Ultimate guide to drifting. Get Gold Plated Achievement in NFS 2015

The Need For Speed series seems to be in its prime decades ago, with some believing it reached its zenith around the original Most Wanted (2005) or the two iconic Underground games. However, I respectfully disagree. In fact, the more recent instalments, particularly NFS Heat, have a wealth of appealing features to offer.

In the world of racing games, there exists a title that may not shine brightly under the spotlight, yet it persists and continues to captivate players. Released in 2015 by Ghost Games, this installment of the Need for Speed franchise is far from perfect, but its undeniable charm and unique offerings keep people coming back. While it’s not particularly impressive or innovative, fans agree that it showcases the racing series at its most visually stunning.

However, this reboot lacks a subtitle and is burdened with several flaws. The AI opponents can be brain-dead, the police are relentless, and the game requires an always-online connection, which frequently interrupts play with server maintenance messages. The handling is quirky, the story is non-existent, yet the game’s atmosphere and the ultimate drifting challenge it presents keep players engaged.

Many find themselves drawn to this game for the challenging drifting mechanics, but a comprehensive guide to mastering drifting in NFS 2015 was hard to come by. So, I’ve decided to create one myself.

Why bother with drifting in NFS 2015 at all

As a die-hard fan of Need for Speed 2015, I can tell you that breezing through this game isn’t much of a challenge, thanks to its straightforward title and uncomplicated gameplay. However, venturing into prestige mode, which was introduced with an update, is a whole new ballgame. It seems like someone at Ghost Games Studios decided to up the ante after reading some reviews, thinking “They say it’s too easy? Let me show them…” and ramped up the difficulty level significantly.

Many individuals find it challenging to earn even the most basic medal, yet they implore the creators to lessen the criteria. However, in terms of normal races such as sprint or circuit, these can usually be grasped and excelled at using a powerful Porsche RSR. On the contrary, drifting is an entirely different challenge. Add awkward handling to the mix, and you’ve got a formula for frustration.

Although I’ve come across numerous YouTube videos demonstrating various events, none of them delved into the specifics of drifting mechanics or provided guidance on mastery. After diligently working through Manu’s prestige list, earning gold for every event and achieving the Gold Plated trophy, maximizing my title progression, I now feel confident that I have a comprehensive grasp of this system.

If you’re incredibly persistent and determined to unlock every achievement in this game, specifically the Gold Plated ones, without relying on shortcuts like cheats, trainers, or modifications, then I’ve got a resource tailored specifically for you.

You can’t drift without a ride

In the fast-paced world of Need for Speed 2015, every ride isn’t cut from the same cloth. The Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 2.8, a beast on the racetrack and an ace at speed challenges, is undoubtedly king in its domain. But when it comes to drifting, it doesn’t quite live up to the hype. In my gaming experience, I’ve found that this beauty is more about precision and power than graceful slides.

The main idea encapsulated within this guide can essentially be summarized using a single term – preference. Nonetheless, numerous enthusiasts (including myself) concur that the optimal car for undertaking this task is the Lamborghini Huracán LP 610-4 from 2015.

(I’ve attempted to maintain the original emphasis by using “optimal” instead of “best.”)

In simpler terms, although some people online seem to win awards as easily as a Nissan Skyline GT-R R34, if you’re open to any vehicle and aim for the accomplishment in the end, the Lamborghini Huracán would be a better choice for you.

Tune it till it slides like an ice skater

As a car enthusiast, I took charge of personalizing my vehicle’s handling. Instead of going for a balanced setup, I opted for an exhilarating experience – I cranked up all the drift-related settings to their maximum. After testing countless configurations, I discovered that this setup makes drifting a breeze, both in initiation and maintenance. However, it’s important to note that on straight lines, maintaining control can be challenging at times.

To achieve optimal performance and access all the adjustable settings, it’s crucial to invest in top-tier components. Neglecting to do so might make it challenging to compete for anything higher than bronze in those contests. Remember that certain settings, like downforce, can only be unlocked upon purchasing a specific cosmetic part, such as a spoiler in this instance. Additionally, tires play a significant role in handling and their adjustments are exclusively accessible from the parts menu.

When discussing components, one crucial part is nitro, as it allows you to prolong your drift and preserve momentum. In other words, when confronting this challenge, make use of Action Nitrous that gets charged during driving actions. Given that you’ll be drifting frequently, it will typically be fully charged.

Furthermore, it’s important to note some essential options such as Disabling the Breaking Drift Assist might be beneficial for you. Also, you might want to consider activating Launch Control and Drift Stability Assist if your skills are not fully developed. However, remember that these features can become a hindrance later on, so use them cautiously. Particularly, the Drift Stability Assist can help you maintain a drift, but it will make the car stiffer and less responsive, which could cause issues with fine and precise control.

After numerous trials, I haven’t observed any discernible change after modifying the Spring Stiffness and Sway Bars. However, please be aware that my observations might not be comprehensive, so feel free to experiment with them according to your preferences.

Turn sideways and pedal to the metal or how to initiate drift

Starting a drift is something fundamental, but surprisingly, it’s often overlooked which leads to numerous issues and annoyances later on. It may seem simple; just turn your wheels, apply brakes, and there you go, right? However, that only tells half the story. Here is a cheatsheet of default NFS control settings for a better understanding:

1. Throttle Sensitivity (Throttle Deadzone): This setting controls how much throttle input is required before the car starts moving forward.
2. Steering Sensitivity (Steer Deadzone): This adjusts how much steering input is needed before the car starts turning.
3. Brake Bias: This determines how much braking power goes to the front and rear wheels of the car.
4. Clutch Modifier: This setting affects the pressure required to press the clutch in manual transmission cars.
5. Handbrake Modifier: This adjusts the amount of force needed to apply the handbrake.
6. Shift Up/Down Delay: These settings control how long you have to hold the gear shift before changing gears.
7. Steering Sensitivity (Steer Ratio): This adjusts the relationship between the steering wheel rotation and the car’s turning angle.
8. ABS Tuning: This setting affects the Anti-lock Braking System’s behavior during braking.
9. TCS Tuning: This controls the traction control system, preventing excessive wheel spin during acceleration.
10. Stability Control: This setting determines how much help the car will provide to keep it stable during drifts and other maneuvers.

There are a couple of ways to initiate drift in NFS 2015:

Under the condition that your car is adjusted for drifting, you might initiate it by merely navigating a bend and maintaining this position for an adequate duration, all while aggressively pressing down on the accelerator.

Instead, consider using this method: Pause momentarily by taking your foot off the accelerator pedal and then pressing it again when you need to reduce tire grip or break traction. This technique proves particularly helpful during linked drifting sequences.

As a gamer, I find that when I want my vehicle to skid deliberately, I don’t just let it happen naturally. Instead, I subtly apply pressure on the accelerator while simultaneously using the brakes. This technique allows me to control the slide more effectively.

To gain even better control over the slide and navigate tighter turns effectively, consider using an additional technique. Before applying your usual brake, press the E-Brake button to slow down significantly. However, remember to release the E-Brake before letting go of your regular one. This maneuver allows for quicker drift angles but be aware that it depends on your speed and the road’s curvature. You can either keep the acceleration button pressed (for faster slides) or let it go (for slower, more controlled drifts with sharper turns).

Starting off, this gives you a push to begin, but it’s just the beginning of the mechanics tale. If you don’t add more details, you’ll likely change direction by 180 degrees or bring the drift to an abrupt end without earning many points. So, what comes next?

Getting in control and maintaining the slide

To really get into the action, if you maintain the same steering input after initiating a drift, you’ll eventually complete a full circle and bring the slide to an end, not necessarily with flair. To extend the drift, you need to counter-steer in the opposite direction and keep applying pressure on the control stick or key.

In this Need for Speed game, the physics can be quite unpredictable, as several players have pointed out. Even when you’re trying to correct the drift, you’ll continue to glide off course for a bit, as if an unseen force is pulling you. This anomaly allows you to move almost straight ahead in certain situations, while still maintaining a sideways position and scoring points.

To master a long, continuous drift without using a flick, you’ll need some practice. The key is to keep alternating the steering from one side to another. It might take a while to figure out exactly when to change direction, but with patience, you’ll get the feel for it. This technique will make the back of your car look like it’s wagging its tail. Whenever you sense that the car is about to straighten up or stop drifting, steer in the same direction as the current drift. Conversely, if the angle becomes too sharp, try to maneuver as if you’re trying to move forward. Sometimes this can help in adjusting the appropriate angle for the next turn. In certain situations, it may be better to flick the car to the other side instead. With time and practice, you’ll develop the ability to determine what’s necessary in each situation.

This feature is crucial as it enables you to keep drifting smoothly, all while retaining complete command of your vehicle’s direction. It not only aids in outsmarting potential rivals but also ensures you steer clear of oncoming traffic.

Another essential method is called letting off the gas pedal. This action will decelerate your speed, giving you more room to navigate, but not ending the drift prematurely. This technique can assist you in overcoming understeering that might otherwise force you into a collision with an outer obstacle, resulting in lost points or an unwanted encounter with a civilian vehicle.

Using a burst of gas can also be beneficial when performing a skid turn in the opposite direction. In some cases, simply pressing harder on the accelerator while steering against the desired direction might suffice. But if you’re aiming for a swift and sharp change of course, it’s recommended to employ the E-Brake method as detailed in the preceding section instead.

In summary, let me clarify one more thing – how to end a drift prematurely. Typically, all you need to do is straighten out your vehicle and utilize any saved points. However, there may be instances where you want to finish the drift earlier for better maneuvering or faster acceleration. In these cases, simply tap the emergency brake. Keep in mind that in certain situations, if you turn against the direction of the drift and activate the E-Brake, the car might suddenly regain traction and fling you towards the opposite side of the road. Proceed with caution!

I drift like a champ now, where are my points though?

The grading system in this game remains somewhat enigmatic, as there’s little feedback on your drifting performance apart from the final score. There aren’t any evident signs or guides to help you understand if your technique is effective, making it challenging to improve and adapt accordingly. In a standard gaming scenario, such ambiguity might not be significant, but in prestige mode, where rewards are highly competitive, nailing a near-perfect run to secure gold becomes crucial.

In my initial discoveries, I’ve learned that the angle of the slide significantly impacts your score. The steeper the angle, the closer you are to being parallel with the roadside, which results in a higher score. While speed does offer some advantage as it propels you forward when you’re angled around 45 degrees relative to the street, it doesn’t seem to be crucial. However, it certainly aids in maximizing the distance you cover while being angled sharply, thereby increasing your overall score, and velocity plays a key role in achieving this.

In Drift Trial competitions, focusing on finding gold might mean disregarding the main race course and instead taking advantage of side streets to boost your score. Since these paths don’t limit your time or involve opponents, it can potentially lead to a higher score. Keep in mind that going too far off track will eventually stop the points from increasing, but usually, you’ll gather enough to meet the gold star criteria with ease. I won’t delve into specifics as each track has its unique spots where you can deviate. There are numerous resources on YouTube that can guide you, and over time, you’ll learn to spot these opportunities yourself.

* For Togue, aim to stay at the front of the group as much as possible since this will greatly increase your score.
* Drift Trains resemble Togue, but in these events you should stay close to the group and not outpace them for maximum points.
* Gymkhana combines Drift Trial and Drift Contest; here, you are competing individually within a time limit.

There are a couple of points worth noting that relate to the scoring system:

Collisions with other cars (other racers or civilians) do not reset your score. Unless you crash completely, the drift won’t break. However, it is interesting that the complete crash with other cars also won’t reset your score – it will only cash it in, providing that in the crash you haven’t touched any outside barriers.
NFS is ridden with connection issues. You might have 1Gb+, super stable internet connection and it will still often tell you that there are problems with your network. Those pesky messages will hinder your score effectively, stopping the points from flowing. There is nothing that we can do about it, sadly.
The collision system in this game is a mess. Sometimes a very slight touch of your car with a road barrier will make you lose your points, while other times a full-on collision with them will let you preserve the points. It’s a lottery and it’s hard to tell when your score will vanish. Obviously, the best way to prevent it is to avoid hitting barriers altogether, but it’s worth knowing that it might not necessarily kill your run.
To maximize the length of track, before starting the event, position yourself as much to the back as possible. That will let you cover ever so slightly more length in the track, allowing you to get some more points, and better starting conditions. You will be surprised how much difference it can make, especially when you find yourself missing 3k points for the gold medal.
While drifting, and generally while driving, pay special attention to curbs and uneven surface of the road. It can make the initiation of the slide extra hard, throwing your car out of balance or, in some extreme situations, even totaling your ride. Due to that, avoid any instances when your car can lift wheels above the road, even if it’s the “optimal” path marked by the blue arrows. Try to stay on tarmac as much as possible.

Conclusion, or sliding into the sunset

Based on HowLongToBeat estimates, finishing all prestige events (which number around 40) along with the Final Challenge is expected to take roughly 100 hours. Given the amount of knowledge you’ll need to acquire and the level of grinding involved, this timeframe seems reasonable. Interestingly, I managed to secure the Gold Plated achievement in 100 hours as well. This time encompasses not only the main storyline of Need for Speed 2015 but also all side missions, plus a bit extra.

The crucial advice to remember is never give up on trying. When you feel drained or disheartened, step back for a while. Take a break, whether it’s a few minutes, several hours, or even a couple of days. Engage in something else to rejuvenate yourself. Pushing yourself too hard can lead to exhaustion and burnout. It’s essential to avoid excessive pressure. Achieving the “Gold Plated” status is meant to be the pinnacle, testing all your abilities and potentially taking days, weeks, or even months depending on your dedication. Sometimes, you may experience a fantastic streak that ends due to an unforeseen event, bad luck, or even disconnection. If you’ve ever played Dark Souls, progressing through Need for Speed: Prestige can be equally challenging and time-consuming, but it is achievable.

Wrapping up, remember that playing this game is meant for pure entertainment and delight. Take a moment to appreciate the stunning landscapes and sleek automobiles accompanied by the sound of tires squealing. Though its handling system may seem peculiar at first, you’ll find satisfaction once you grasp it fully. I wish that with this guide, you will manage to master it successfully.

To bid you farewell, I’m giving you one of my favorite challenging runs on Manu Prestige titled “Clamping down”. It was quite chaotic with plenty of mishaps and victories, yet it never made me dislike the game. I wish you luck!

2025-04-21 22:08