level is fiftieth. Each new unlocked personal level gives some kind of promotion, sponsorship money, extra car space in the garage, access to new car paints, and so on. Every tenth level also gives a prize car, which cannot be used in career races, only on fast races outside the ranking.

A dubious encouragement, to be honest, especially since these cars are just a copy of the ones you can buy, but with some improvements. Improvements, however, can be installed for money.

	ADVANTAGES	FLAWS
Fascination 9	interesting tracks, optimal camera positions	sometimes unnecessarily long competitions
Graphic arts 9	a wonderful picture even on mid-range video cards of the new generation...	... but on older video cards - alas!
Sound 8	as usual, nothing more	everything is too "as usual"
Game world 9	new pilot profile system, online mode	a lot of "extra" cars on the list, an indistinct career
Convenience 7	a large selection of settings, a clear reward system	very confusing menu

Pilot career

Stars

The main thing in the career of a pilot. The more stars you get from each race, the faster you will gain access to new tasks and new levels. In any race, there is an opportunity to earn at least three stars by taking first place. Accordingly, taking second, you get two stars out of three, taking third - only one. Most of the tracks also have additional tasks, completing which you can get up to three more stars. You cannot get the same star twice, but you can try to pass the track again to get the remaining ones.

All additional tasks for getting stars

Prior to being invited to the World Championship, pdtpls is the most important single player component. After receiving - only for yourself, for the soul.

Score a certain number of points - two stars are given, the first for the number of points equal to N, the second - for the number of points equal to N, multiplied by two.

Speed ​​limit - overcome the set speed.

Slip - perform a specified number of turns with a skid.

Lap time - beat the given lap time.

Trajectory - complete 75 percent of the circle on an ideal trajectory.

Pure circle — complete a lap without leaving the track.

Drift time (for drift races) - stay in a skid for a certain number of seconds.

Knock out rivals - push a certain number of cars off the track, while remaining within the track.

slip time - go through a turn with a skid, remaining in it for a certain number of seconds.

Circle leader - stay in first place for a full circle

Perfect Turns - complete all the turns at the master level.

Player Profile Points

Pilot Profile Points provide small but nice perks.

They are awarded during the race and make it possible, in addition to receiving stars, to open new personal levels of the pilot. You can behave both aggressively and carefully on the track, regardless of driving style, points are added up. Usually the ratio of points of aggression and accuracy is somewhere around one to two and a half. Although if you set a goal, you can drive the track completely carefully. Completely aggressive is impossible, because, one way or another, you will have to cross the turns and the ideal trajectory. A complete list of rewards for reaching new levels: money, prize cars, additional garage spaces, new car paints, new rims, new body appliqués and invitations to races outside the storyline.

That, in fact, is the whole set, which is opened step by step on the way to the top of your career. And if for reaching the second level you will receive 15,000 dollars, then for reaching the fiftieth - already two million. However, with a successful career and first places in most races, there will be no shortage of money, there will be more likely a problem with free places in the garage.

Aggressiveness

Knocking an opponent off the track - while you yourself must stay within the route.

Dirty Overtaking - overtake an opponent, hitting him at the same time.

Slip stream - hang on the tail of the opponent.

Push - hitting an enemy car.

blocking Don't let the car following you overtake you.

Head-on collision - collision of two cars on a collision course. Pretty rare in a race.

Slip - go through a turn with a skid without flying off the track.

Accuracy

Clean sector - passing part of the route without going beyond its limits and collisions.

Top speed - set the maximum speed on the track.

Accurate trajectory — follow the direction of the ideal trajectory.

master turn — entry into the turn at maximum speed, precise passage of the ideal trajectory, exit from the turn without skidding.

Clean overtaking - overtaking an opponent without contact with him and without leaving the track.

This is interesting: in races with a mass start, first try to get the maximum points for aggression, and when you get into the lead, drive carefully.

Cars and tasks in the game

The game has four levels. Each level has its own class of cars. A lower class can be used at a higher level, vice versa - in no way. The choice of cars is very extensive. Prices at the first level range from $18,000 to $46,000. The price range of the second level is from $50,000 to $110,000. The third level is from $120,000 to $300,000. Well, on the fourth one, you will have to fork out in the amount of $420,000 to $1,200,000. Although the cars of the fourth class have one indisputable advantage - they do not need to be modified, they are already in the maximum configuration. But the improvements of the first three classes will have to spend a tidy sum.

Each of the machines can be modified to suit your needs. Install nitrous oxide, lighten the body, install a new body kit, new wheels, strengthen the suspension, brakes, and so on - this can be done with any car of the first three classes. “Developing” a first-level machine is the longest task. There are three upgrade levels in total. A second-class car does not need the first stage of refinement, just as a third-class car does not need the first two stages.

Not all cars are suitable for nitrous and drift modifications. Is it possible to install them on the model you like - see the list of cars. All-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive cars are not suitable for drifting at all.

It is important: the drive of the car is the key to its handling in the turn. The rear-wheel drive is brought out of the skid by dumping gas, the front-wheel drive, on the contrary, by an increase. Four-wheel drive is better through corners - but at lower speeds. It is desirable to enter the turn in full and rear wheel drive at a constant speed, without braking or accelerating. It is very difficult to cope with the skidding of all-wheel drive.

This is what the car looks like from the store.

And so - a car that has undergone factory refinement and "cosmetic" tuning of appearance.

Well, the most important improvement that can be put on a car is factory. If, when buying a car, you see a “W” icon next to it, it means that the car has a complete refinement kit from the factory. True, it is not cheap at all. For example, installing such a kit on a first class car will cost $ 150,000, a second - $ 250,000, a third - $ 350,000. And that's not all the expenses, because you can put such an add-on only on a fully "developed" car. The final cost of a first class car often exceeds the initial cost by more than ten times!

Take, for example, the Honda S2000, a $35,000 first-class car. After installing a full three-level kit and upgrading the cab and bodywork, the price rose to $371,000. Well, after the factory refinement - right up to $ 521,000! But, for example, a factory modification of a third-level car worth $300,000 ends up at $912,000.

It is important: you can sell the purchased car for exactly the same amount that you spent on it, all installed add-ons are also taken into account when selling. The only thing that can suffer is nitrous oxide during factory refinement. Apparently, the factory believes that such a serious work on the car is incompatible with the "street" improvements. Winning cars cannot be sold.

Level 1

Cars

There is probably no clear leader among these cars, there are only obvious outsiders. In terms of handling, I liked the Chevrolet Cobalt SS and Ford Escort RS Cosworth the most. Well, if you buy the first car, win a couple of races, earn money, then sell it and buy a Nissan 350Z, then you will definitely be out of competition. True, it is not subject to factory refinement, but it is great for drifting. However, I know people who have had a Toyota Corolla GTS as their favorite car for three levels in a row.

Competitions

Race Coalition (race) — competition in your personal car, several laps on the track. At the next levels, this type of competition is excluded from the general tasks, it occurs only in mixed competitions. The maximum number of stars is 25.

- several identical cars of the same brand compete with each other. The race takes place in duel mode and lasts up to two victories. The car is issued before the start. Limited to Tier 1 vehicles. The maximum number of stars is 20.

Duel is a pilot competition. To win, you must either break away from your opponent for more than five seconds (it is believed that in this case you will no longer be able to catch up), or come to the finish line first.

This is interesting: opponents are capable of mistakes! If you hang on the tail of the car in front for a long time, the pilot's nerves can not stand it, and he will make a mistake at the entrance to the turn, flying off the track!

Time Attack (time trial) - competition on your personal car, the number of laps on the track is limited by a time of three minutes. After this time, the last lap starts. Whoever sets the fastest lap time of all time wins. Just like the "race" class, it is excluded from the general tasks in the following levels and can only be found in mixed competitions. The maximum number of stars is 24.

A simple race or time trial takes place on a single track. A race series (or time trial series) consists of several tracks within a single event. For winning on all tracks in the series, an additional amount is paid, usually equal to the amount for winning on one track.

As you reach new levels of the pilot, you will open races by invitation. These are not mandatory tasks, but are a good chance to earn good money at the lowest levels. Quite often already at the first level there are invitations to competitions on cars of the second and even third levels. The races themselves consist of different types of competitions, which have already been described above and will be listed below, however, a new type will be added that is not present in a regular career − knockout races. The action takes place on small tracks, and with each lap, the last one to reach the finish line leaves the race.

Level 2

Starting from this level, you should have more than enough money to buy two or three cars with their subsequent serious refinement at the factory. You can replenish the garage with cars both for the soul with external refinement, and for sports.

Cars

The ambitions of the Porsche Cayman S are a little incomprehensible: the car is more expensive than any other in this class, but it doesn’t drive very well compared to the same Nissan Skyline GT-R ... Yes, and it will not be possible to refine this handsome man at the factory, while the Skyline is easy. For lovers of aesthetic pleasure, as well as American-made cars, I will advise you to buy a Ford Shelby GT500 and carry out its complete factory refinement. Made on the basis of the Ford Mustang, the "charged" version with a branded cobra on the door is one of the best cars in terms of weight to power ratio. 540 "horses" with an incomplete two tons of weight - an excellent indicator!

Yes, and such a car in a factory body kit will be very good to drive, quite enough for competitions with third-level cars.

Competitions

Mixed Event (mixed racing) - consists of a series of simple races and time trials in your personal Tier 1 or Tier 2 car. If you finish on the podium in each of the races, a prize competition with a strong opponent will open in a duel format. The maximum number of stars is 39.

Drift (drift) - one of the most spectacular types of competitions. You need to beat the opponent's points by sending the car into a slide. The car is issued before the start. The maximum number of stars is 24.

Beautiful, effective, but catastrophically inconvenient to pass on the keyboard!!!

In truth, drifting is one of the most difficult elements of the game. How many bones were washed to the developers on this occasion - do not count! And all due to the fact that on the track you constantly need to dose the gas "half the pedal." And how to do it on the keyboard?! In general, your humble servant honestly tried to complete the game without a steering wheel and pedals, but after a couple of three wasted hours, he went to buy a steering wheel. So what to do? You need to go through the game, although before that I was strenuously proving to everyone that the steering wheel is not at all necessary if you just want to enjoy the game and do not belong to professional racers.

Car Battle (car battle) — a duel of two cars of the second level. The car is issued before the start. The maximum number of stars is 18.

Mixed Series (competitions: mixed series) - take place in your own car and consist of races, time trials and drifting. If there is a prize-winning place in each of the competitions, an additional competition with the strongest driver opens, which takes place in a duel format. The maximum number of stars is 57.

USA Series (competitions: USA) - racing on your car, but only American-made. Consist of simple races and races against the clock. Based on the results of prize places in all competitions, a prize race with an aggressive opponent in the duel format opens. The maximum number of stars is 39.

Japan Series (competitions: Japan) - racing in your car. Restriction - a Japanese-made car. Consist of drift and time trials. When taking prizes in all competitions, you will have a duel with a strong opponent from this series. The maximum number of stars is 39.

Europe Series (competitions: Europe) - the same as the previous two series, limited to a European-built car, consisting of racing and drifting. Reward for prize-winning places - a duel with a strong opponent of this series. The maximum number of stars is 39.

Level 3

Cars

The third level is the level of luxury. The entire fleet of Arab sheikhs, James Bond's favorite brand and the pride of American muscle car automakers - everything is here. Unfortunately, only a few of them are subject to factory refinement.

Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 with the possibility of factory refinement is, of course, strong! And this is the highest rated car in the stock class!

True, it was not without a fly in the ointment - all-wheel drive. This will most likely upset fans of monodrives, but they also have where to roam. Nissan GT-R, Dodge Viper, Chevrolet Corvette - and all can be upgraded at the factory. Personally, in terms of handling, I really liked the most charged Chevrolet Corvette Z06. But the Mercedes-Benz SL65 tuned by AMG frankly disappointed with its lack of controllability in corners and sluggish acceleration dynamics, so when you get to the battle of cars with this car, remember these lines.

Competitions

It is rather difficult to identify the car after the finish line ...

Mixed Track (mixed tracks) — competitions on your car. A long series of time trials and simple races. For places on the podium on all tracks - a duel with an opponent. The maximum number of stars is 76.

Car Battle (car battle) - the same as at the second level, but for machines of the third level. The maximum number of stars is 12.

Manufacturer Competition (competition of manufacturers) - The conditions are the same as at the first level. Of the differences - the restriction to cars of level 3. The maximum number of stars is 24.

USA vs. Europe (American cars vs European) - time trials, simple races, series of simple races and time trials. As in other confrontations between countries, there are quite long races, but victories in them bring good earnings. The maximum number of stars is 48.

Japan vs. USA (Japanese vs American cars) - time trial, drift, time trial series, drift series. The maximum number of stars is 47.

Europe vs. Japan (European vs. Japanese cars) - simple race, drift, simple race series, drift series. The maximum number of stars is 48.

Endurance (endurance racing) - the longest competition in the game. The total length is from 15 to 70 kilometers. There are five tracks in the series, the prize for winning each of them is a duel with an opponent. The maximum number of stars is 33.

The Endurance series is rightfully considered the most tiring of the entire career. Three laps along the famous long Nordschleife is another gift. At the same time, opponents are very, very strong even at low difficulty levels. well and thirty laps on a five-hundred-meter track in the form of a Hazyview Eight figure-eight, and in a few minutes they turn into a mess of cars! Not only is it so crowded there, but also the track intersects in the center.

Level 4

Cars

At this level, you can buy yourself a real racing car, a "supercar". They are not subject to any modifications. True, the prices bite.

Cars of the third and fourth levels are a combination of luxury and speed. This is the very fine line, having crossed which the driver will have to abandon the expensive upholstery in dinosaur skin and metal melted down from the remains of the Terminator, and sit in the salon, from which all unnecessary has been removed for the sake of Her Majesty Speed. And if the third level is still a little before traits, then the fourth is a small step behind hell. There, where a herd of 1000 horses and Spartan conditions are not considered something out of the ordinary. Well, maybe a little phoenix skin on the dashboard. And the stitching of sports seats from silkworm threads brought from China several centuries ago. But no more!

The podium of the final races as a reflection of the level of cars of the fourth class.

Currently, the Bugatti Veyron is the most powerful car on earth that is allowed to travel on public roads. True, the game indicates the power of 1000 hp, but I will allow myself to correct - still 1001 hp. The designers just set themselves the task of breaking the psychological mark of one thousand horsepower, and they succeeded. However, the engine had to be made appropriate - 16.4 liters! Those are two buckets, by the way. The second car is the Pagani Zonda R. It has a quarter less power than the Bugatti, but it weighs 678 kilograms less! In terms of mass to power ratio of 1.89 (Bugatti) to 1.61 (Pagani), the Zonda R wins.

Such a difference in numbers is a huge gap! Sometimes hundredths decide the matter, and here the gap is more than two tenths. Yes, and the Pagani Zonda R has a rear-wheel drive, while the Bugatti has a full one. This is also reflected in the game. Almost every race that these two cars compete in ends with either a Pagani or a Bugatti podium finish. Much more than the first. Imbalanced, so to speak.

Competitions

Manufacturer Competition (competition of manufacturers) - the conditions are the same as at the first and third levels. Of the differences - the restriction to cars of level 4. The maximum number of stars is 24.

Car Battle (car battle) - the same as at the third level, but for cars of the fourth level. The maximum number of stars is 12.

Works Competition (competition of cars that have undergone factory refinement) - your personal car, the level is unlimited. The competition consists of two races and three series of races. If you win on all tracks, you will have access to a duel with a strong opponent. The maximum number of stars is 81.

It is important: the remaining duels will take place with a really strong opponent who practically does not allow himself to make mistakes. In this case, there are two options - either try to knock out the opponent at one of the first turns and thus break away from him for five seconds, or try to go through the entire track as accurately as possible, catching up with the opponent closer to the end of the track.

Supercars Competition (fourth class car competition) - the rules are the same as for the competition of cars that have passed the factory revision, as well as the duel - a reward for places on the podium. The maximum number of stars is 81.

Manufacturer Competition (competition of manufacturers) - this time you will not be given a car, in order to earn stars and points, you will have to provide the car to the start yourself. The class and level of refinement of the car is not important. The competition consists of five races. You will need cars of the brands Posche, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, BMW, Nissan. The maximum number of stars is 30.

Works vs. Supercars Championship — consists of two races and three series of races. Passes on your car. The maximum number of stars is 78.

Well, that's all, all series of races are left behind, the necessary experience has been gained, favorite cars have been determined, there is money, places in the garage are packed to capacity ... It's time to move to the big leagues - NFS World Tour.

NFS World Tour

There will be no new cars here, the main task at this stage is to get to the NFS World Championship. To do this, you need to go through two series of races USA and World. In fact, there is nothing new in these races, even the difficulty is not high, we managed to pass them all on the first try. I will not hide the fact that in the previous stages, some races had to be restarted more than a dozen times.

NFS Live: USA Series (American Series) - any of your car levels 1-4, a series of races on four tracks with five laps each. The maximum number of stars is 20.

NFS Live: World Series (World Series) - the rules are the same as in the American series. The only difference is that the series consists of five tracks, five laps on four tracks and one full lap on the Nordschleife. The maximum number of stars is 25.

NFS World Championship (NFS World Championship) - the last race in the storyline. A simple race of five laps. Quite an easy track, the opponents are not more difficult than in the previous levels, in general, there are no difficulties. It is not even clear why there was so much pathos. The maximum number of stars is 6.

After the final credits of the game went on, to be honest, it seemed to me that something was missing from me. Or have I overlooked something. Already somehow everything came out crumpled ... No, in no case is it bad, but it was the feeling of incompleteness that haunted me. It is clear that the strange construction of a career is partly to blame for this, but there was still something else.

A little later, I realized what it was. In an online game.

Having run over enough with virtual rivals, now you can easily move on to competitions with real rivals. What I, in fact, am going to do as soon as this text is completed. Well, maybe not quite right away, first I will earn the remaining stars. True, why do I need them now, I don’t know yet, apparently, for self-affirmation ...

A few words about the soundtrack ... Of course, on the track you need to listen to the sound of the engine so that you can navigate it to change gears. But where in the modern world without a quality soundtrack! I remember this has always been a hallmark of the games in the Need for Speed ​​series. This time, Electronic Arts included in the list of songs, among which there were even The Prodigy, the Russian band TOKIO with the song "Catch Up". Well, let's be happy for the guys. Quite a dynamic song, very in the spirit of the game. And in general, everything turned out as expected. Nothing superfluous, the ear does not hurt. And even if it cut, nothing prevents you from turning off the music and enjoying the rich sound of the engine and the squeal of tires. But personally for me, the best game in the series in terms of music so far remains NFS: Underground 2.

Although the taste and color of all felt-tip pens are different ...

But a large number of cars is not only a plus, but also a minus of the game. If earlier each of a relatively small set of cars was unique in its own way, now it is quite difficult to feel the difference between them. Undoubtedly, there are absolute leaders, as well as absolute outsiders - but now it often comes down to the fact that " I have a Pagani Zonda R and ten other cars in full body kit, which are just beautiful».

On the network, some have already managed to call the game a simulator - yet this is not so. Rather, "arcade racing with simulator elements." Yes, there are precise settings for the chassis and steering (although many will not even get into these settings), a system of body kits, engine and suspension improvements, and so on are also present. If desired, each player can customize the control so that it is very similar to a real car, and driving it on the track will not be easy at all. But the car, even when driving with the steering wheel (and not on the keyboard), behaves a little "arcade". So the game clearly did not deserve the title of "simulator".

On the other hand, do we need it? A little simplicity never hurt anyone. Would we like Shift if we had to get used to the controls within a week or two?

Guides - Guide and Walkthrough for "Need for Speed ​​SHIFT"

Need for Speed: Shift, scary to think, the thirteenth game in the series! And if we count the “special editions” of the first and second parts, then it’s the fifteenth. Solid numbers, and the reputation of the series is solid, albeit peculiar. Will they get it right this time?

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Guides

Shift - from the English "change, change, shift."

Need for Speed: Shift, scary to think, the thirteenth game in the series! And if we count the “special editions” of the first and second parts, then it’s the fifteenth. Solid numbers, and the reputation of the series is solid, albeit peculiar. Will they get it right this time? Let's decide now.

In principle, the ordinal number is not so important, it is interesting that, as has long been customary, each odd part turns out to be very, very interesting, in contrast to the ambiguous even parts. Shift is no exception. Gone are the attempts to make an action movie based on the game, underground gangs, half-naked Hollywood beauties in every second frame and other husks that intersect with racing simulators insofar as are forgotten. It's time for speed, nervous tension, tight turns and a huge number of real racing cars.

No, of course, what kind of race without charming ladies before the race!.. But they will appear only to hold the flag or logo of the race before the start. And no movie scenes! All on a fair chart.

At the very beginning of the game, your invisible assistant, who, apparently, is also your manager, somehow got a BMW M3 car for a couple of starting races.

First, you will try it in the starting race, which will not give any advantages, it will only help determine your level and driving style. At the end of the test lap, the assistant will offer you a list of game difficulty and controls for approval. You should not take them right away, the test lap is too short, it is better to drive it several times in order to understand the physics of driving. Follow the path shown by the arrows - this is the ideal direction of travel.

This is interesting: the ideal trajectory (if you have not turned it off) helps to pass the track in the shortest possible time. Thanks to the flowers you can choose the right speed mode. When the arrows are green, calmly add gas, if they turn yellow, release the pedal so as not to fly out of the path. Red corridor - slow down, your speed is too high!

From the tips on the track, the driver, of course, also has a map that displays the current position of the car. It is located in the lower left corner of the screen, but at the same time it is so pale that it is quite difficult to notice it right away. For example, I noticed it only after twenty races. But in vain. A very useful thing!

It is best not to disable the auxiliary stability control systems (ABS, APS) when setting the difficulty of the game; the first cars are prone to skidding, and constantly flying off the track is a loss of points and money. Also, at first it is better not to turn off the forced braking along the ideal trajectory. Before the turns marked in red, the car itself will release the gas. This will help you quickly get used to the physics of the game. Starting from the second level, if you want to feel full control over the car, it is better to disable this feature.

After a test run and determination of the optimal parameters, you will have to participate in the first race - all on the same BMW M3. After this competition, the car will have to be returned, and you will have to buy your own vehicle. For winning the first race, you will receive from 23 to 40 thousand dollars, which is enough to buy almost any car of the first level. In addition to cash, you'll earn up to three stars that help you unlock new stages of the game, and Pilot Profile Points that increase your personal pilot level.

The main goal is an invitation to the Need for Speed ​​championship. You will only get access to it after you get enough stars and open the races of all four levels. .

I note that even before the end of the first level, I already had access to the third level of competitions and cars. And by the middle of the second I received an invitation to the championship. To do this, it is enough to complete each race with the maximum number of stars, which is not so difficult at the initial levels. But the pilot's profile points are accrued almost in parallel with the passage of the race. The maximum personal driver level is fiftieth. Each new unlocked personal level gives some kind of promotion, sponsorship money, extra car space in the garage, access to new car paints, and so on. Every tenth level also gives a prize car, which cannot be used in career races, only on fast races outside the ranking.

A dubious encouragement, to be honest, especially since these cars are just a copy of the ones you can buy, but with some improvements. Improvements, however, can be installed for money.

Pilot career

Stars

The main thing in the career of a pilot. The more stars you get from each race, the faster you will gain access to new tasks and new levels. In any race, there is an opportunity to earn at least three stars by taking first place. Accordingly, taking second, you get two stars out of three, taking third - only one. Most of the tracks also have additional tasks, completing which you can get up to three more stars. You cannot get the same star twice, but you can try to pass the track again to get the remaining ones.

All additional tasks for getting stars

Score a certain number of points- two stars are given, the first for the number of points equal to N, the second - for the number of points equal to N multiplied by two.

Speed ​​limit- overcome the set speed.

slip - perform a given number of turns with a skid.

Lap time- beat the given lap time.

Trajectory - complete 75 percent of the circle on the ideal path.

Pure circle- complete a lap without leaving the track.

Drift time (for drift races)- stay in a drift for a certain number of seconds.

Knock out rivals- push a certain number of cars off the track, while remaining within the track.

slip time - go through a corner with a skid, remaining in it for a certain number of seconds.

Circle leader- stay in first place for a full circle

Perfect Turns- go through all the turns at the master level.

Player Profile Points

They are awarded during the race and make it possible, in addition to receiving stars, to open new personal levels of the pilot. You can behave both aggressively and carefully on the track, regardless of driving style, points are added up. Usually the ratio of points of aggression and accuracy is somewhere around one to two and a half. Although if you set a goal, you can drive the track completely carefully. Completely aggressive is impossible, because, one way or another, you will have to cross the turns and the ideal trajectory. A complete list of rewards for reaching new levels: money, prize cars, additional garage spaces, new car paints, new rims, new body appliqués and invitations to races outside the storyline.

That, in fact, is the whole set, which is opened step by step on the way to the top of your career. And if for reaching the second level you will receive 15,000 dollars, then for reaching the fiftieth - already two million. However, with a successful career and first places in most races, there will be no shortage of money, there will be more likely a problem with free places in the garage.

Aggressiveness

Knocking an opponent off the track At the same time, you yourself must stay within the limits of the route.

Dirty Overtaking - overtake an opponent, hitting him at the same time.

Slip stream - hang on your opponent's tail.

Push- hitting the enemy car.

blocking- Don't let the car following you overtake you.

Head-on collision - collision of two cars on a collision course. Pretty rare in a race.

Slip- go through a turn with a skid without flying off the track.

Accuracy

Clean sector- passing a part of the route without going beyond its limits and collisions.

Top speed- set the maximum speed on the track.

Accurate trajectory- follow the direction of the ideal trajectory.

master turn- entry into the turn at maximum speed, precise passage of the ideal trajectory, exit from the turn without skidding.

Clean overtaking- overtaking an opponent without contact with him and without leaving the track.

This is interesting: in races with a mass start, first try to get the maximum points for aggression, and when you get into the lead, drive carefully.

Cars and tasks in the game

The game has four levels. Each level has its own class of cars. A lower class can be used at a higher level, vice versa - in no way. The choice of cars is very extensive. Prices at the first level range from $18,000 to $46,000. The price range of the second level is from $50,000 to $110,000. The third level is from $120,000 to $300,000. Well, on the fourth one, you will have to fork out in the amount of $420,000 to $1,200,000. Although the cars of the fourth class have one indisputable advantage - they do not need to be modified, they are already in the maximum configuration. But the improvements of the first three classes will have to spend a tidy sum.

Each of the machines can be modified to suit your needs. Install nitrous oxide, lighten the body, install a new body kit, new wheels, strengthen the suspension, brakes, and so on - this can be done with any car of the first three classes. "Evolving" a first-level machine is the longest task. There are three upgrade levels in total. A second-class car does not need the first stage of refinement, just as a third-class car does not need the first two stages.

Not all cars are suitable for nitrous and drift modifications. Is it possible to install them on the model you like - see the list of cars. All-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive cars are not suitable for drifting at all.

It is important: driving a car is the key to its handling in a turn. The rear-wheel drive is brought out of the skid by releasing gas, the front-wheel drive, on the contrary, by an increase. Four-wheel drive is better through corners - but at lower speeds. It is desirable to enter the turn in full and rear wheel drive at a constant speed, without braking or accelerating. It is very difficult to cope with the skidding of all-wheel drive.

Well, the most important improvement that can be put on a car is factory. If, when buying a car, you see a “W” icon next to it, it means that the car has a complete refinement kit from the factory. True, it is not cheap at all. For example, installing such a kit on a first-class car will cost $150,000, a second-class car will cost $250,000, and a third-class car will cost $350,000. And that's not all the expenses, because you can put such an add-on only on a fully "developed" car. The final cost of a first class car often exceeds the initial cost by more than ten times!

Take, for example, the Honda S2000, a $35,000 first-class car. After installing a full three-level kit and upgrading the cab and bodywork, the price rose to $371,000. Well, after the factory refinement - right up to $ 521,000! But, for example, a factory modification of a third-level car worth $300,000 ends up at $912,000.

It is important: you can sell the purchased car for exactly the same amount that you spent on it, all installed add-ons are also taken into account when selling. The only thing that can suffer is nitrous oxide during factory refinement. Apparently, the factory believes that such a serious work on the car is incompatible with the "street" improvements. Winning cars cannot be sold.

Level 1

Cars

Production: Europe

Weight: 1,810 kg

Drive: full

Price: $42,000

BMW 135i Coupe

Production: Europe

Weight: 1,533 kg

Drive: rear

Price: $35,000

Ford Escort RS Cosworth

Production: Europe

Weight: 1 360 kg

Drive: full

Price: $22,000

Honda Civic Si

Production: Japan

Weight: 1,309 kg

Drive: front

Price: $21,000

Available Upgrades: Nitrous Oxide

Infiniti G35 (V35)

Production: Japan

Weight: 1,550 kg

Drive: rear

Price: $44,000

Available Upgrades: Nitrous Oxide, Drift

Mazda RX-8

Production: Japan

Weight: 1,392 kg

Drive: rear

Price: $27,000

Nissan 240SX (S13)

Production: Japan

Weight: 1224 kg

Drive: rear

Price: $18,000

Available Upgrades: Nitrous Oxide, Drift

Nissan Skyline 2000GT-R (C10)

Production: Japan

Weight: 1 100 kg

Drive: rear

Price: $18,000

Available Upgrades: Nitrous Oxide, Factory Refinement

SCION tC

Production: America

Weight: 1 318 kg

Drive: front

Price: $20,000

Available Upgrades: Nitrous Oxide

Toyota Corolla GTS (AE86)

Production: Japan

Weight: 880 kg

Drive: rear

Price: $18,000

Available Upgrades: Nitrous Oxide, Factory Refinement, Drift

Volkswagen Sirocco

Production: Europe

Weight: 1 350 kg

Drive: front

Price: $27,000

Available Upgrades: Nitrous Oxide, Factory Refinement

There is probably no clear leader among these cars, there are only obvious outsiders. In terms of handling, I liked the Chevrolet Cobalt SS and Ford Escort RS Cosworth the most. Well, if you buy the first car, win a couple of races, earn money, then sell it and buy a Nissan 350Z, then you will definitely be out of competition. True, it is not subject to factory refinement, but it is great for drifting. However, I know people who have had a Toyota Corolla GTS as their favorite car for three levels in a row.

Competitions

Race Coalition (race)- competition on your personal car, several laps on the track. At the next levels, this type of competition is excluded from the general tasks, it occurs only in mixed competitions. The maximum number of stars is 25.

- several identical cars of the same brand compete with each other. The race takes place in duel mode and lasts up to two victories. The car is issued before the start. Limited to Tier 1 vehicles. The maximum number of stars is 20.

A duel is a pilot competition. To win, you must either break away from your opponent for more than five seconds (it is believed that in this case you will no longer be able to catch up), or come to the finish line first.

This is interesting: opponents are capable of mistakes! If you hang on the tail of the car in front for a long time, the pilot's nerves can not stand it, and he will make a mistake at the entrance to the turn, flying off the track!

Time Attack (time trial)- competition in your personal car, the number of laps on the track is limited to three minutes. After this time, the last lap starts. Whoever sets the fastest lap time of all time wins. Just like the "race" class, it is excluded from the general tasks in the following levels and can only be found in mixed competitions. The maximum number of stars is 24.

A simple race or time trial takes place on a single track. A race series (or time trial series) consists of several tracks within a single event. For winning on all tracks in the series, an additional amount is paid, usually equal to the amount for winning on one track.

As you reach new levels of the pilot, you will open races by invitation. These are not mandatory tasks, but - a good chance to earn good money at the lowest levels. Quite often already at the first level there are invitations to competitions on cars of the second and even third levels. The races themselves consist of different types of competitions, which have already been described above and will be listed below, however, a new type will be added that is not in the usual career - knockout races. The action takes place on small tracks, and with each lap, the last one to reach the finish line leaves the race.

Level 2

Starting from this level, you should have more than enough money to buy two or three cars with their subsequent serious refinement at the factory. You can replenish the garage with cars both for the soul with external refinement, and for sports.

Cars

BMW M3 E36

Production: Europe

Weight: 1460 kg

Drive: rear

Price: $50,000

Available Upgrades: Nitrous Oxide, Factory Refinement, Drift

BMW M3 E92

Production: Europe

Weight: 1,680 kg

Drive: rear

Price: $80,000

Available Upgrades: Nitrous Oxide

Chevrolet Camaro SS

Production: America

Weight: 1,705 kg

Drive: rear

Price: $85,000

Available Upgrades: Nitrous Oxide, Factory Refinement

Ford Shelby GT500

Production: America

Weight: 1,780 kg

Drive: rear

Price: $90,000

Available Upgrades: Nitrous Oxide, Factory Refinement, Drift

Mazda RX-7

Production: Japan

Weight: 1260 kg

Drive: rear

Price: $65,000

Available Upgrades: Nitrous Oxide, Factory Refinement, Drift

Mitsubishi Lance Evolution

Production: Japan

Weight: 1 520 kg

Drive: full

Price: $55,000

Available Upgrades: Nitrous Oxide, Factory Refinement

Nissan Silvia spec.R AERO (S15)

Production: Japan

Weight: 1240 kg

Drive: rear

Price: $55,000

Available Upgrades: Nitrous Oxide, Factory Refinement, Drift

Porsche Cayman S

Production: Europe

Weight: 1 340 kg

Drive: rear

Price: $110,000

Available Upgrades: Nitrous Oxide

The ambitions of the Porsche Cayman S are a little incomprehensible: the car is more expensive than any other in this class, but it doesn’t drive very well compared to the same Nissan Skyline GT-R ... Yes, and it will not be possible to refine this handsome man at the factory, while the Skyline is easy. For lovers of aesthetic pleasure, as well as American-made cars, I will advise you to buy a Ford Shelby GT500 and carry out its complete factory refinement. Made on the basis of the Ford Mustang, the “charged” version with a branded cobra on the door is one of the best cars in terms of weight to power ratio. 540 "horses" with an incomplete two tons of weight - an excellent indicator!

Yes, and such a car in a factory body kit will be very good to drive, quite enough for competitions with third-level cars.

Competitions

Mixed Event (mixed racing)- consists of a series of simple races and time trials in your personal Tier 1 or Tier 2 car. If you finish on the podium in each of the races, a prize competition with a strong opponent will open in a duel format. The maximum number of stars is 39.

Drift (drift) - one of the most spectacular types of competitions. You need to beat the opponent's points by sending the car into a slide. The car is issued before the start. The maximum number of stars is 24.

In truth, drifting is one of the hardest elements of the game. How many bones were washed to the developers on this occasion - do not count! And all due to the fact that on the track you constantly need to dose the gas "half the pedal." And how to do it on the keyboard?! In general, your humble servant honestly tried to complete the game without a steering wheel and pedals, but after a couple of three wasted hours, he went to buy a steering wheel. So what to do? You need to go through the game, although before that I was strenuously proving to everyone that the steering wheel is not at all necessary if you just want to enjoy the game and do not belong to professional racers.

Car Battle (car battle)- a duel of two cars of the second level. The car is issued before the start. The maximum number of stars is 18.

Mixed Series (competitions: mixed series)- take place in your own car and consist of races, time trials and drifting. If there is a prize-winning place in each of the competitions, an additional competition with the strongest driver opens, which takes place in a duel format. The maximum number of stars is 57.

USA Series (competitions: USA)- racing on your car, but only American production. Consist of simple races and races against the clock. Based on the results of prize places in all competitions, a prize race with an aggressive opponent in the duel format opens. The maximum number of stars is 39.

Japan Series (competitions: Japan)- racing on your car. Restriction - a car made in Japan. Consist of drift and time trials. When taking prizes in all competitions, you will have a duel with a strong opponent from this series. The maximum number of stars is 39.

Europe Series (competitions: Europe)- the same as the two previous series, limited to a European-built car, consisting of racing and drifting. Reward for prize-winning places - a duel with a strong opponent of this series. The maximum number of stars is 39.

Level 3

Cars

The third level is the level of luxury. The entire fleet of Arab sheikhs, James Bond's favorite brand and the pride of American muscle car automakers - everything is here. Unfortunately, only a few of them are subject to factory refinement.

Aston Martin V8 Vantage N400

Production: Europe

Weight: 1,630 kg

Drive: rear

Price: $130,000

Upgrades available: no

Chevrolet Corvette Z06

Production: Europe

Weight: 1420 kg

Drive: rear

Price: $210,000

Available Upgrades: Factory Refinement

Production: America

Weight: 1,570 kg

Drive: rear

Price: $220,000

Upgrades available: no

Lamborghini Murcielago LP640

Production: Europe

Weight: 1,650 kg

Drive: full

Price: $300,000

Available upgrades: factory upgrade.

Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG

Production: Europe

Weight: 1,867 kg

Drive: rear

Price: $140,000

Upgrades available: no

Nissan GT-R specV (R35)

Production: Japan

Weight: 1,675 kg

Drive: full

Price: $225,000

Upgrades available: no

Porsche 911 GT3 RS

Production: Europe

Weight: 1 325 kg

Drive: rear

Price: $160,000

Upgrades available: no

Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 with the possibility of factory refinement is, of course, strong! And this is the highest rated car in the stock class!

True, it was not without a fly in the ointment - all-wheel drive. This will most likely upset fans of monodrives, but they also have where to roam. Nissan GT-R, Dodge Viper, Chevrolet Corvette - and all can be upgraded at the factory. Personally, in terms of handling, I really liked the most charged Chevrolet Corvette Z06. But the Mercedes-Benz SL65 tuned by AMG - frankly disappointed with its lack of controllability in corners and sluggish acceleration dynamics, so when you get to the battle of cars with this car - remember these lines.

Competitions

Mixed Track (mixed tracks)- competition in your car. A long series of time trials and simple races. For places on the podium on all tracks - a duel with an opponent. The maximum number of stars is 76.

Car Battle (car battle)- the same as at the second level, but for machines of the third level. The maximum number of stars is 12.

Manufacturer Competition (competition of manufacturers) - the conditions are the same as at the first level. Of the differences - the restriction to cars of level 3. The maximum number of stars is 24.

USA vs. Europe (American cars vs European)- time trials, simple races, series of simple races and time trials. As in other confrontations between countries, there are quite long races, but victories in them bring good earnings. The maximum number of stars is 48.

Japan vs. USA (Japanese vs American cars)- time trial, drift, time trial series, drift series. The maximum number of stars is 47.

Europe vs. Japan (European vs. Japanese cars)- simple race, drift, simple race series, drift series. The maximum number of stars is 48.

Endurance (endurance racing)- the longest competition in the game. The total length is from 15 to 70 kilometers. There are only five tracks in the series, the prize for winning each of them is a duel with an opponent. The maximum number of stars is 33.

The Endurance series is rightfully considered the most tiring of the entire career. Three laps along the famous long Nordschleife - that's another gift. At the same time, opponents are very, very strong even at low difficulty levels. well and thirty laps on a five-hundred-meter track in the form of a Hazyview Eight figure-eight, and in a few minutes they turn into a mess of cars! Not only is it so crowded there, but also the track intersects in the center.

Level 4

Cars

At this level, you can buy yourself a real racing car, a "supercar". They are not subject to any modifications. True, the prices bite.

Cars of the third and fourth levels are a combination of luxury and speed. This is the very fine line, having crossed which the driver will have to abandon the expensive upholstery in dinosaur skin and metal melted down from the remains of the Terminator, and sit in the salon, from which all unnecessary has been removed for the sake of Her Majesty Speed. And if the third level is still a little before traits, then the fourth is a small step behind hell. There, where a herd of 1000 horses and Spartan conditions are not considered something out of the ordinary. Well, maybe a little phoenix skin on the dashboard. And the stitching of sports seats from silkworm threads brought from China several centuries ago. But no more!

Koenigsegg CCX

Production: Europe

Weight: 1 300 kg

Drive: rear

Price: $1,000,000

Upgrades available: no

2007 Lexus LF-A Concept

Production: Japan

Weight: 1 520 kg

Drive: rear

Price: $420,000

Upgrades available: no

Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition

Production: Europe

Weight: 1,768 kg

Drive: rear

Price: $500,000

Upgrades available: no

Pagani Zonda R

Production: Europe

Weight: 1210 kg

Drive: rear

Price: $1,100,000

Upgrades available: no

Currently, the Bugatti Veyron is the most powerful car on earth that is allowed to travel on public roads. True, the game indicates the power of 1000 hp, but I will allow myself to correct - still 1001 hp. The designers just set themselves the task of breaking the psychological mark of one thousand horsepower, and they succeeded. However, the engine had to be made appropriate - 16.4 liters! Those are two buckets, by the way. The second car is the Pagani Zonda R. It has a quarter less power than the Bugatti, but it weighs 678 kilograms less! In terms of mass to power ratio of 1.89 (Bugatti) to 1.61 (Pagani), the Zonda R wins.

Such a difference in numbers - a huge gap! Sometimes hundredths decide the matter, and here the gap is more than two tenths. Yes, and the Pagani Zonda R has a rear-wheel drive, while the Bugatti has a full one. This is also reflected in the game. Almost every race that these two cars compete in ends with either a Pagani or a Bugatti podium finish. Much more than the first. Imbalanced, so to speak.

Competitions

Manufacturer Competition (competition of manufacturers)- the conditions are the same as for the first and third levels. Of the differences - the restriction to cars of level 4. The maximum number of stars is 24.

Car Battle (car battle)- the same as at the third level, but for cars of the fourth level. The maximum number of stars is 12.

Works Competition (competition of cars that have undergone factory refinement)- your personal car, the level is unlimited. The competition consists of two races and three series of races. If you win on all tracks, you will have access to a duel with a strong opponent. The maximum number of stars is 81.

It is important: the remaining duels will take place with a really strong opponent who practically does not allow himself to make mistakes. In this case, there are two options - either try to knock out the opponent at one of the first turns and thus break away from him for five seconds, or try to go through the entire track as accurately as possible, catching up with the opponent closer to the end of the track.

Supercars Competition (fourth class car competition)- the rules are the same as for the competition of cars that have passed the factory refinement, as well as the duel - a reward for places on the podium. The maximum number of stars is 81.

Manufacturer Competition (competition of manufacturers) - this time you will not be given a car, in order to earn stars and points, you will have to provide the car to the start yourself. The class and level of refinement of the car is not important. The competition consists of five races. You will need cars of the brands Posche, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, BMW, Nissan. The maximum number of stars is 30.

Works vs. Supercars Championship- consists of two races and three series of races. Passes on your car. The maximum number of stars is 78.

Well, that's all, all series of races are left behind, the necessary experience has been gained, favorite cars have been determined, there is money, places in the garage are packed to capacity ... It's time to move to the big leagues - NFS World Tour.

NFS World Tour

There will be no new cars here, the main task at this stage is to get to the NFS World Championship. To do this, you need to go through two series of races USA and World. In fact, there is nothing new in these races, even the difficulty is not high, we managed to pass them all on the first try. I will not hide the fact that in the previous stages, some races had to be restarted more than a dozen times.

NFS Live: USA Series (American Series)- any of your car levels 1-4, a series of races on four tracks with five laps each. The maximum number of stars is 20.

NFS Live: World Series (World Series)- the rules are the same as in the American series. The only difference is that the series consists of five tracks, five laps on four tracks and one full lap on the Nordschleife. The maximum number of stars is 25.

NFS World Championship (NFS World Championship)- the last race in the storyline. A simple race of five laps. Quite an easy track, the opponents are not more difficult than in the previous levels, in general, there are no difficulties. It is not even clear why there was so much pathos. The maximum number of stars is 6.

After the final credits of the game went on, to be honest, it seemed to me that something was missing from me. Or have I overlooked something. Already somehow everything came out crumpled ... No, in no case is it bad, but it was the feeling of incompleteness that haunted me. It is clear that the strange construction of a career is partly to blame for this, but there was still something else.

A little later, I realized what it was. In an online game.

Having run over enough with virtual rivals, now you can easily move on to competitions with real rivals. What I, in fact, am going to do as soon as this text is completed. Well, maybe not quite right away, first I will earn the remaining stars. True, why do I need them now, I don’t know yet, apparently, for self-affirmation ...

A few words about the soundtrack ... Of course, on the track you need to listen to the sound of the engine so that you can navigate it to change gears. But where in the modern world without a quality soundtrack! I remember this has always been a hallmark of the games in the Need for Speed ​​series. This time, Electronic Arts included in the list of songs, among which there were even The Prodigy, the Russian band TOKIO with the song "Catch Up". Well, let's be happy for the guys. Quite a dynamic song, very in the spirit of the game. And in general, everything turned out as expected. Nothing superfluous, the ear does not hurt. And even if it cut, nothing prevents you from turning off the music and enjoying the rich sound of the engine and the squeal of tires. But personally for me, the best game in the series in terms of music so far remains NFS: Underground 2.

Although the taste and color of all felt-tip pens are different ...

But a large number of cars is not only a plus, but also a minus of the game. If earlier each of a relatively small set of cars was unique in its own way, now it is quite difficult to feel the difference between them. Undoubtedly, there are absolute leaders, as well as absolute outsiders - but now it often comes down to the fact that " I have a Pagani Zonda R and ten other cars in full body kit, which are just beautiful».

On the net, some have already managed to call the game a simulator - yet this is not so. Rather, "arcade racing with simulator elements." Yes, there are precise settings for the chassis and steering (although many will not even get into these settings), a system of body kits, engine and suspension improvements, and so on are also present. If desired, each player can customize the control so that it is very similar to a real car, and driving it on the track will not be easy at all. But the car, even when driving with the steering wheel (and not on the keyboard), behaves a little "arcade". So the game clearly did not deserve the title of "simulator".

On the other hand, do we need it? A little simplicity never hurt anyone. Would we like Shift if we had to get used to the controls within a week or two?