First of all, Shift seems really unpolished. I really think Shift is the latest victim of rushed releases as a result of a down turn in game sales. What's here is good and there are hints of a really great arcade/semi-realistic racer under the unpolished exterior.
The Good:
Not your usual NFS game, in a good way
Lots of tracks, lots of modes to explore
Progression system is a clever addition
Graphics are respectable for a multi-platform title
Fun and addictive gameplay
The Sad:
Bizarrely omitted cars (Toyota Supra?!)
Buggy, Buggy, Buggy
Being offered the option to purchase cars with real money made me vomit in my mouth a bit
Over-hyped crash mechanics and interior camera don't add anything real to the gameplay
