pick this up from the PS + free-bee for April . have not have much time to really play it till this past weekend . I never try the first shift , so I can not compare it to that one . also I have only just start play this title this past weekend . this will only be my first impression of this game with more to come . I have to say that I do not know anything of this game before play it . I have play many of the nf series game since the original release back in the early to mid 90 's . I have be a racing fan since Pole position on the Atari -lrb- s -rrb- , Arcaders like out Run or Super off Road with Sims such as hard drivin ' . ha-ha ! seriously though , I have . so I have try many title in my year of gaming . Arcaders and Sims alike . I give they all a fair try before knock they . the nf series have let I down in the past on a few of they release . mostly I know nf as a arcade style , run from the cop , racer with detailed beautiful exotic . the undercover series , or as I refer to they as `` the fast n furious era '' , have some positive , but go in a unfamiliar direction . after those I avoid NFS : shift . I hear that it get decent review , but I have decide to move on from it . those positive point on shift persuade I into run out and snag a copy of the re-release of `` Hot pursuit '' in 2010 . I have be rock that for the past 2 year plus . last year when shift 2 unleash be release I do not even remember that it be a nf title . I have be eyeball the latest nf , `` the Run '' , since play the demo . so I like racer and nf racer I know ... except for these on the `` shift '' line ... till now . my first glance at shift 2 unleash have I excited . the graphic and audio be very well do . they produce a amazing look and feel opening sequence . I also notice that they use AutoLog like in NFS : Hot pursuit -lrb- 2010 -rrb- . I be a huge fan of that feature . if you do not know , find out . the menu be uniquely display and easy to navigate . the menu item regard game play display completion percentage . that be more than welcome . when you get into play it they start you out on a test play . this be sweet ! upon completion of the test you be provide with what NFS think would work for you as far as race setting go . I personally know that I just need a few lap to get the feel of the control down . so you can accept they as nf suggest or retry it . so I do a few attempt ... about 3 or so . afterwards my suggest setting be now accord to the way I last drive as oppose to the first attempt . that be the sweet spot ! ; - -rrb- they start you out with another race and give you cheddar to spend on a new whip . I be assume , depend on how you do on the first race , will determine the amount provide for use on you car . I be think that I do not do so well . I have enough for a Ford Mo-Focus and a upgrade or two . the upgrade on the vehicle be similar to other NFS game . mostly all of they be performance upgrade . there be not any pointless ground glow and window tint kit here . they also throw in upgrade package that be many optimal upgrade for you vehicle . I have only just begin to play this game , so my only vehicle be the Mo-Focus . I be hope that the kit vary from vehicle to vehicle . the upgrade also show a number system for the increase of what area of effect it 'll have on you vehicle . also you vehicle will gain performance value as you upgrade it . this must come in handy with the AI and also boast on-line ranking . example being ; if you have a top time on a track with a mo-focus and you performance value be 500 , and I hold second by a tenth of a second behind with my Mo-Focus , which be value at 300 , you probably do not have much bragging room , and if I take first place I will be gloat . race do take some get use to when you first start . adjustment have a effect too and might throw you off some , so be cautious when upgrade . there be the traditional drive view of 1st or 3rd person drive , but they also have my new favorite of Helmet cam . there be a head turn effect before turn that occur which I now want in all race game . again , this require some get use to , but holy cow , its fun . the right stick too be use as you head turn function . I use it to look up at the rearview to see all of the racer that I have dust . there be also distortion effect that occur upon impact and those impact affect you whip throughout the remainder of the race , so be cautious and learn you limitation while out there on the course . the game play be extremely rewarding . you do not just race for 1st here . you do not just go for the chedda , although the extra chedda help with upgrade . you do not just go for top on the leader board either . this one throw in some objective to complete on each race . they be useful objective that assist with refining you driving skill . I can not recall all of they , though there be these that I can ; lead a lap , race a clean lap , & master corner \/ racing line . each objective provide you with xp to increase you rank . not sure where the ranking will lead to other than reward at certain rank . anyways here , long review short - I be grateful that the April PS + free-bee include this title . if it do not I would be miss out on a great game ... this opinion after play for only a few hour too . so I guess it have great appeal from the jump off , which will make you want to play more of it . if you do not get it free like I , minus the annual membership fee , you should buy it . well worth the same cost of even the most current nf or gt release . thanks to this opportunity I can see a review for the first shift come soon as well . I 'll be update this as I progress thru the rank . get it if you have not .