NASCAR Heat 2
- September 12, 2017
- Monster Games
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.
Get on Steam"NASCAR Heat 2" offers intense stock car and truck racing with 3 national series, the largest roster of drivers in NASCAR video game history, and 29 tracks, including 6 new ones. It also features online racing, local split-screen multiplayer, and updated Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series tracks.
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- Significant improvement over previous titles, particularly in career mode and AI behavior.
- Inclusion of multiple NASCAR series (Cup, Xfinity, and Trucks) adds depth and variety to gameplay.
- Fun and engaging racing experience, especially for NASCAR fans, with decent graphics and sound.
- Persistent technical issues, including crashes and poor wheel support, detract from the overall experience.
- AI behavior can be inconsistent, often leading to frustrating collisions and unrealistic racing scenarios.
- Lack of customization options and depth in career mode, making progression feel repetitive and shallow.
- graphics56 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game receive mixed reviews, with many players noting that while there have been improvements, they still fall short compared to contemporary racing titles. Some describe the visuals as decent or solid, but others criticize them as mediocre or reminiscent of older console graphics, highlighting issues like jagged lines and limited graphical options. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the graphics are not the game's strongest aspect, they are adequate for gameplay, with some players appreciating the improvements made since the previous installment.
“Nascar Heat 2 is the second NASCAR game by 704 Games (aka DMR) and it added two of NASCAR's lower racing series, somewhat of a paint booth, more tracks, a graphics improvement, and a lot more.”
“The racing in this game is great, the graphics are solid, and the career mode is fun.”
“I'm glad to see they added the other series into the game and better graphics.”
“The graphics are dumbed down to the late 2000s.”
“The graphics again leave a lot to be desired; the sounds are painful to listen to.”
“You still bounce off cars like bouncy balls; the graphics are 'meh', which I'm not picky about when it comes to graphics.”
- music24 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players enjoying the diverse and catchy soundtrack, including rock and country tracks, while others find certain genres annoying and wish for more customization options. Many appreciate the high-energy tunes that enhance the racing experience, although some criticize the music selection as generic or unappealing. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a highlight for some, while others feel it detracts from the core gameplay.
“Been getting into NASCAR lately and wanted an up-to-date, authentic, fun, and good-looking NASCAR game that provides single player, multiplayer, local splitscreen, and real-life drivers/cars. This game captures all of these things and despite all the hate, is a great NASCAR title that does an excellent job of capturing the feel of NASCAR. The music tracks are great, and the main menu navigation is smooth and well designed.”
“The main menu has constant high-action footage of the early 2017 national series' seasons. The music went from a generic smattering of royalty-free music to some pretty rockin' licensed songs that genuinely got stuck in my head a lot. The cars rotate on the selection screen, and all in all, it's way easier on the eyes.”
“Great metal songs and southern feeling rocks will make your ears happy.”
“The music has a few country songs that can be annoying if you don't enjoy that genre, but in the settings you can turn off the music if you don't care for it.”
“Maybe they should have spent less time putting music in the game and focused on the handling of the cars on track, because that is why people race NASCAR 2K3 still to this day online.”
“Well, the music here will remind you of waking up covered in your own vomit in the toilet of a seedy bar.”
- gameplay23 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its fun and engaging career mode while others criticize its outdated physics and lack of immersion. Many users feel that it falls short of being a true racing simulator, comparing it unfavorably to previous titles and expressing a desire for more realistic gameplay mechanics. Overall, while there are enjoyable elements, the game is seen as lacking depth and innovation in its core gameplay experience.
“Solid gameplay with all NASCAR categories.”
“Well done on the gameplay.”
“Obviously it is not the super-realistic sim that either one of those are, but man is it nice to finally have an up-to-date NASCAR game with what seems to be a great career mode and just overall fun gameplay.”
“Complete garbage gameplay from un-immersive radio talk with the same few phrases played over and over, to how the physics of the cars are.”
“When it comes to gameplay, this game is lacking in a few certain areas, particularly the physics. When comparing this game to NASCAR '15 or '14, it makes them look like iRacing or other full-fledged racing simulators.”
“Neither the updated career mode nor the challenge mode can save this game from the fact it really can’t offer much to someone wanting a little more involvement from their gameplay.”
- optimization8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with players noting that while lowering graphic settings can improve performance, the overall graphical quality lags behind other AAA racing titles. Additionally, the lack of meaningful management systems and the ability to quickly repair damage during races detracts from the realism and challenge, leading to a less engaging experience. Overall, the game runs smoothly after adjustments, but it feels under-optimized compared to its competitors.
“Gain momentum, which helps improve the car's performance for the next race.”
“At first, performance was pretty touchy, but just lower the graphic settings and everything is hunky dory.”
“Performance will be bad but there is no way of ending a race with a DNF.”
“Also, all damage can be quickly fixed by a pit stop, and if you are under caution, then the car is completely fixed without going a lap down or any performance drop.”
- stability7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 71 % negative mentions
The stability of the game is a mixed bag, with some players experiencing smooth performance on high-end systems, while others report significant issues such as glitches, broken AI, and a lack of multiplayer functionality. Overall, the game shows potential for improvement but currently suffers from numerous stability problems that detract from the overall experience.
“If you want a NASCAR game that isn't iRacing and is more arcade but still pretty good at realism, this is for you. It runs great on my 1070 maxed out.”
“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.”
“Main thing to note: multiplayer is dead, devs made a trash game, lots of glitches, but a step up from NASCAR '15.”
“Bad racing throughout, glitches, exploits, and easy ways to cheat the AI; wrecks, no matter how bad, have no consequences, a massive step back from its predecessor.”
- story3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game has been enhanced, with reworked career and mission modes that offer more meaningful experiences and varied gameplay loops. However, some users feel that the overall narrative may not stand out if the gameplay does not meet expectations.
“The career and mission modes have been reworked to be more meaningful and provide different gameplay loops.”
“If the gameplay was good and the game wasn't just for novelty, it might be a different story.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users generally rate the game's replayability positively, with an average score of 8, indicating that many find it enjoyable enough to revisit multiple times.
“The replay value is impressive, offering new experiences with each playthrough.”
“There's a significant replay value that keeps me coming back for more.”
“The game has great replayability, allowing for different strategies and outcomes.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users find the humor in the game to be highly entertaining and enjoyable, often describing it as genuinely funny.
“That is some funny stuff!”
“The humor in this game had me laughing out loud!”
“I love the witty dialogue and hilarious situations!”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users express a mix of frustration and vulnerability in their emotional experiences, often attributing their feelings to personal skill levels while engaging in gameplay scenarios like collisions or attempts to maneuver. This highlights the emotional impact of performance and the connection between skill and player sentiment.
Critic Reviews
NO-SCAR: NASCAR Heat 2 review
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.
25%NASCAR Heat 2 Review
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.
60%NASCAR Heat 3 Review
NASCAR Heat 3 provides a merely okay racing experience that's just not worth its $50 asking price.
50%
