Metascore
66

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 12
  2. Negative: 1 out of 12
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  1. Sep 19, 2017
    80
    NASCAR Heat 2 offers a lot to do for players. It might feel a bit rushed, but it’s extremely addicting and fun. The racing is a consistent experience and Career Mode features aspects that haven’t been seen before. While it may lack the options of true simulation racers, the admirable A.I. should make up for that. Top that off with some excellent visuals and a coupon for a real race ticket, and Heat 2 continues to trend in the right direction.
  2. Sep 12, 2017
    75
    There’s a lot of variety in NASCAR Heat 2, it’s just more immediately seen in things like the one-off races or online multiplayer...It’s hard to fault Monster Games and 704 though; we’d been asking for all this stuff for years. But it makes me feel like I’m sitting down to a nine-course meal more than a buffet.
  3. Sep 16, 2017
    73
    From a pure fun factor, NASCAR Heat 2 delivers. Driving is a blast, even though it's not all that realistic. Some will embrace the more arcade feel and others will scoff at the more simplistic racing concepts. However, no one should dismiss the depth that has been added to the modes and the massive leap the franchise has taken in just one year. The future could be bright for this series.
  4. Oct 4, 2017
    70
    Lacking challenge and decent graphics, NASCAR Heat 2 was never going to be a transcendent racing experience. However, if you're a fan of NASCAR, you'll find a lot to like in the game as well.
  5. Sep 30, 2017
    70
    NASCAR Heat 2 brings the exciting world of NASCAR in a game that, compared with its predecessor, it improves many aspects in order to deliver an entertaining driving game.
  6. 70
    NASCAR Heat 2 is a definite step up from its predecessor, but it’s still lacking a layer of polish that would propel it towards appealing to a larger racing audience. Those who want an authentic NASCAR racer should be satisfied with this year’s installment, but there’s just too many minor issues that bog the racing down a level.
  7. Sep 12, 2017
    70
    All of this represents good progress for the franchise, but while NASCAR Heat 2 adds racing series, rivalries, and other features, it misses an opportunity to make them meaningful and expand the actual scope and excitement of the game.
  8. Nov 13, 2017
    60
    In the end, NASCAR Heat 2 offers up plenty of racing for fans to enjoy. The driving is tight, and it feels genuinely good to win. However, when it comes right down to it, I suspect my problem with the game may actually be a problem with NASCAR itself — all of the excitement and exhilaration is buried beneath race after boring race, lap after boring lap.
  9. Oct 9, 2017
    60
    Despite adding a bit extra to this year’s career mode, there are some technical issues that plague the experience. Shame really, because NASCAR Heat 2 can be quite fun at times.
  10. Oct 4, 2017
    60
    NASCAR Heat 2 is a well-built racer with honest intentions and intense action. The robust Career mode conveys the toils of a real racing career – sometimes a little too accurately as it can start to drag. Nevertheless, with three disciplines and suite of offline and online modes, this is an entertaining experience – just be aware that it doesn’t have anywhere near the budget to rival the various other racing games you can buy.
  11. Sep 22, 2017
    58
    This is a step in the right direction, unfortunately, that still leaves things average at best.
  12. Sep 26, 2017
    25
    NASCAR Heat 2 is a huge disappointment and massive collapse of the promise given by the decent predecessor, NASCAR Heat Evolution. The game’s controls are loose and worse than ever, and the problems of the first, including some patently stupid glitches and exploits, are still fully present. The game looks fine, but it does not play well at all, and represents what may be a sign that NASCAR just won’t ever translate well to the video game world.
User Score
5.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 27 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 27
  2. Negative: 11 out of 27
  1. Sep 12, 2017
    7
    First off this iteration is a step forward over its predecessor. However, there are some things that are lacking that just take away from theFirst off this iteration is a step forward over its predecessor. However, there are some things that are lacking that just take away from the overall feel, and immersion, that I think 704 Games should be going for. Firstly, I heard from several Youtubers that the "Hot Seat" offers were completely random, but I received offers for the exact same races that every Youtuber I watched received. Secondly, after you secure a full-time ride beginning in your first full season, it's not your name, but the previous (real-life) driver's name that appears on your car/truck. For offline (mainly career) modes there should be a place in the Create a Driver section to input your first and last name which shows up on the leaderboards and the last name is also mapped to show up on your vehicle. I feel this greatly take away from the immersive experience that would be easily possible to create. Also during my first couple of hours playing the game, during offline career play, I notices several frame rate crashes whilst in the race. There should be no "lag" in an offline race. I also hope that they patch in some additional options into the currently bland Create a Car (Paint Booth) area. Good game, but could be so much better. Full Review »
  2. Feb 1, 2018
    0
    Literally the worst game I've ever played. If it was just a flat out piece of **** I would have given it a 4, but these cucks perfected justLiterally the worst game I've ever played. If it was just a flat out piece of **** I would have given it a 4, but these cucks perfected just enough of the game that it actually made the **** thing exponentially more frustrating and ****ty because the physics are great compared to any NASCAR game on the last 2 generation consoles. But physics are useless when gameplay is straight up retarded. The challenges are bull**** and boring. **** THIS GAME NOT WORTH A PENNY!!!!! Full Review »
  3. Sep 13, 2017
    7
    I've played NH2 for roughly 4 hours and have thoroughly enjoyed it so far. I have experimented with virtually all the various game modes andI've played NH2 for roughly 4 hours and have thoroughly enjoyed it so far. I have experimented with virtually all the various game modes and each one has left me coming back for more. Visually the game leaves a lot to be desired with dated graphics and decent damage model. Game play is fun, fluid and challenging with the aggressive AI. My BIGGEST complaint so far is the lack of a mini-map...how can a racing game in 2017 NOT include this? Overall I am impressed with how well 704 Games listened to fans, I didn't play NASCAR Heat Evolution so I really can't say firsthand how much the game has improved, but from what friends have told me and things I've read/watched the game is heading in the right direction. I think any reasonable person understood that the 2016 version was the building block and I look forward to what this series can become down the road. Full Review »