Need for Speed: Shift 2 Unleashed

Need for Speed: Shift 2 Unleashed from 2011 by Slightly Mad Studios returned to the more simulation-focused approach to racing established by the first Shift installment. It offered an extensive career spanning various car series, from circuit cars to drift specials and night races, an emphasis on a realistic feel of driving, and a new helmet-view camera that reacted to the car's lean, braking and impacts. Social comparison of results between players was again handled by the Autolog system. Unlike most other installments in the series, Shift 2 was not released on any older generation of consoles or handhelds - it relied purely on the then-current generation of PCs and home consoles, which matched its focus on faithful simulation controls rather than a mass-market arcade experience. The career was divided into several tiers by car type and series, the player gradually unlocked more powerful machines and could adjust detailed chassis and aerodynamics setup between races according to the specific track.

The PC version was released simultaneously with the console releases and offered identical content - the same tracks, car roster and career structure. It additionally supported a wide range of force-feedback racing wheels and allowed setting a higher resolution and graphics detail, which mattered more for a simulation-oriented racing game with an emphasis on the cockpit view than for the more arcade-like installments of the series. The Autolog system worked the same way on PC as on consoles and linked players' results through their online profile. The game also supported triple-monitor setups for a wider field of view, a popular solution for simulation racing titles on PC at the time.

In terms of content, the PC version was identical to the console releases - no exclusive car or track, just wider control and graphics setup options depending on the computer's performance and connected peripherals, such as pedals or a sequential shifter. The career and the list of unlockable cars were the same on PC as on both consoles.

Why play it: For the same career and car roster as on consoles, but with wider setup options for players connecting a wheel, pedals or a sequential shifter - details that don't stand out as much on a gamepad.