Need for Speed: Heat

Need for Speed Heat is a mosaic of existing ideas but it is easily the most impressive Need for Speed game in years.

Need for Speed Heat puts the series back on track with a renewed focus on simple racing and customizing cars.

Ghost Games strips back the recent excess to deliver a simple, satisfying take on the Need for Speed formula, even if some problems persist.

Thrilling night races make Heat the best Need for Speed in years, even if I want to batter every one of its racers.

In present day, Need for Speed Heat seems limited, reminding me of all the things that made it distinct, but still hedging against them in case I don’t find them enjoyable. I’m confused about what would have made this game better, but the series seems just as confused about what it wants to be.

Great modding and a decent game engine can't disguise the tired story and simplistic driving.

The game's day/night structure is part of a compelling structure that makes NFS Heat a solid entry in the franchise.

For the first time in years, Need For Speed has remembered why people used to play it so religiously, and recognised the more recent elements that put them off.

As we said, Need for Speed Heat is the best entry in the franchise for quite some time, but it's still not quite where it needs to be. The day vs. night gameplay is a compelling loop, and it's a big step in the right direction for the series in general. It's a solid effort with fun handling and lots of customisation options. It's a shame the open world lacks personality, and the police are perhaps a little too hardball, but there's still plenty to like. At the tail end of this generation, Need for Speed is back to being good — let's hope it can be great in future.

Need for Speed Heat ditching its predecessor's heavy-handed microtransactions and live-service nonsense is commendable, but in most other ways, this is actually a step back for the series. The game provides some solid arcade thrills, but a limited map, so-so visuals, slapdash action, and irritating cops weigh the experience down. If you're desperate for a new open-world racer, Need for Speed Heat may be worth a spin, but most will want to wait until this one hits the used car lot.