Heat

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Heat is a role-playing game with both single-player and multiplayer modes. The single-player "Homestead" mode allows you to nurture and build your own farm, while the multiplayer mode for up to 40 players involves surviving in 19th century America with the possibility of becoming a president, sheriff, chief, or governor. Despite its masterful game mechanics, beautiful atmosphere, and humor, the game is plagued by bugs and is poorly optimized, with significant grinding required.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

48%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,630 reviews

graphics68 positive mentions

optimization62 negative mentions

The game has a unique concept and offers a lot of potential for fun gameplay.
Graphics are beautiful and the environment is immersive, providing a great atmosphere.
The crafting and building systems are deep and rewarding, allowing for creativity in gameplay.

The game suffers from extremely long loading times and frequent crashes, making it frustrating to play.
There are significant optimization issues, leading to poor performance even on high-end PCs.
The player base is small, and the community can be toxic, with issues of griefing and raiding affecting the overall experience.

optimization
206 mentions
14 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is widely criticized, with many players reporting severe performance issues, including low framerates, long loading times, and frequent crashes, even on high-end hardware. While some users note minor improvements, the consensus is that the game is currently unplayable for many, requiring significant optimization and bug fixes to enhance the overall experience. Overall, the game's potential is overshadowed by its poor optimization, leading to frustration among players.
- “The only major gripe I have is that there are some bugs and the performance could be much better, but it is very much enjoyable regardless.”
- “Despite the 'reviews', I find this game to be awesome. Yes, there are a bit of bugs and some performance issues right now, but it is after all early access.”
- “This game has potential, but at the moment it is incredibly unoptimized (fps, game mechanics, crafting, ui, movement, sound, etc).”
- “The game is terribly optimized and abandoned.”
- “Poorly optimized and runs at unbearably low framerates.”
- “The optimization is utterly horrible in every aspect.”
graphics
190 mentions
36 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players praising the stunning visuals and immersive environments, while others criticize the poor optimization and low-quality character models. Many users report significant performance issues, including lag and crashes, even on high-end systems, suggesting that the game requires better optimization to match its graphical ambitions. Overall, while the graphics have potential, they are marred by technical problems that detract from the gaming experience.
- “The game is amazing, it has stunning graphics and a lot of places to explore.”
- “Graphics are outstanding and the game could definitely be worthwhile if the dog wasn't so full of fleas.”
- “I'm amazed at the level of realism, the graphics and total immersion the game brings.”
- “This game has the worst graphics; the characters look like badly made cartoons.”
- “The graphics are shit at best for this day and age, and the game requires higher-end hardware to run it. It's more of an optimization issue on your end; your graphics look like something a GeForce GTX 560 could run on ultra settings. Fix your game and give it some serious optimization.”
- “The graphics are pretty much the same as all other games in this genre, and it would be nice to see some improvements made, especially to how our own characters look.”
gameplay
156 mentions
35 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is characterized by a mix of engaging mechanics, such as upgradable skills and crafting systems, which many players find enjoyable and immersive. However, it suffers from significant optimization issues, bugs, and performance problems that detract from the overall experience, leading to frustration among users. While some players appreciate the potential and depth of the gameplay, the lack of updates and support from developers raises concerns about its long-term viability.
- “The gameplay is fun and it runs good on high graphics.”
- “The mechanics are unique, the gameplay is different and wacky yet still well designed.”
- “I really enjoy the gameplay and scenic view from my farm.”
- “Dull environment, boring gameplay, unresponsive controls, and very poor collision detection with crafting/combat also help to make this quite possibly the worst game I've ever played.”
- “The game world might look okay, but generally the mechanics, functionality, piss poor optimization, and the bugs make this a garbage game.”
- “This game has potential, but at the moment it is incredibly unoptimized (fps, game mechanics, crafting, ui, movement, sound, etc).”
stability
109 mentions
3 % positive mentions
-1 % neutral mentions
98 % negative mentions
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, crashes, and performance issues, making it nearly unplayable for many users. While some players find the game enjoyable despite its flaws, the overwhelming consensus is that it requires significant improvements and optimizations to address its numerous glitches and lag problems. Overall, the game is seen as a buggy experience that detracts from its potential fun and gameplay.
- “The game runs great even on a GTX 970, thanks to the hard work of the developers who have been consistently adding and fixing issues.”
- “The developers have been super dedicated, and after 70 hours in alpha 7, I can confidently say the stability has improved significantly.”
- “I would love to bug test for the developers, as they are clearly committed to optimizing the game.”
- “The game is near unplayable due to bugs, crashes, and glitches.”
- “I waited for my review, gave this mess all the chances. I have 15 hours on the game, 14 hours were spent recovering from crashes and screen freezes. Right now this game is not worth $19.99; stay away, this is a huge mess.”
- “The game is so buggy it is unplayable.”
grinding
79 mentions
1 % positive mentions
3 % neutral mentions
96 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players noting it can be quite tedious and time-consuming, particularly in resource gathering and crafting. While some enjoy the depth and complexity of farming, building, and crafting systems, others find the repetitive nature of these tasks detracts from the overall experience. Overall, players appreciate the game's potential and mechanics but express a desire for improvements to reduce the grind and enhance gameplay flow.
- “The building is nice as well, I like the way it's set up, not too grindy.”
- “There is only emptiness and grinding.”
- “At face value, it's a great game, but upon delving past the surface you quickly realize its shallowness, and tedious grind.”
- “The game is super grindy and broken.”
humor
27 mentions
96 % positive mentions
-7 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players highlighting its absurdity and the hilarious interactions that arise during gameplay, such as quirky character animations and unexpected situations. Many reviews mention the game's ability to generate memorable, laugh-out-loud moments, especially when playing with friends, despite acknowledging its bugs and developmental issues. Overall, the game is described as a fun and entertaining experience, filled with silly antics and a unique sense of humor that keeps players engaged.
- “If there ever was a game that was hokey, visually artsy, crazy, deep, challenging, silly, imaginative, funny, and disgusting (at times), then this game is all of that and more.”
- “I guarantee you will have many funny, memey, hilarious moments with your friends in this game.”
- “The bandits drop some decent loot and accidentally shooting a friend with a dart gun to watch them drop is as funny as it sounds.”
- “This is a nice game, but the loading time is so long that it's not funny at all.”
- “The humor in this game falls flat and feels forced.”
- “I expected a lot of laughs, but the jokes just didn't land.”
story
20 mentions
15 % positive mentions
70 % neutral mentions
15 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight a mixed reception regarding the game's story, with some players appreciating the depth of characters and the potential for engaging narratives, while others criticize the lack of a structured plot and meaningful missions, leading to a sense of emptiness. Many users express frustration over the absence of traditional storytelling elements, suggesting that the game feels more like a sandbox experience without a cohesive narrative. Overall, the story aspect appears to be underdeveloped, with calls for more quests and structured content to enhance player engagement.
- “The plot is interesting and the characters have depth and personality.”
- “Sometimes I even forget that I sit in front of my computer and I perceive myself inside of some story.”
- “There is a lot of potential replayability in Heat; the political strife you may face as a farmer may make you want to take up arms and fight for a better president. If you find yourself in the shoes of a sheriff, you can protest the safety of people because you're being paid too little. Feeling like you want to be the classic southern governor or just a man with a mission wanting to build a thriving colony, you can choose whatever you want to do; Heat is your playground.”
- “There is no real story and the progression of the game is boring.”
- “Only gameplay, doesn't include a story.”
- “There are so many broken things in the game that it would lead to a short story, but unless you get this game for free, stay away from it.”
monetization
16 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has been widely criticized, with many users labeling it as a cash grab due to its unfinished state, poor gameplay quality, and reliance on advertisements. Players express disappointment over the disparity between promotional materials and the actual experience, suggesting that the developers prioritize profit over delivering a polished product. Overall, the sentiment indicates a lack of trust in the developers, who are perceived as having a history of abandoning projects after initial sales.
- “This game feels rushed and like a cash grab.”
- “The game was never playable really, plagued by terrible FPS and buggy gameplay paired with terrible servers and empty concept ideas rushed to launch for a cash grab.”
- “Beware those who want to play this game, it is clearly a cash grab and is almost nothing like the videos/screenshots.”
atmosphere
11 mentions
82 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
18 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its immersive atmosphere, characterized by detailed world-building and a captivating western aesthetic that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the beautiful scenery, natural sounds, and the ability to engage creatively within the environment, making it a standout title in the survival genre. Despite being unfinished, the game's atmospheric qualities and graphics, including ray tracing, contribute to its appeal and encourage players to explore and enjoy the world.
- “The attention to detail in terms of western atmosphere and characters makes the game a unique experience.”
- “You really get an atmospheric taste for the wild west and frankly, I have been encouraging folks to enjoy it themselves.”
- “It's the atmosphere of the game that makes you want to play it more and more.”
- “They have some new ideas and it's set in a western atmosphere.”
replayability
7 mentions
14 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
43 % negative mentions
Players highlight the game's significant potential for replayability, driven by its diverse roles and choices, such as navigating political strife or building a colony. However, concerns about overall playability and graphical issues suggest that improvements are needed to fully realize this potential. Despite some bugs typical of early access titles, many find it more engaging than similar games in the genre.
- “The game itself is an amazing idea, with almost infinite replayability.”
- “One other element of this game that is important to me when I purchase games is their replayability.”
- “There is a lot of potential replayability in Heat; the political strife you may face as a farmer may make you want to take up arms and fight for a better president. If you find yourself in the shoes of a sheriff, you can protest the safety of people because you're being paid too little. Whether you want to be the classic southern governor or just a man with a mission wanting to build a thriving colony, you can choose whatever you want to do. Heat is your playground.”
- “Make the game more playable.”
music
5 mentions
60 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its beauty and quality, contributing positively to the environment. However, some players express a preference against music in survival games, finding it less fitting for the genre. Overall, the soundtrack is considered good, though opinions vary on its appropriateness for the gameplay experience.
- “The environment and music are beautiful.”
- “Good music soundtrack.”
- “Music and sounds.”
- “The music is okay, but I don't like music in survival games.”
emotional
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Users express frustration and disappointment regarding the game's performance, particularly the lag during loading, which evokes feelings of nostalgia for poor gaming experiences. The emotional response is largely negative, with some feeling that the game's price is not justified, leading to a desire for a refund.
character development
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
150 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has received criticism for its poor design choices, with avatars often resembling unappealing stereotypes and lacking polish in animations and overall aesthetics. Users have noted that the character design screen offers limited and unappealing options, detracting from the overall experience.
- “The character design screen allows you to either have your avatar looking like a dead hobo or a drug addict with a bad cold.”
- “Animations are bad, character design is poor, LODs are sloppy, and the UI is pretty bad.”
- “Character development feels shallow and uninspired, lacking meaningful choices or growth.”