Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 29
  2. Negative: 1 out of 29
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  1. Nov 8, 2019
    93
    Need For Speed Heat is a return to form for the series and the best entry this generation. The racing action is top-shelf and the day to night shift in gameplay focus keeps things fresh.
  2. Nov 12, 2019
    90
    A triumphant return to form for a series that has gone off the track in recent years. With its nail-biting police chases and electrifying sense of speed, Need for Speed Heat is the most exciting and tense arcade racing game we’ve had the pleasure of playing in years. It proves that there’s life in the old dog yet, even in a world in which Forza Horizon exists, and we’re very glad of that.
  3. Nov 8, 2019
    90
    One of the best racing games of the generation. Spectacle, good music, tuning, racing and lots of fun.
  4. Nov 8, 2019
    90
    Need for Speed Heat is an ode to what made this saga great with an installment that retrieves its foundations to combine them with a clear inspiration from the Forza Horizon saga bringing us one of the most complete and entertaining arcade driving games of the generation with stunning visuals.
  5. Nov 27, 2019
    88
    Its characters lack depth, and it could really use some sort of leaderboard or ladder to compete with. But, overall, Need for Speed Heat is worth playing even if you're just a casual racing fan. The day/night dynamic is entertaining and mixes things up. The car list is better than expected. Customization is clean and maximizes personalization. And the driving mechanics aren't overly complicated but present enough of a challenge. s
  6. Dec 11, 2019
    80
    Ultimately, Need for Speed: Heat is a decent racer. In fact, I would say it is a great playing one. It’s just missing something new. Since Most Wanted on the 360, the formula hasn’t changed much. Payback tried to, but never really came into its own. Heat has everything that is needed to make a fun racing game, and it does so very well. Maybe I’m just looking for something and don’t really know what it is. I enjoyed my time with Heat and I’m sure other arcade racing fans will too. It’s a solid game that plays and looks great, even with the little grind that may come along with it.
  7. Nov 24, 2019
    80
    Need For Speed Heat has done a fantastic job going back to its routes... with loads of cars, tons of customisation and the feel of two games in one with the day and night cycle. It has a couple of flaws with the police chases but you still find yourself having a fun, intense experience.
  8. Nov 15, 2019
    80
    Need for Speed Heat is fast, furious, fun, and the best Need for Speed game of recent years.
  9. Nov 15, 2019
    80
    I feel like an accessory to the crime by awarding Need for Speed: Heat such a high score, given the blatant theft of Forza Horizon’s entire schtick. But, at the end of the day it works and the few additions that Heat does bring to the formula help it stand apart. Need for Speed: Heat is a return to form for the series, and a great foundation to rebuild the tattered franchise on.
  10. Nov 11, 2019
    80
    Ghost Games delivers the best NFS of this generation, with thrilling night chases (even if our cars end up being frustratingly too damageable) and lots of contents and variety both during the daylight and night races.
  11. Nov 8, 2019
    80
    Need for Speed ​​Heat is an ideal game for fans of the saga. It has everything: Tuning, day and night races, police chases. Of course, Palm City is a little small, the police is too tired appearing in all night races and the story doesn't bring anything new. Despite this, the multiplayer system, the control of the vehicles and its technical section put us in a great arcade driving game.
  12. Nov 8, 2019
    80
    Need for Speed Heat is a mosaic of existing ideas but it is easily the most impressive Need for Speed game in years.
  13. Nov 8, 2019
    78
    Need for Speed Heat wakes up the series from the nightmare and it's just like a greatest hits of the most iconic episodes of the franchise. Ghost Games did a great job in terms of gameplay and concepts, but Palm City is bloated of filler events and the progression isn't smooth enough. Anyway, the night races are great and the free tuning is back. If you are driven by Underground and Most Wanted nostalgia, Heat is definitely your game.
  14. Nov 25, 2019
    75
    At the end of the day, Need for Speed Heat is a decent arcade racer that racing fans will enjoy, but shouldn’t be expecting a top tier title like others in the series or in comparison to premier arcade racers like the Forza Horizon. At the end of the day, if you’re looking for a new Need for Speed game, this brings police chases and big crashes to an average at best title.
  15. Nov 12, 2019
    75
    While far from a perfect comeback, Need For Speed Heat refocuses the franchise on what it does best, and it’s all the better for it.
  16. Nov 8, 2019
    75
    Need for Speed Heat puts the franchise back on the right track, but the various bugs and dull story means the series is still behind the pack.
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  1. Nov 8, 2019
    Ghost Games strips back the recent excess to deliver a simple, satisfying take on the Need for Speed formula, even if some problems persist.
  2. Nov 8, 2019
    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.
User Score
6.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 201 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 54 out of 201
  1. Nov 24, 2019
    8
    Need for Speed Heat: As a racing fan, I have enjoyed this game a lot! The mechanics behind the game bring me back to the NFS underground 2Need for Speed Heat: As a racing fan, I have enjoyed this game a lot! The mechanics behind the game bring me back to the NFS underground 2 days with a slight aftertaste of NFS: Takedown in the mix. I enjoy the fact that the developers put time into some small details, while there is no collision damage in this game, some of the small details that grabbed my eye were sun reflections and audio differential of certain sounds. This make me feel as if i am realistically driving into the sun and I can hear my car's rumble when i either floor it or am just cruising. The thing that has impressed me most about this game is the hundreds, if not thousands, of customization options! WOW! They did a excellent job on this! From changing rim type, size, color to being about to smoke out taillights I was very impressed. The inedible amount of options had me stunned. There are not to many games that let you change every part of the vehicle, this is awesome because it lets the user have the ability to make their car unique to themselves! No two cars will look the same. Not to mention the amount cars in this game! Holy cow! Most every car you would want to drive either big or small is in this game! Which makes the auto-head me really like it. That I can drive a Z06 corvette to a Ford Raptor truck. You could spend hours just test driving cars. This is a huge win for this game. There are a few small things I would change. First being the music. At first listen you think the music in the game is good and up to date however, you realize its sounds like there are only 4-5 different songs and they all sound the same. EDM beat with lyrics, or just all up-pace beat. Not to mention I get tired of hearing Cardi B go "Okrrruutt" over and over in my ears. I tend to turn music drastically down or off all together as it gets very very old and repetitive. Second, I would like to see more of a lobby select section of online PVP racers. While i do like the open world concept, I would like to have the option of setting up a lobby where I could race 1 on 1 or with a group of racers on a specific course. Still a top not racer for anyone who owns an Xbox One console. Full Review »
  2. Nov 8, 2019
    10
    Best NFS Game from Ghost Games ever. The Grafik is nice and the Cars in the game.
  3. Nov 8, 2019
    10
    I tried the trial and the game is Awesome! Great driving mecani hs, vibrant graphics, exliring sounds.