Need for Speed last few installments have been a hit or miss for fans of the franchise. This year, EA is doing everything they can to bring the heat, increasing what there is to love about Need for Speed. Last year’s NFS: Payback was a rock-solid experience, including a well-written story many developers can create, but only EA can perfect. Was it perfection? No, but it positioned the series to leave gamers looking forward to the next installment. And here we are.
Step on the Gas
Welcome to Palm City, a fictional version of Miami. The story kicks off with you partaking in a Speedhunters Showdown where while looking for the win, Palm City Police Department life’s goal is to take you down. And eventually they do, but not in the way you’d expect. Headed by Lt. Frank Mercer, their division prefers to compensate vehicles, take your cash and ruin your reputation. Things go sideways however as the Department is caught on camera, decide to erase everything and leave you to rot.
In a story where the cops are more corrupt than ever before, it’s a reminder of what to love and respect about Need for Speed, it’s unpredictable. Moving on, you play as a new driver that’s entered the city looking to make a name for yourself, with no ride, only a dream. This dream leads you to the Rivera Family Garage ran by Lucus, shop owner (inherited from his father) to create your character and get your hands on a set of wheels. What happens next is what will define your legacy.
Life is a Highway
The level of customization in Need for Speed: Heat is much appreciated this year. From the very beginning I felt like I was able to genuinely create my own driver and customize them from head to toe between clothes and brand. Then it’s on to choosing your first car (we went with the Nissan). Heat makes you feel invested in your vehicle to where we decked it out and never truly wanted another car!
It’s also nice to see your players personality as they step out of their vehicle from time to time, each fully voiced to support giving each character’s life. Trying to get into the league is quite the task as there’s so much to do in-between. In order to even be recognized by the league you must build your reputation, which can only happen at night, while equally building an unhealthy relationship with Palm City P.D. The catch however to earn a name in the streets, you need a tricked-out vehicle that will get you there, and that takes money (or “bank” as it’s called in NFS Heat).
This is where NFS becomes the most unique experience in the franchise. Rather than time transitioning from night and day, or controlled by story, you control the internal clock. During the day as you unveil new campaign missions and side races, you can earn as much cash as possible, yet limited by the amount per race based on your reputation. Going to your map and clicking the left thumb stick will immediately change over to the night lights, and it’s here where the magic happens. These races won’t earn you much cash, but it does allow you to earn street credibility and rank up, along with your crew.
While racing at night, you can also build your Rep heat Level, allowing you to rank up faster than simply winning races. The higher your heat, the higher your multiplier. In order to build your heat level you must make a bit of noise in the city and get the Palm City Police attention. Once you’ve manage to out maneuver the cops (or bribe your way out), making your way to the safe house is the only way to secure your earnings. Getting busted however will cost you a lot of cash and even more rep points, dropping your street credibility.
Your Map, as briefy aforementioned, serve as your guide to where you want to go, showing events, objectives, collectibles and more. There is also a ton of artwork scattered around Palm City to unlock new decal and speed traps in place for new cars.
In 100 Yards, Turn Left
Controls are everything in Heat, and it took a bit to properly handle vehicles. It wasn’t that the handling system was off, but that I needed to tune up each part in order to support the engine, brakes, suspensions, etc. Once I caught on, it was smooth sailing, hitting every corner and curving every U-Turn, showing how upgrading makes a difference.
While taking damage, which Heat is very lenient, you can fix your vehicle on the go by running into nearby gas stations. While the map seems a bit smaller in comparison to older Need for Speeds in the franchise, the gas stations are a bit more separated than usual.
Fans of the franchise will also appreciate that the loot system from NFS: Payback has been removed, returning to you being to by specific parts while upgrading your cars. While it did work most times, it was a nuance trying to unlock the right parts for certain racing, transitioning from a sprint to an off-road challenge. Gratefully, you just to win a few races and grab the parts you need.
Red Light
While Need for Speed delivered a better all-around experience, it was far from perfect. The first thing you’ll notice is the downgrade in graphics. My vehicles were a bit grainy, taking away the beauty we look for in our cars. The engine sounds and mechanics are fine, but the texture here and there are an eye sore to car enthusiasts. Just as bad are pre-race cutscenes. Literally “every” race in Heat will play the same generic animation before the clock winds down. It became too monotonous and unwatchable to where a few hours in I began skipping every cutscene.
Another issue is the heat level mechanic. It feels almost broken as you reach level 3. The cops go from chasing you to demolishing your chances of making it to the next streetlight. It’s an uneven buff from 2-3 and highly question what 4 or 5 (maximum level) would look like. I’d imagine helicopters dropping from the sky to stop you or it all becoming a GTA takedown. Hopefully in a patch, this will all be adjusted.
VERDICT
Need for Speed: Heat is the first in a while where I’ve enjoyed doing so much and barely scratched the surface. You can look forward to 12-20 hours of gameplay, depending on how you upgrade your cars, side missions you choose and so forth. In the beginning I loved upgrading and racing with my first car, at least until it level capped me. Whether taking on the city or enjoying the view, there’s quite a bit to do.
Need for Speed: Heat is a great addition to the franchise with the chance of being even better depending on the minor patches and updates needed to enhance what we’ve played so far. Controlling the time was day is fantastic, giving you the choice of how you’d like to run the city. Considering the absence of Forza this year, it’s time to feel the Need for Speed.
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