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Need for Speed Heat arrived with surprisingly little fanfare. Revealed in August 2019 and launched just three months later, EA’s marketing campaign for the 24th installment of this iconic racing franchise was almost nonexistent. Perhaps they lacked confidence, or maybe they hoped word-of-mouth would propel it to sleeper hit status, much like Apex Legends earlier that year. Fortunately, their skepticism proved unwarranted. Heat demonstrates a commendable, albeit belated, effort from Ghost Games to revitalize the 25-year-old series.

Need for Speed Heat Daytime Gameplay

Day and Night: A Tale of Two Cities

Classic Need for Speed titles have traditionally focused on either high-octane police chases or the thrilling world of underground street racing. Heat attempts to seamlessly blend these two distinct styles within Palm City, a vibrant metropolis pulsating with a Miami-inspired neon glow.

By day, Palm City hosts sanctioned races, offering a more casual and accessible experience. This is the perfect time to explore the sprawling map, discover garages for fast travel, and participate in daytime-exclusive events like off-road races. Earn money to customize and upgrade your ever-growing garage of high-performance machines.

Need for Speed Heat Garage

As night falls, the city transforms into a haven for illicit street racing. Unsanctioned races, devoid of barriers and filled with unsuspecting civilian traffic, become the norm. The ever-present threat of police pursuit adds another layer of intensity. With the soundtrack shifting from reggaeton to a pulsating mix of hip-hop and dubstep, nighttime in Palm City is where Heat truly shines. Earning REP in these high-stakes races unlocks new cars, parts, and story missions.

Need for Speed Heat Night Racing

A Roster of Rides, Old and New

Heat boasts an impressive lineup of vehicles, from iconic manufacturers like Chevrolet, Lamborghini, Nissan, and Porsche. The surprise inclusion of Ferrari, a brand notoriously selective about its appearances in racing games, is a welcome addition. While the selection of modern supercars is satisfying, the classic car roster feels somewhat underwhelming. Familiar favorites like the Dodge Charger, Aston Martin DB5, and Volkswagen Beetle return, but the lack of new additions is disappointing. Ghost Games has promised future DLC car packs, hopefully expanding the classic car selection and introducing new manufacturers like Mitsubishi and, ideally, Toyota.

Handling and Customization: A Welcome Overhaul

Heat’s handling model strikes a balance between the arcade-style racing of previous entries and a more grounded, responsive feel. Unlike Payback, cars aren’t locked into specific classes. Each vehicle can be customized to suit individual driving styles, allowing for a wide range of builds, from grip-focused track monsters to drift-happy sideways sliders.

The upgrade system is a significant improvement over Payback’s controversial Speed Card system. Simply earn money and REP, unlock new parts, and install them on your car. This streamlined approach is both intuitive and rewarding. The ability to swap engines and exceed a car’s original performance level ensures that your favorite vehicles remain competitive throughout the game. Even the sound of your engine and exhaust is customizable, allowing for a truly personalized driving experience.

Need for Speed Heat Car Customization

Lingering Issues Hold Heat Back

Despite its strengths, Heat isn’t without its flaws. While the game attempts to balance day and night gameplay, it ultimately favors the latter. Daytime Palm City, while visually appealing, lacks a distinct identity and feels somewhat bland compared to the vibrant energy of the night. Technical issues, such as forced film grain and chromatic aberration effects with no option to disable them, further detract from the visual experience. An overly aggressive sharpening filter also impacts image quality.

Need for Speed Heat Police Chase

Inconsistent AI is another significant problem. Regardless of the difficulty setting, opponents can sometimes pull ahead impossibly fast, making it crucial to seize an early lead. Conversely, when in the lead, it’s easy to leave opponents in the dust. This inconsistency extends to the police AI as well. While their aggressive pursuit is commendable, their ability to easily catch and takedown even the fastest supercars feels unbalanced.

Conclusion: A Step in the Right Direction

Need for Speed Heat represents a positive step forward for the franchise. The engaging day/night cycle, improved handling, and revamped customization options are all welcome additions. However, technical shortcomings and inconsistent AI hold it back from true greatness. While not a perfect return to form, Heat demonstrates that the Need for Speed series still has plenty of gas left in the tank.