Previews

Hands-on with Need for Speed: Shift 2 on iOS

Pole position

Hands-on with Need for Speed: Shift 2 on iOS

Need for Speed deserves an honourable mention for the number of sub-franchises and spin-offs it's derived from a single vintage source.

Along with Carbon, Hot Pursuit, and so on, is the performance-focused Shift.

Long name aside, Need for Speed: Shift 2 is shaping up to be as addictive as the original iPhone/iPad title. It's also the first EA Mobile title to use Origin, its OpenFeint-style platform that makes it easier to find other EA players.

Take a spin

Like the first Shift, the new game has you driving laps against a handful of opponents. The emphasis is on realistic, calculated driving, and recklessness will hurt your score and possibly destroy your precious car.

Driving is simple and intuitive: tilt the device to steer and tap the screen to brake. There's also a green line on the track to show you the recommended route for the lap.

Need for Speed: Shift 2 has a variety of game types, from drifting - which gives you points for brake-fueled turns - to sprinting - which is a straight lap dash. Clearing levels not only unlocks new challenges but gives you experience points that make you a stronger driver.

The spice of life

The variety is pretty impressive: there are 70 tracks with 40 cars across six real world areas. The 70 tracks aren't just mirror tracks either (we asked 'em).

The six zones have a nice sense of depth - particularly the three new areas of Rio, Abu Dhabi, and Black Forest, Germany. The latter had fresh green grass, clear skies, and huge windmills rotating as we blew past.

On the multiplayer front, Origin makes it easier to find competitors via Facebook, Google Contacts, and other social networks. Like the rest of the game, the multiplayer emphasises the need for precision and focus.

You compete on a worldwide leaderboard, or, if you like, just with friends, for standard measurements like time and accuracy.

EA Mobile is promising to add a new challenge a few times every week. You'll get a push notification that, say, a new drifting challenge is available. You then have a few days to get the best score before the next challenge arrives.

More bang for your buck

It's unclear if the challenges or other DLC will require money, but Need for Speed: Shift 2 is happy to take your coin to help you get ahead faster. At the built-in MTX Store you can buy virtual currency and other items that will get you through the game without having to grind. EA Mobile expects them to run between 59p/99c and £5.99/$9.99.

You can take Need for Speed: Shift 2 for a spin on the iPhone and iPad in early August.

Damon Brown
Damon Brown
Damon Brown has been speaking the mobile game gospel since 2003 for Playboy, New York Post, and many other outlets. Damon writes books when he isn't busy gaming or Twittering. His most popular book is Porn & Pong: How Grand Theft Auto, Tomb Raider and Other Sexy Games Changed Our Culture.