Line #6 VideoGame/NeedForSpeedShift


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/nfsshiftandshift2.png]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:''[[Music/ThirtySecondsToMars La nuit du chasseur...]]'']]
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4	[[JustForFun/TheOneWith The ones]] that turned street racing legitimate - [[VideoGame/NeedForSpeedProStreet again]].
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6	''Need for Speed: Shift'' is a sub-series of Creator/ElectronicArts's ''VideoGame/NeedForSpeed'' franchise, consisting of ''Need for Speed: Shift'' (2009) and ''Shift 2: Unleashed'' (2011), mainly developed by Slightly Mad Studios.[[note]]EA Bright Light developed the [[Platform/PlayStationPortable PSP]] version of the first ''Shift'', while Straight Right developed the Platform/{{iOS}} version of ''Shift 2: Unleashed''.[[/note]]
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8	The first ''Shift'' is a second crack at realistic racing in the ''Need for Speed'' series following ''VideoGame/NeedForSpeedProStreet'', and is devoid of any storyline, although its PSP version includes a story mode recycled from the console versions of ''[=ProStreet=]'' and brought back some old characters from it along with new ones, basically making an AlternateUniverse, while the gameplay is more arcade-like compared to the console and PC versions. A Platform/Xbox360-exclusive [[DownloadableContent DLC]] pack is also noted for marking Ferrari's only appearance in any of the ''Need for Speed'' games following its first "classic" era until making a full return in ''[[VideoGame/NeedForSpeedRivals Rivals]]''.
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10	Following the commercial success of ''Shift'' (especially in comparison to its predecessor, ''[[VideoGame/NeedForSpeedUndercover Undercover]]''), EA green-lit a sequel, ''Shift 2: Unleashed'', which became noted for its unusual lack of the series' name in the title (although fans still call it ''Need for Speed: Shift 2 – Unleashed'', as it still used the logo the franchise used at the time) and its handling model being massively expanded from the first ''Shift''.
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12	On May 31, 2021, EA announced that download versions of either game would no longer be available for purchase in any online stores, although noting that the non-download boxed EA DVD versions of the game can still be purchased from some online stores until supply runs out.
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14	!!The ''Shift'' games feature examples of:
15	* AbsurdlyLowLevelCap: Since ''Shift's'' maximum level is 50, ''Shift 2'' dumbs down to level 20 as the maximum level cap.
16	* AnachronismStew: Since ''Shift 2: Unleashed'' announced the Legends Pack, it includes tracks from the '80s and earlier and it has no problem bringing a modern car to it. It can result in such weird sightings as bringing an SLS AMG to Hockenheimring 1982 or even bringing a Bugatti Veyron or a [=GT1=] car around the 1958 version of Monza. The same trope would apply to Slightly Mad Studios's future games such as ''[[VideoGame/TestDrive Test Drive: Ferrari Racing Legends]]'' & the ''VideoGame/ProjectCARS'' series.
17	* AntiFrustrationFeatures: The driving assists.
18	* ArtisticLicenseCars:
19	** In ''Shift 2'', the game featured the "Honda [=S2000 CR=]", but it clearly uses the [=AP1=] model.
20	** Both games claim that the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX that appears in them is an "MR-edition" despite the fact it has the looks and the performance of an Evo IX FQ-300.
21	** ''Shift 2'' features the Pagani Huayra, and such a big deal was made out of it, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOyMxfxUct8 the car's reveal trailer has no music aside from its exhaust note]]... except that's not what the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_764552&feature=iv&src_vid=f-VuGNktVh4&v=Dd2sDtA-Y0U actual Huayra]] sounds like.
22	* ArtisticLicenseSports: The FIA-[=GT1=] Championship takes an amount of artistic licenses that go way past the actual one in RealLife:
23	** The rounds are 1-hour endurance races each. However the game instead uses lapped races (approx. 3-4 laps each round).
24	** Monza, Dubai Autodrome, Suzuka Circuit, Laguna Seca and Mount Panorama were never used in the real life calendar.
25	** [[spoiler:The final race of the championship is set in Circuit Zolder instead of the Potrero de los Funes Circuit in Argentina.]]
26	* BoringButPractical: Take any stock Tier 1/D-Class car on any track and you can attain a 100% Best line and master all corners with ease. Mastered corners and attained 100% best line are marked permanently and there is no need to do these tasks again when you race on the same track.
27	* CarFu: Go ahead and race in the Hazyview's figure eight track. Good luck T-boning each other.
28	* CoolCar: While the franchise lives on this trope, the ''Shift'' games seem to be intent on trumping 'em all.
29	** The first ''Shift'' has the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maserati_MC12_Corsa Maserati MC12 Corsa]] and the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamborghini_Reventón Lamborghini Reventón]], along with the [=McLaren=] F1, Bugatti EB 16.4 Veyron, the Koenigsegg CCX, and the Ford Mustang Shelby [=GT500=]. Still no Ferraris, but the Maserati [=MC12=] Corsa uses the engine, chassis, and other internals of the Enzo Ferrari, so it'll be good enough... unless you have the Xbox 360 version of ''Shift'', then you have the option of downloading a content pack [[http://kotaku.com/5467211/need-for-speed-shift-welcomes-back-ferrari-next-week/gallery/ that brought back the Ferraris for the first time since]] ''Hot Pursuit 2''. Ferraris would fully return for all platforms in ''Rivals''.
30	** ''Shift 2: Unleashed'' has the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pagani_Huayra Pagani Huayra]], a 235 MPH Italian supercar. In fact, said game had the exclusive rights to the Huayra before it would become available to other games outside of the ''Need for Speed'' franchise. It's so awesome, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOyMxfxUct8 the car's reveal trailer needs no music aside from the exhaust note]]... although that's not what the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_764552&feature=iv&src_vid=f-VuGNktVh4&v=Dd2sDtA-Y0U actual Huayra]] sounds like.
31	* DarkerAndEdgier: In contrast of the LighterAndSofter approach of the first ''Shift'', ''Shift 2'' takes a dark and gritty step further than the former. When you start the game, you are greeted with an introduction of a very still but disturbing scene of a brutal car crash during a night race. And not to mention night races alone are also introduced in the game, a first for a simulator-style ''Need for Speed'' game (''[=ProStreet=]'' and the first ''Shift'' took place during the day), which also adds up to the danger factor.
32	* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: In the first Shift, the "Mixed Event" series ends with the battle with Chet Ismet, the first driver we have to race with the duel (excluding Car Battle series). When we will choose to take this race, [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/20240507_123018_7.jpg the loading screen will tell you some information about him]]. However, with other duels, there won't be such a thing.
33	* ExperienceBooster: In ''Shift'', filling the XP meter during the race (maneuvers such as driving in ther racing line, mastering corners, drifting, slipstreaming and overtakes) will trigger a x2 XP multiplyer for a limited time.
34	* GameBreakingBug The [=PS3=] version of ''VideoGame/NeedForSpeedShift Need For Speed: Shift 2 Unleashed'' has a bug that sometimes the game crashes in the loading screens.
35	** Also, this game has a bug that speeding in the night while driving the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR VIII Speedhunters Edition, the game will crash. This bug only occurs while doing the last race of Works League Championship in Mount Panorama and the Endurance Championship and Endurance Challenge of Champions in Nürburgring Nordschleife.
36	* HardModePerks: ''Shift 2: Unleashed'' rewards more cash for races depending on the difficulty and the numerous assists disabled.
37	* ImpairmentShot; ''Shift'' takes this trope and runs with it. Driving at a car's top speed blurs your vision, and a collision simulates the disorientation from the shock of impact.
38	* InNameOnly: The PSP version of ''Shift'' is odd in that it has nothing to do with the console versions. If anything, it has more in common with ''[[VideoGame/NeedForSpeedProStreet ProStreet]]'', as its career mode closely mimicks what ''[=ProStreet=]'' had, even featuring alternate versions of its Street Kings.[[note]]Although several Street Kings and other ''[=ProStreet=]'' and ''Most Wanted'' drivers do appear in the main version of ''Shift'', they appear only as random opponents there.[[/note]] It also adds elements of, of all things, ''[[VideoGame/{{Burnout}} Burnout Dominator]]'' (as it was developed by the same team, it runs on the same engine, and even recycles a few assets and mechanics).[[note]]Ironically, the PSP version of ''[=ProStreet=]'' was the inverse of this, having plain career mode which had no plot at all, as opposed to the console and NDS versions' story mode.[[/note]]
39	* InVehicleInvulnerability: Downplayed. The PlayerCharacter can actually groan or writhe in pain (in addition to rapid breathing) after a big collision if you're playing with the full damage model turned on.
40	* InterfaceScrew: Damaging your car will cause the screen to distort and to go black and white.
41	* KarlMarxHatesYourGuts: Averted and almost Inverted in ''Shift 2: Unleashed''; cars and upgrades could be purchased and sold at exactly the same price, meaning that there's no wasting money if a Works conversion or other upgrades didn't turn out as expected or you want to sell one car for a different one.
42	* LawyerFriendlyCameo: The Riviera track's Monte Grande layout blatantly resembles the Circuit de Monaco. Possibly the reason why the real deal isn't used is to avoid sparking tensions from UsefulNotes/FormulaOne.
43	* LighterAndSofter: Downplayed in that, in comparison to ''Undercover'', which is the closest a ''Need for Speed'' game plot has come to being a straight-up action movie, the first ''Shift'' doesn't feature a plot at all, being simply a racing simulator.
44	* MarathonLevel: Endurance races in ''Shift 2: Unleashed'' count as this, with each race averaging from 30 minutes to about an hour to complete.
45	* MissionPackSequel: ''Shift 2: Unleashed'' is basically almost every content from the first ''Shift'', just with added new cars, tracks and features.
46	* MoneyForNothing: While this is a common issue in ''Need for Speed'' games (ending up with a big bank account from winning races, yet having none of the higher level part tiers open up so you can buy new swag with your loot, so by the time you have the option of buying new parts, very often they won't dent your funds enough that you'll care), ''Shift 2: Unleashed'' is even more so, as cars and upgrades in it are sold at exactly the same price as they're bought, meaning you'll wind up with ever-increasing amounts of money.
47	* NoFairCheating: You cannot cut the track, because doing so will lead to having your lap time deleted and repeated infraction could lead to disqualification.
48	* NoPlotNoProblem: While the games from ''Underground'' onwards were famous for featuring a story mode, the ''Shift'' games don't care about those; you're just doing a driving sim.
49	* OldSaveBonus: Similar to ''Hot Pursuit'' (2010), ''Shift 2: Unleashed'' offers "loyalty bonuses" if you played a previous game in the series, usually in the form of additional experience points. Having played ''Hot Pursuit'' (2010) also unlocks two additional cars in ''Shift 2: Unleashed'': a Pagani Zonda Cinque Roadster in "''NFS'' Edition" colors, and a Lamborghini Reventon in a Seacrest County PD livery.
50	* ReformulatedGame: The PSP version of ''Shift'' is a generic ''[[VideoGame/{{Burnout}} Burnout Dominator]]''-style game.
51	* RiceBurner: Subverted with Chris Rado's Scion tC AWD, considering it's a time attack car and [[LightningBruiser ain't an easy opponent to race against]]. The Twins Turbo Motorsport Viper GTS also subverts this as well.
52	* SensoryAbuse: Sometimes unpausing the game, the volume will crank up to eleven for a short period of time.
53	* ShoutOut:
54	** In certain events in ''Shift'', the other drivers are called Isabel Diaz, Karol Monroe, Nate Denver, Gavin May or Hendrik Dehn amongst others, names you encountered in earlier ''NFS'' games: Isabel Diaz was one of the members of the Blacklist in ''Most Wanted'', Karol Monroe and Nate Denver were two of the Street Kings from ''[=ProStreet=]'', and Gavin May and Hendrik Dehn were among the names of the AI opponent drivers also in ''[=ProStreet=]''.
55	*** Speaking of other drivers, did we mention there is an [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/screenshot_2022_05_05_at_111414_am.png opponent]] named '''WesternAnimation/{{Jimmy Neutron\|BoyGenius}}'''?
56	** Some of the Works conversion body kits resemble as RealLife race cars:
57	*** The Audi [=S4=]'s and the BMW [=M3=] [=E92=]'s Works conversions resemble as its DTM counterparts. For the latter's case, the [=M3=] DTM wasn't used until a year later after the game's release.
58	*** The Supra, Acura NSX, [=350Z=], [=R34=] Skyline and the GT-R ([=R35=])[[note]]The vanilla GT-R and not the [=SpecV=] variant[[/note]] are all based on its Super GT counterpart.
59	*** The Dodge Charger R/T takes cues of the Dodge Charger Daytona.
60	*** The [=E46=] [=M3=] bares a striking resemblance to the highly-known [=M3=] GTR, where as the [=C6=] Corvette [=Z06=] strongly resembles the C6.R. Not to mention the Ford GT's Works conversion resembles its [=GT3=] counterpart.
61	*** Finally, the Volkswagen Scirocco's Works conversion takes nods to its Nürburgring [=GT24=] variant.
62	* SpinOff: The ''Shift'' games noticeably appear to draw a divide between themselves and the rest of the ''Need for Speed'' franchise, with the second game dropping the name and being called simply ''Shift 2: Unleashed'', albeit still using the stylized "n" logo the franchise used at the time.
63	* ATasteOfPower: In both games, you get to drive a powerful car during the game's tutorial before you're off to buy your starter car. ''Shift'' puts you in the BMW [=M3=] ([=E92=]) around Brands Hatch, while ''Shift 2'' puts you in the Nissan GT-R NFS Edition around the Suzuka Circuit.
64	* TyopOnTheCover: In the PSP version of ''Shift'', one of the Race Kings is called "Wade Johnson" in his intro and in his bio ("Johnson doesn't party..."), but the name on the board of his bio page calls him "Wade Johns'''t'''on."
65	* VersionExclusiveContent: The Xbox 360 release of ''Shift'' adds the [[DownloadableContent Ferrari Racing Pack]] featuring 10 Ferrari cars such as the FXX, 3 variants of the [=F430=] and the [=F50=] GT. It also counts as TheBusCameBack due to Ferrari itself returning since ''[[VideoGame/NeedForSpeedHotPursuit Hot Pursuit 2]]'' to this console-exclusive game.
66	* VideoGameCrueltyPotential: Remember in ''[=ProStreet=]'' where you can wreck down an opponent intentionally and not get a penalty? It also applies here, since the game sometimes enforces you to drive dirty to spin out or force drivers off the road to get XP (Aggressive).
67	* VillainProtagonist: Averted here, as these games are focused on sanctioned track-racing, as opposed to the illegal street-racing usually featured in other installments.
68	* WorldTour: Both ''Shift'' games have a sanctioned take on this trope (similar to the previous sanctioned racing-themed game, ''[=ProStreet=]''), with races held on fixed FIA-certified race tracks and drag strips as well as street tracks in different countries around the world.

Context VideoGame / NeedForSpeedShift