Steam sale: AAA racing game with 100K reviews drops to $3.50 from $70
Need for Speed Heat, developed by Ghost Games and released by Electronic Arts in November 2019, is the direct predecessor to Need for Speed Unbound – the latest entry in the iconic arcade racing series. Set in the fictional metropolis of Palm City, the game features a dual racing system: legal circuit events during the day and high-stakes street races at night. By day, players earn money through official competitions. At night, they build “REP” – the respect of the underground scene – while risking intense police chases. The higher the game’s namesake Heat Level, the more aggressive the police response becomes.
The open world of Palm City is packed with challenges, from hidden jumps and collectibles to intense street races. Staying true to the Need for Speed formula, cars can be customized in great detail, from engine upgrades and exhaust tuning to paint and decals. Players can unlock a total of 127 vehicles. An online mode lets you compete with up to 15 others and according to SteamDB, the arcade racer still sees over 5,000 concurrent players regularly. Built on EA’s Frostbite engine, Heat impresses visually, especially at night when neon lights come to life. The soundtrack, featuring a mix of electronic and hip-hop beats, keeps the energy high.
Varied gameplay, but irrelevant story and weak AI
In its review, the German gaming magazine GameStar praised Need for Speed Heat for its strong presentation, highlighting realistic lighting, weather and smoke effects. The gameplay mix of structured races and thrilling police chases was described as varied and engaging. GameStar also noted that the large open world and online races offer solid long-term motivation. However, the game’s slow start drew criticism, with early progression and the limited car selection feeling a bit sluggish. The story was seen as largely forgettable, featuring repetitive and occasionally cringeworthy dialogue. The AI opponents' at times clumsy behavior was another point of critique.
Despite its flaws, GameStar gave Need for Speed Heat a solid score of 75. The game has also been well received on Steam, where it has gathered over 100,000 reviews since release, 84% of them positive. On Metacritic, the picture is a bit less favorable. The game holds a Metascore of 72 and a User Score of 6.3.
90% discount on the Deluxe Edition
On Steam, Need for Speed Heat is only offered in the Deluxe Edition, which includes a special starter car (K.S Edition Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X), three additional unlockable K.S vehicles, four exclusive outfits and a 5% boost to REP and in-game currency. Normally priced at around $70, the arcade racer is currently available for just $3.50 thanks to a big 95% discount – an offer running until March 27.
Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.
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