Need For Speed Heat Recalls The Best Moments From Underground & Most Wanted

In your own garage, you can pimp the total of 127 cars contained down to the last detail. On the one hand, you tune up the engine, expand the nitro tanks, install sports and racing suspension or a new gearbox. On the other hand, you can extensively change the look: front spoiler, rear wing, bonnet, splinters, fenders, rims, brake calipers - everything can be customized. On top of that you paint your creation and equip it with decals.

Nice: The annoying loot boxes (the so-called "speed cards") for upgrades from the predecessor Payback are a thing of the past. Instead, you unlock parts with rep points (from night races) and money (from day races). So you mod out cars like the BMW M3, Nissan 240Z, VW Golf I or Lamborghini Aventador to the maximum. By the way, Ferrari is back in the fleet with 33 manufacturers, although it was still missing in the predecessor.

Role model Miami in Need for Speed

The fictional city of Palm City and its subtropical surroundings serve as the setting for the new Need for Speed. The open game world is divided into 18 districts and feels smaller than Payback. However , Palm City has a much denser road network. So you race around a lot until you have seen everything. Alternatively, you can also heat cross-country. Because the developers shaped the world more than in Payback.

How well do you recognize the virtual cars?

Need For Speed Quiz: screenshot or reality?

Need for Speed wants to set new standards for racing games with its graphics. We challenge you to the ultimate challenge: Can you differentiate a screenshot from reality? Prove to us and your friends that you can't be fooled by graphics!

You can expect not only city races, but also trips to rural areas. Among other things, there is an observatory, an oval route, a port area, long beaches and all kinds of settlements. The scenery almost looks like a small Forza Horizon. A surprising number of surrounding objects can be destroyed. Lanterns, palm trees, bus stops shatter into their individual parts when in contact, which means less frustration, especially in upcoming races.

Fixed times of the day

Surprisingly, there is no progressive day in Need for Speed Heat. Instead, you switch between day and night in the menu, which also has a playful effect. During the day you take part in official races - either in laps or from point to point. In addition, you compete in drift competitions and off-road events - similar to the prequel payback. It is a pity, however, that drag acceleration races (so far?) Are not included. Because these are actually part of a proper need for speed.

At night, however, there are illegal frenzies that are more chaotic. Because the police are also involved. This takes on the pursuit with more and more emergency vehicles and tries to push you away. It is interesting that the law enforcement officers are still after you after the race is over. The first time the guys were never a danger, on top of that they give up chasing you too quickly.

Too little racing action in the new NfS

It's a shame that you only contest the races with a maximum of seven other AI razors. As a result, there are few direct wheel-to-wheel duels. According to the developer, there is no rubber band effect, which I still strongly doubt in the audition. Instead, the personality of the computer racer determines the driving style.

Which car will you choose?

Start photo gallery (128 photos)

By the way, there are up to 16 players online in the game world. With buddies, you can also set up a crew for which you drive to promote reputation and level. Incidentally, a similar system already had a drive club. The free mobile app "Need for Speed Heat Studio" for iOS and Android has been available since August, where you can configure your own car and tuning in advance. It should be possible to import it into the finished game.

In short, Need for Speed Heat is characterized by many qualities. The car models, which can be modified down to the last detail, are particularly popular. The Palm City game world also has a lot of driving pleasure thanks to its wide streets and destructible surrounding objects. However, the race itself lacks a bit of tension (despite police chases). Still, I think Heat will be more popular than its predecessor Payback.