Definite improvement over first shift, actually this should've been the first shift but needs minor fixes.
Pros: Tighter and more weightier feel. Cars seem less out of control and more balanced in the way they may pull while cornering more than previous shift.
Cons: Cars tend to stick to walls and other cars during collisions I think a tad bit too much (yeah no more wall riding pass opponents) causing your vehicle to lose crucial momentum (which will deter those who like to drive wild). Occasionally the steering tends to stick in the last direction you were steering more than I think it should...I noticed a delay from controller movement to actual wheel reaction which could be the culprit. May just be a 360 controller to pc issue, if not then it needs to be patched a.s.a.p, although it doesnt destroy the game. Havent tried it wit my fanatec wheel yet.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE:
Oh boy, these guys are the best and most unpredictable in the business. I've driven races where the AI will make sure to respect my vehicle and brake or pull away to the side of me if either of us come close enuff to almost cause a collision(Yeah, they're actually crash avoidant now!). They will also hold back if I block paths or gun it pass me if opportunity presents itself. They still will run my ass of the road if I drive like a noob or disrespect their personal boundaries ala original shift, so don't get comfortable. I love the strong aggressive fenderbender prone AI from the original shift but these guys here have a tenacity for being 3 times more efficient, cleaner and challenging to race. They still have ther mishaps without you aswell but when they gun for the checkered flag...you better have your accelerating/braking down pat and know the tracks choreography. There is no rewind here for those who still call shift2 arcade-like. Rewind is for wussies. When you podium here...its just you and the gas under you ass!
GRAPHICS:
Unrivaled cockpit views with the greatest attention to detail of speeding dynamics while racing. Interior texture detail in the cockpit seems less vibrant than original shift, although light/shadow dynamics and reflections are definitely improved. Exterior car details are impeccable, crash damadge and all.
Tracks have added more subtle details aswell like tire and collison debris(which may hit your windshield), dirt kicks up more realistically especially in sandtraps, girls wear skirts short enuff to get peaks of their bottomcheeks...yeah, alotta subtle details. All together great visuals
SOUND:
Just as great as shift1 when it comes to vehicle growling and pavement peeling. Music is okay, nothing noticeable. I do prefer the sophisticated accent of the original shift speaker over the american muscle drifter plastered in everyvideo and motivating speech spreaded thru out the game. I miss that that Top Gear vibe, but he's pretty informative and does a good job.
Miscellaneous: Drifting is probably more accessible since you get a slim do- donuts rundown track to get a feel for it but still one of the most difficult skills to master. You can test drive your vehicles after tweaking tons more variety in parts, menus seem more organized, more tracks and cars (ferrari is still missing from the initial line-up), they kind of got rid of aggressive/precision points as far as I can tell but still reward you for all kinds of stuff if you pimp those slutty tracks with your vehicle. Dirty little whores they are!
I've played little under 10 hours worth and that is my observation so far.
Rewind restarts and sims don't go together.
Get it RIGHT or get LEFT with doing the lap over.