Shift 2 Unleashed: A technically impressive, beautifully polished racing game

It's initially difficult to get a handle on developer Slighlty Mad Studios' latest title.

At first, it appears to be a racing simulator. Like other racing sims out there, the game features real tracks from around the world, the ability to tune and upgrade your cars and the best graphical detail in any racing game on the market.

Your opponents also drive with an unprecedented level of realism. They will strategically attempt to block and pass you and show a keen awareness of your location on the track. "Shift 2" also uses real time telemetric calculations to ensure that the cars handle and react to the road realistically.

Once behind the wheel, "Unleashed" shows that while it may wear the skin of a simulator, it has the heart of a racing arcade. Rather than the smooth handling present in most simulators, the cars in "Shift 2" shake, rattle and roar as you fight to tame them. Each race is a battle not only against your opponents but against the power under the hood of the monstrosity you are hurtling around the track at top speeds.

Adding to the intense experience is the new helmet camera. Using research on real-life drivers' head movements while racing, Slightly Mad Studios created this camera view to mimic the driver's line-of-sight when approaching the apex of a turn. Possibly the game's greatest innovation, the helmet camera puts you behind the driver's visor. While difficult to acclimate to at first, the helmet camera adds to the feeling of controlled chaos - you aren't always driving your vehicle in the direction you're looking.

The dusk and night races prove this game is out to scare you. Driving in this game is visceral enough, but worrying about being blinded by the setting sun on the next turn at dusk or having only what visibility is provided by your headlights at night can make this game nerve-wracking.

Unfortunately, it seems that every race is run under the most perfectly clear blue skies. While the dusk and night races are a welcome innovation, the addition of weather effects could really have added to the overall experience.

"Shift 2" takes players though a variety of racing disciplines. From time trials and manufacturer showdowns, to endurance races and drifting, there's plenty of variety to be found.

As you progress through career mode, all of your personal records are saved to the Autolog, an intuitive way for you to compare your best times to your friends' times online, and share photos and replays that you've saved. You can also get event recommendations based on your current progress.

"Shift 2: Unleashed" is not an easy game. It demands constant concentration and control and is unforgiving when you make mistakes. Luckily, it does support multiple settings that can be adjusted to fit your particular driving style and ability.

Slightly Mad Studios manages to invigorate the racing genre with fun while presenting a technically impressive and beautifully polished game.

"Shift 2: Unleashed" is available now for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC. It is rated E10+ for Everyone ages ten and up by the ESRB.