Hmm... judging from this, it actually seems like the graphics in Shift 2 are a bit worse than Shift 1's. The lighting's a bit more in your face in Shift 1 with the reflections, which I like, but it seems that the environment in Shift 2 looks a tiny bit more realistic. Both look good, though, so I'm not complaining.

well this is kind of dumb to compare cockpit in split screen you cant really see
I wanna see exterior instead of cockpit .. if they are going to compare in split screen
but judging from this vid
shift 2 tried to go the gt5 route with the more natural colors instead of the vibrant colors that were in shift 1
but its kinda like putting make up on a pig but not to that extreme lol

Well they wanted to start running there mouths at GT5. saying how they dont need 1000 cars. how they prefer quality over quantity.
well just for you
Thankyou for making me feel im driving a tank
Thankyou for making my screen go black and white cos cant stop the car from sticking to the side of the rail. and slightest hit my screen goes black and white.
Also thanks trying to think you can make a game in couple of years more supiour to that of a 6 years gt5 game.

cos yes you guessed it you did fail. i had more fun playing grid handled more better. GT5 rocks always will. whats up with the blocky screen intro parts.
and i love the way how you made me feel i was playing dirt 2 with the cool look of a former champion race driver guiding me threw.

next time stop nicking ideas. like that and oh lets get out photo mode. yes very nice tuning and upgrade section. shame doesnt actually feel like gt5. was skeptical about first shift i didnt buy it. but bought this after some your comments you made. never again.

Is it just me or does the driver in shift 2 have to turn his arms a lot more than in the first shift to make the turn.
Also i kinda wanna say i like how the first shift was lighted more than shift 2.

I'm not impressed with much in terms of racing this gen. Graphics have been really raised racently, and it wasn't by the "two kings" (GT and Forza) in racing. Shift 2 and the upcoming Project Cars are now DOMINATING racing games graphically, GT5 and Forza 4/H do not even compare. But physics and gameplay-wise, most everything's been "off" aside from a select few. My short list would be.

#1 GT5. It's still rocking everybody in terms of gameplay and variety. It's got every kind of 4 wheeled racing almost from Karts to F1 and everything in between. GT needs to step it up graphically now though. Forza is the LEAST of their worries there.

#2 Motorstorm Pacific Rift. Just the #1 most fun and intense arcade/off-road racer ever made or ever will be made. SOOOOOO much variety compared to the bare bones (but great) first game, and a way better racing game than the 3rd game which was more like Split-Second than MotorStorm in THIS Motorstorm Fan's opinion.

#3 F1 Championship Edition. This PS3 exclusive launch game is imho still the best F1 game this gen in terms of the racing.

#4 FerrariChallenge/SuperCar Challenge. Alot of people havn't heard about these, they got VERY little attention. They sucked because not alot of cars, but it's a fact that System 3 put into these PS3 exclusives (they were on Wii too, but they weren't as advanced) the most advanced, realistic physics to ever be in a console racer. The same physics they put into their PC sim. Good graphics for the time too. Very under-rated.

#5 Shift 2. This is only here because I think graphically, it's a sneak peek at the next level in racing sim graphics. Project Cars is improving on that. But Shift 2 has HORRIBLE physics and I disliked playing it. If Project Cars can get the physics more in line than Shift 2, and have enough of a garage to have the variety in the racing while keeping the online field fairly even like GT5 does, it will truly be the next level of racing sims, and something may actually pull me away from GT5, which nothing has based on gameplay.

Also: WipeOut HD- awesome game, awesome value, it's expansion makes it an even better value, top notch quality.