I’ve been a big fan of Need for Speed (NFS) for quite some time. No matter what type of gamer you are, you just can’t resist a fast and beautiful car.

However, I was a little apprehensive when it came to this new installment of NFS. Past titles haven’t done much to broaden the racing experience but NFS has always been a racing game for those who aren’t hardcore racers.

I have to admit I was excited to play NFS’s new title and even if the game wasn’t great I would still get the chance to play with some of today’s hottest cars. Honestly, I was slightly nervous it had been a while since I played a racing game and I knew I had a level or two of rust to knock off.

However, in true NFS fashion, NFS: Shift was awaiting my return on the first task of the game as it so eloquently guided me right back into the groove.

The first task of the game has you take a test run around the track and get a feel for the new handling techniques. Depending on how good (or bad) you do on that test drive, it will determine your driving difficulty level for the remainder of the game.

The difficulty levels range from hardcore driving experts to racers who have little to beginner experience. But that’s the beauty of the NFS franchise. It has managed to merge the two experiences very smoothly. The main career mode consists of different events in which you earn points, cash, and driving ratings which determine your tier position.

However you view the ease of earning or completing the events, the game moves quickly and keep you enthralled on earning more points to further customize and trick out your ride. Hardcore racers may find the level of difficulty slightly boring but overall the ease is what opens the game up to wider audiences.

Depending on what driving technique you like best NFS has something for everybody. Whether you prefer precision driving or crash prone racing, there is a gamer experience for booth. True to previous NFS’s there is still nitro boost and other crazy acceleration tricks that push cars way past realist driving abilities.

NFS stepped up its collision meter and makes it a lot harder to finish quickly if you constantly collide with any and everything in sight is your preferred method of play. Aggressiveness on the track is definitely rewarding in NFS: Shift, however dunk driving is not rewarded as it was in previous NFS’s titles. In addition, some challenges are (no matter what is said) just plain HARD, such as the drifting challenge and offer some difficulty to gamers who want a little bit more.

Another strong feature of this new installment without doubt is it visuals. From cockpit views to the amazing background skylines keep your eyes dead locked on screen.

The soundtrack which can’t be overlooked either, keeps your head bobbing unknowingly all the way to the finish line. Where other NFS required an iPod soundtrack to guide you along the way, Shift provides some of today’s best to add extra spice to an already great game.

Overall, NFS: Shift is just what the franchise needed. It’s hard to call it the best title in the franchise, but it is difficult not acknowledge how close it is. With the new techniques, visuals, and awesome array of cars, NFS has provided a racing game that even hardcore track purist will love and play.

I don’t want to give away too much and ruin or over hype the game for future consumers. But in todays market when consumers must make the decision between buying gas for their own car or a game that simulates driving, NFS holds it weight. So if the thought crosses your mind whether to play or pump it’s worth catching the bus for the week for the NFS: Shift!

-Shawn J

I have to admit I was excited to play The King of Fighters (KOF XII). 

Anybody who loves games has to be excited about an “old school game with new flavor” made for the next gen platform.   Fantasies of a fighting game that could out-do rivals such as Street Fighter, DOA, and previous KOFs  flooded my mind, and enticed me to rush home to begin a night of serious button crunching. 

However, after a few button taps I realized this KOA wasn’t what I pictured as my fantasies fell short.

KOF isn’t all bad and definitely has a lot of positive attributes.  The game just didn’t meet the high expectations its predecessors have created. 

KOF doesn’t stray from its traditional 2D platform, but that only created an old school feel most gamers still enjoy.  The graphics are phenomenal which leaves players fixed on the background rather than watching the fighters.  

Some may like the old look of the retro versions of KOF, but you can’t deny the crisp look that creates a better visual for new KOF players. 

The initial reactions gamers will have to KOF is, “Could they have done more with the new generation game consoles?”. 

The game play itself is very restrictive and requires some practice before mastering fighting skills and kicks and blows come off as slightly slow.  In addition, the amount of fighters compared to previous KOFs’ seems to be a lot less leaving less options and styles to choose from. 

The selection of characters also doesn’t offer any standout characters that even novice players can use for a handicapped win.  The game also lacks a story line that can connect the game and create a great single player experience.  The game modes offered don’t do much to enhance the KOF franchise and truly left me wanting more.

The game’s online features definitely add value to the game itself and provide a satisfying attribute.  It seems that the high expectations I had for KOF weren’t fulfilled.  Previous KOF’s seem to work as a rival to KOF XII due to no new gaming experiences that fail to separate it from the originals. 

The abilities of next generations consoles wasn’t taken advantage of in ways it could have been.  I was excited to play an “old school game with new school flavor”.  However, I realized I was looking for a “new school game with old school flavor”. 

I’m positive future KOF games will have lots more to offer and include more use of Xbox and PlayStation technologies, but in today’s economy you have to be very selective about purchases.  And while KOF XII is a good value many gamers my want to wait until prices come down slightly before purchasing.