Shift 2, final verdict...

[Coldon66]

I will not put the disc for Shift 2 back in my PS3. I wanted to like this game, since no racing titles appear imminent, however this game is easily one of the worst pieces of software in this genre.

First of all, from the great pre-release comments made by Marc Neillson (I think), to the footage appearing, pre-release, on forums and you-tube, this title looked red hot. However it ends there!

The game with a wheel is a joke. Any settings that you get comfortable with are totally messed up if you make any small tweak with stability/traction/assists etc. What I mean here is that say for example you have achieved the best settings for the wheel that you can. You then decide to make a small alteration to maybe stability or traction, for a particular car, and then all the driveability goes to pot and you have to start again with settings etc.

I gave the game a good full weekend and please don't waste your money on this garbage. These people who promote the game pre-release must be on a different planet, people like Andy Tudor. The game is a pile of crap. Furthermore, the money invested into producing the game, is the only reason these company executives/producers/programmers big the game up. They have got to since they are responsible for making the game and will not admit that the game is flawed and useless.

Finally, as for the graphics, they are some of the worse rendering I have ever seen in a big title. It is wholly beyond me the level of graphics in this game. Utterly a disgrace in this day and age. Shift 1, on the platform I was on in 2009 looks better than Shift 2, and I mean that sincerely.

Maybe I and others are too used to GT5, however, in my case that is not the crux of the issue. I'm no GT5 fanboy, however I do love the game PD produced. I am badly disappointed by Shift 2 Unleashed and angry that I shelled out cash on a pile of rubbish!!!

 

[tinram]

I think the game simply has an enjoyment time limit, 30 minutes per session and your up. I'm still keeping it for when my friends drop by, also i'm into collecting cars (i thought it was a GT5 thing), now i'm stuck trying to collect cars in shift2, and it's not as fun as you think since i have to endure it's physics.

 

[JediRage]

At the very least, I disagree about the graphics. I was horrified when I saw the photomode pics and some random replays prior to purchase but I'm pleasantly surprised by in game graphics. Cars are very near to GT5 premium quality. Enivronments don't stand out like a sore thumb and helmet cam focuses your attention properly.

 

[Luminis]

With people always complaining about the PS3's graphics, I'm actually pretty glad that I bought it for my Xbox360

 

[Mulan]

I just enjoy the game more and more. Upgrading the car really makes big differance to the handling. And how you brake and when accelerate is so much important in this game. The best part is the jumps/speed/sound/ai/tires/suspension...it all feels so much better.
But i do understand that it can be difficult at start when the game is more sensitive to faults. And i feel the turning is correct, stiffening your springs the car is responsive and soft suspension gives more countersteer when car gets straight. Dont know but the more i play the more i realise its more accurate in the feeling of driving a fast car. And they even write so them selves in the game...A slower car is more easy for doing same laptimes, a faster car is difficult. And just because a car is fast doenst mean its made for driving superfast with it in corners. I bet that in real life many cars are lousy driving fast or there would not be differance between cars right? Even standard cars for families can be lousy just driving from home to work. So i feel its correct that not all cars can handle well when pushed to limits.

 

[xSTIG_JUNIORx]

This is my final verdict :

I like S2U how it is, I'm having fun, so much fun...I've figured out that I never smiled before in any other racing game I played offline, smiled cause AI is challenging me to the limits, S2U AI gives me adrenaline and much fun.
I'm loving this game !

 

[bmwisme]

> And just because a car is fast doenst mean its made for driving superfast with it in corners. I bet that in real life many cars are lousy driving fast or there would not be differance between cars right? Even standard cars for families can be lousy just driving from home to work. So i feel its correct that not all cars can handle well when pushed to limits.

I agree... I remember the time I had my steet Corvette (REAL car) on the Road America track at one of the club events - that first corner was a scary moment and understeer (on an oversteer happy car) just about put me in the runnoff. These games don't completely translate the sense of speed and it makes you think the car should be able to corner better. The "arcade" games don't care about real-world physics and let you do amazing things not possible in a real car.
I would like less twitching control with the DS3 but it's not too bad. Have similar problems with Forza, GT5, and others but some more forgiving than others.
Also, ever wonder why they don't put a gamepad type conroller in a REAL racecar instead of a wheel...you know the answer.

 

[FLIGHT50]

The problem here and most other negative threads about S2U is that people are looking for GT physics or what not. Get over this and the game is pretty decent. For me its pretty good. Between the cars, tracks and options I will give this game better ratings than GT5. Sure its has it pros and cons but its cons are far fewer than GT5.

There is already DLC coming. Does GT have this. GT has had several patches to date to fix things that should have have been there from the start. Let SMS do some patchwork and we will see how much improving they can do. Now that more people are getting their hands on this and the fact that they listen and view forums, they more than likely will change some things.

 

[UkHardcore23]

Best racer since Forza 3

 

[Nuck81]

The problem here and most other negative threads about S2U is that people are looking for GT physics or what not.

Bingo!!!

All the while ignoring the tons of things it does better than GT5.

If a game was simply about "driving" then why not make GT6 about picking the kids up at school, taking them to soccer practice, driving to work, and going to Grandma's on the Holidays. You only need the "driving" to have fun...

 

[xSTIG_JUNIORx]

No grinding

 

[spapadillion]

We're not looking for "GT physics" in Shift 2, per se. What we are looking for is the realism that SMS claimed it would have and finding a glorified arcade game w/ tons of simulation elements tacked on. That GT5 is the rule by which we draw comparisons can't be helped, given that it has (arguably) the most accurate driving physics yet to grace console gaming.

And as for S2U's upcoming DLC being a positive and GT5's lack thereof being a negative is a very odd view indeed. I prefer to have all my tracks and cars included in the initial release, as GT5 has done, and as opposed to holding back content for sale at a later date as is likely the case w/ Shift 2.

 

[jamesscotland73]

I have the PC and XBOX version.

The pc version with the fantec GT2 was undriveable out of the box but I eventually managed to get some decent settings which made it highly enjoyable.

Out of interest i bought the xbox 360 version today,,,,,and wow.........the 360version is take it to another level, ultra realistic handling that puts GT5 to shame, to be honest in makes gt5 look like something from 1997.

This is the new benchmark in my opinion.

Its unfortunate that the PC and Ps3 users seem to be having so much difficulties, inexcuseable really, these games should work out of the box with the most popular wheels, at least include a leaflet with reccomended settings.

My settings for xbox with Fanatec GT 2 (pc settings in brackets)

ON WHEEL:

SEN 900
FFB 100
SHO 030
DRI 003
ABS 085
LIN 00
DEA 010
SPR -3 (for pc set this to 0)
DPR -3 (for pc set this to 0)


IN GAME

Vibration Strength 100%
Steering deadzone 0%
Steering Sensitivity 50%
Throttle Deadzone 0%
Throttle Sensitivity 20%
Brake Deadzone 0%
Brake Sensitivity 35%
Clutch Deadzone 0%
Clutch Sensitivity 50%
Speed Sensitivity 50 %
Speed Sensitivity Drift 60%
Steering lock 270 (for pc set this to 40%)
Steering Lock Drift 270 (for pc set this to 40%)


These settings were 99% copied from a guy on here but i cant find the thread now , so a big thanks to him....edit found it here it is: https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?t=197583

EDIT: There does seem to be some issues with the FFB strength in both the pc and xbox versions, it seems to vary in strength quite significantly for no apparent reason.

 

[Coldon66]

We're not looking for "GT physics" in Shift 2, per se. What we are looking for is the realism that SMS claimed it would have and finding a glorified arcade game w/ tons of simulation elements tacked on. That GT5 is the rule by which we draw comparisons can't be helped, given that it has (arguably) the most accurate driving physics yet to grace console gaming.

And as for S2U's upcoming DLC being a positive and GT5's lack thereof being a negative is a very odd view indeed. I prefer to have all my tracks and cars included in the initial release, as GT5 has done, and as opposed to holding back content for sale at a later date as is likely the case w/ Shift 2.

Well said. The initial post I made is not about physics, whether Shift 2 is sim or arcade. The basic fact is that it is graphically dire and a major pain in the arse. Enjoy it... are you joking. Having to mess about with settings constantly to just get a slightly driveable physics model is a waste of people's time. I think the game is a joke. As I said I don't want to appear to be a GT5 fanboy but GT5 is on a different level. I have played it for 5 months solid, and yes I do understand that towards the end it may start to bore some people. Also GT5 does lack vast content like the Shift games. However, the game is an experience which can hold you for months. Shift 2 will never do that, except with perhaps younger kids and the like.

My major gripe is with developers talking crap about a game and stating for the record that it will be better than GT5 and the Forza francise. Simply put the game is a waste of the 43 quid I paid for it. At least if you buy a VIDEO GAME like Motorstorm Apocalypse you know what you are getting - an arcade game for gamepad users, pure and simple. Shift 2 doesn't know what it is and pretends it gives good wheel support. No way does it do this...

 

[boomee]

With people always complaining about the PS3's graphics, I'm actually pretty glad that I bought it for my Xbox360

They look the same on both systems i have both ( my brother has a 360 i have a ps3)

 

[brambos]

While GT5 is a pretty good physics model and a bunch of car models on a Blu-ray disc, Shift succeeds at being a pretty good *game* ... You know... Something people do for fun, and which doesn't feel like a serious dayjob. That's where GT5 fails miserably.

 

[Nuck81]

We're not looking for "GT physics" in Shift 2, per se. What we are looking for is the realism that SMS claimed it would have and finding a glorified arcade game w/ tons of simulation elements tacked on. That GT5 is the rule by which we draw comparisons can't be helped, given that it has (arguably) the most accurate driving physics yet to grace console gaming.

And as for S2U's upcoming DLC being a positive and GT5's lack thereof being a negative is a very odd view indeed. I prefer to have all my tracks and cars included in the initial release, as GT5 has done, and as opposed to holding back content for sale at a later date as is likely the case w/ Shift 2.

What is arcade about it?

You said you weren't looking for the physics in GT5, but then said it doesn't live up to the Physics in GT5.

Other than the driving GT5 is much more arcade than Shift 2. Poorer AI, no damage, no penalties for cutting corners, no mechanical failure, and no adaptive competition.

The most arcade thing about the racing in Shift 2 is the damaged cars, and tires remain on the track. Oh but I just remembered, all the garbage remains on track in GT5 too...

Don't disagree about DLC, DLC sucks for the most part...

 

[Nuck81]

dp....please delete

 

[avloc]

We're not looking for "GT physics" in Shift 2, per se. What we are looking for is the realism that SMS claimed it would have and finding a glorified arcade game w/ tons of simulation elements tacked on. That GT5 is the rule by which we draw comparisons can't be helped, given that it has (arguably) the most accurate driving physics yet to grace console gaming........

spapadillion. I'm not having a go at you. It just took me into a rant...

What we are looking for is driving physics we can use. The current physics in Shift 2 are abysmal.

For instance:

(1a) New user install GT5 and a wheel, starts the game and drives, has a good time.
(1b) New user installs Shift 2 and a wheel, starts the game and drives into walls, can't brake at the right time...etcetera.

This is one of 2 major flaws with the game.

The second one being the floatiness. i.e. you never feel the road.

I'm with the OP on this. I like GT5, and can drive like a demon round Nordschleife and I know when I come into a corner too fast I can slam on and then feather the brakes to get round it cleanly.

Shift 2: I cannot do that at all. I've tried! Oh God how i've tried. I just don't get the feedback in the steering.

I know loads of you will say thing like 'Get used to it' and 'Shift 2 has more realistic settings' or ' it's arcadey' whatever blah blah blah. But at the end of the day, I want a game I can pick up and play without any pissing about, and for me, that game is GT5. The graphics are clear, the physics are intuitive, the force feedback is useful and that's it.

I'm sorry I ever rubbished PD. They did a magnificent job. SMS did a Bodgit & Scarper.

End of rant... I need a beer.

*edit. A game that you can pick up & play and enjoy is a winning game. Shift 2 is not that game.

 

[Nuck81]

I know loads of you will say thing like 'Get used to it' and 'Shift 2 has more realistic settings' or ' it's arcadey' whatever blah blah blah. But at the end of the day, I want a game I can pick up and play without any pissing about, and for me, that game is GT5. The graphics are clear, the physics are intuitive, the force feedback is useful and that's it.

Probably the most fair thing I've seen written about the game so far

Except I don't agree with this "(1b) New user installs Shift 2 and a wheel, starts the game and drives into walls, can't brake at the right time...etcetera." because it certainly wasn't the case for me.

Edit for your edit:

*edit. A game that you can pick up & play and enjoy is a winning game.

I think you'll find a lot of people disagree with this.

 

[bmwisme]

As for the Xbox version being better than the PS3 version, my son has the 360 version and too me they both drive and look the same - and seem to have the same rough edges. Have not seen the PC version so can't comment on that.

 

[fatkrakr]

Well my final verdict is that if i want to DRIVE a car around a track i put gt5 in. If i want to RACE around a track i put su2 in. Im not sure why but thats just my opinion on the games. They just feel different. I have fun with both but only online with gt5.

 

[tribolik]

Im glad I read this thread on the final verdict... with all the pros and cons... its seems that it has more pros than cons and that some people are actually enjoying it alot...
Im buying this, imput lag or no imput lag....
Thanks to the OP I've just made my mind up...

 

[alex997tt]

On my Playstation I pretty much completed NFS Shift first edition. I am 40-40 on GT5. And I am up to level 16/20 on the new NFS Shift 2.

Thus far I would rank the games: GT5 > NFS Shift 1 > NFS Shift 2

I really really want to like Shift 2 but the steering wheel lag, floppiness on corners, and cars high speed floating are so ridiculous that the game is barely playable for the faster cars in it.

Also, how is it I can easily win GT5 formula GT, F1 seasonals, Vettel challenges, and own several 500+ hp supercars in real life, but driving a 700hp car in Shift 2 even with tweaked suspension is just alien to me. This game seems to need a reality check...

 

[jamiebird]

I love GT5 but I don't buy the "real driving simulator" stuff - S2U "feels" more real on both pad and wheel because it demands you pay attention and adapt moment by moment. GT5 is too slick and stops being fun.

Buy the caterham in S2U, drive without assists or hud in helmet cam - this is fun!

 

[alex997tt]

And yes, NFS does make you appreciate GT5 more

 

[alex997tt]

Oh and one thing that really annoys me is that NFS doesn't even know a Porsche basic principal - whatever the 0-60mph time is of any Porsche, the braking time must be at least half of that 60-0mph.

So those stats for stock GT2, Cayman S, GT3RS are all completely fabricated!

 

[jamesscotland73]

My final verdict is that if they patch the PS3 and PC versions to give as much realism ans enjoyability factor that I am having with a Fanatec gt2 on xbox then none of you will be dissapointed.

If the patch it and get it right then your really have something to look forward to.

I will post a video of me driving later, i will shoot it so you can see my hands on the wheel as well as the screen, there is no floating (i did experience this in the pc version and it was horrendous so i know what your talking about and i sympathise), the input is precise, and the physics are amazing.

At the end of the day they should have included reccomemded settings for the five or six top selling wheels in the booklet.

 

[Ben78]

I won an endurance race in S2, 45 minutes and I've liked every second of it. In GT5, after 10 minutes, I have trouble keeping my eyes open, it's BORING.

Shift 2 is fun and you get rewarded for almost everything you do, clean overtake, mastering corners, sliding, following the racing line.

In GT5... you have real physics... yawns.

 

[UkHardcore23]

Well my final verdict is that if i want to DRIVE a car around a track i put gt5 in. If i want to RACE around a track i put su2 in. Im not sure why but thats just my opinion on the games. They just feel different. I have fun with both but only online with gt5.

This, i love going round the ring myself in GT5 but hate the racing (what racing?) Shift 2 is just so much fun and the racing is immense!