Need For Speed: Shift Demo Impressions

NFS: Shift Screen

The Need for Speed franchise has slowly gone down the shitter over the course of the last few video games in the series.  Need for Speed: Undercover ended up getting an average Metacritic Rating sitting around the 60 mark between the PS3 and 360 versions, and NFS: Carbon got a better rating around 76 rating on the Xbox 360.  Overall, not great, but not bad.  Passable if we were going by school grades, but nothing spectacular to take home to mom.  The new Need For Speed, entitled “SHIFT” looks to revamp the franchise, crank up the intensity, and pull the Need for Speed franchise kicking and screaming out of the late Fast and the Furious era, and hopefully give you a break from running from those pesky cops.

Does the new Need for Speed game do it’s 84 Metacritic Rating justice? Do you care? Does the title need to have that “f” taken out of the “Shift”? Find out after the jump when I give my impressions of the Need For Speed: Shi(f)t demo.

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NFS World Online Testing Begins in March

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EA has announced that EA Asia will begin testing of their new online free-to-play game, Need for Speed World Online.  The game is set to begin its first phase of technical testing in March.

“Need for Speed is one of the world’s best-selling franchises, and is especially popular among gamers in Taiwan and Hong Kong. We’re thrilled to bring this EA-owned property to Asia and to begin our self publishing model in Taiwan and Hong Kong. We look forward to the results of this testing phase for continued improvement in providing the best service to online gamers across Asia,” said Jon Niermann, President of EA Asia.

The game will offer all types of tracks and game modes along with online leaderboards as well as the ability for players to collect and customize cars and characters. Need for Speed World Online will only be available for the PC  in Asian markets to begin with but it will eventually make a worldwide release.

In an attempt to relaunch the Need for Speed franchise, EA has three new games planned for release this year.  Need for Speed World Online, Need for Speed Shift and Need for Speed NitroNeed for Speed Shift is a simulation racer while Nitro is an arcade version.  Fans of the series should be able to enjoy at least one of the three new offerings this year.

EA Announces ‘Live Race Weekend’ For Need For Speed ProStreet

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This news just came across the wire from our friends from EA. There will be a live race weekend coming up on Xbox Live. This sounds like an awesome, awesome idea. Only problem is… does anyone know for sure when Live is going to be back up. No one is going to want to risk being in a race and have their connection drop.  Click more for the official word.

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EA Goes Full-Throttle With Need for Speed ProStreet Soundtrack

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Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced today the complete soundtrack for Need for Speed™ ProStreet, which is set for North American release November 14, 2007 on the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Wii™ as well as the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo DS™, PC and mobile. The soundtrack features over 35 songs from artists representing a volatile range of styles, along with an original score by internationally renowned DJ/Producer/Musician Junkie XL that captures the skill, risk and velocity of pro street racing culture.

“The Need for Speed franchise has set the worldwide standard for not only racing games, but their soundtracks as well,” said Steve Schnur, Worldwide Executive of Music and Music Marketing at EA. “Now for the first time, Need for Speed ProStreet takes street racing from the underground to pro level with a music mix to match. We’ve brought together an unprecedented collection of artists that represents an international convergence of emerging Rock, aggressive Electro, UK Grime and much more, including a truly dangerous original score by our Artwerk artist Junkie XL. In a still-outlaw culture that demands complete authenticity, we have blended the ultimate audio racing fuel.”
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Need for Speed: Pro Street Trailer

As is we haven’t had enough street racing games, EA decided that we need another Need for Speed to please our Vin Diesel style racing fetishes.

The game does look beautiful, but I think I’m gonna stick with games like Forza 2, PGR4, Gran Turismo 5, etc.

Here’s your HD lovin.