Shift 2: Unleashed

Shift 2: Unleashed
European cover art featuring a Nissan GT-R and a Maserati GranTurismo S.
Developer(s)	Slightly Mad Studios Straight Right (iOS)
Publisher(s)	Electronic Arts
Producer(s)	Marcus Nilsson
Composer(s)	Heavy Melody Music Ramin Djawadi Troels Folmann Stephen Baysted Mick Gordon Mike Reagan
Series	Need for Speed
Platform(s)	Microsoft Windows PlayStation 3 Xbox 360 iOS
Release	Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3 & Xbox 360 NA: March 29, 2011 EU: March 31, 2011 AU: March 31, 2011 UK: April 1, 2011 iOS WW: August 4, 2011
Genre(s)	Racing
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer

Shift 2: Unleashed (also known as Need for Speed: Shift 2 – Unleashed) is a racing video game, and part of the Need for Speed series. It is the seventeenth installment in the long-running Need for Speed series. It was developed by Slightly Mad Studios and published by Electronic Arts. The game serves as a direct sequel to Need for Speed: Shift and expands on many aspects that were introduced in the original.Shift 2: Unleashed was released worldwide during March and April 2011, although it was not released in Japan. Shift 2: Unleashed for the PlayStation 3 has been made available as a free download during the month of April 2012 (starting April 3) to PlayStation Plus subscribers.

Shift 2: Unleashed features over 145 cars from more than 37 manufacturers and over 36 different tracks, which players can compete in several types of races. Players can also compete online. The game also features three new main additions: an in-helmet camera, night-time racing and the Autolog feature introduced with Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit.

Shift 2 claims to redefine the racing simulator genre by delivering authentic and true-to-life dynamic crash physics, intricately detailed real-world cars, drivers and tracks. During their careers, virtual racers partake in a variety of motorsports — like drifting, muscle car racing, retro car racing, Endurance races and circuit competition (i.e. FIA GT3 European Championship) — to hone their driving skills in hopes of becoming the FIA GT1 world champion.

In the career mode, Vaughn Gittin, a Formula D Champion guides the player through his career, customizing the car, Autolog, teaching the player how to drift, so the player would head on to the FIA GT3 and the Works series. Then, he begins to move on to the FIA GT1 Championship. Gittin also explains the Muscle discipline. The career mode also features the Formula D driver Darren McNamara, who explains the Retro discipline, Chris Rado, who explains Time Attack and Drag Racing (DLC) discipline, Eric and Marc Kozeluh, who explains Standing Mile (DLC) discipline, Mad Mike Whiddett, who explains the Works discipline, Executive Vice President of EA Patrick Söderlund, who explains the FIA GT3 discipline, Tommy Milner, who explains the endurance discipline, Matt Powers, who explains the Legends (DLC) discipline, and Jamie Campbell-Walter, who explains the FIA GT1 discipline.