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, especially NASCAR Heat Evolution.
- Fun and engaging career mode that allows players to start in lower series and work their way up.
- Decent graphics and enjoyable gameplay, capturing the essence of NASCAR racing.
- Persistent technical issues, including crashes and controller configuration problems.
- AI behavior can be inconsistent, often leading to frustrating racing experiences.
- Lack of depth in car customization and tuning options, limiting player engagement.
- 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 they are decent and show some improvement over previous titles, they still fall short of modern standards, often resembling graphics from earlier console generations. Some users appreciate the solid performance on lower-end PCs, but others criticize the lack of detail, jagged lines, and basic graphical options. Overall, the consensus is that the graphics are acceptable for gameplay but could benefit from significant enhancements.
“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.”
“The graphics are so bad I can't describe it in words.”
- music23 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 57 % 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. Many appreciate the option to turn off the music if it doesn't suit their taste, and the main menu features engaging licensed songs that enhance the overall experience. However, some critics feel that the focus on music detracts from other gameplay elements, such as car handling.
“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.”
“Been 2005 chase for the cup since I really loved a NASCAR soundtrack, and this game seems to have a good variety of some relatively unheard of songs that are quite good.”
“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.”
- gameplay21 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its fun and engaging career mode, while others criticize its lack of realism and outdated physics compared to other racing simulators. While it offers a decent experience for casual players, many feel it falls short of expectations for a true racing simulation. Overall, it is seen as a step up from previous titles, but still has significant room for improvement.
“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.”
“Many years ago, I had a game called Days of Thunder (yes, after the film, lol) on a Nintendo Game Boy, and the gameplay on that was actually better than this.”
- 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 sense of challenge and realism. 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.”
- stability5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
Overall, the stability of the game is mixed; while some users report smooth performance on high-end systems, others highlight significant issues such as glitches and broken AI, particularly in single-player mode. Multiplayer functionality is largely criticized as non-existent, indicating a lack of support from the developers.
“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 has been incredibly stable for me, with minimal crashes and smooth performance throughout my sessions.”
“I've experienced consistent frame rates and no major bugs, making for a very enjoyable gaming experience.”
“Nascar Heat Evolution would probably be a 3.1/10, and Nascar '15 would be a 7/10, but if they fixed the broken AI and all the stupid glitches, it would probably be a 9/10.”
“Singleplayer: yes (but broken with glitches and stupid AI)”
“Main thing to note: multiplayer is dead, devs made a trash game, lots of glitches, but a step up from Nascar '15.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The game has a mixed reception regarding replayability, with some users rating it an 8 due to improved playability in the Sprint Cup mode, despite frustrations with the physics in other modes like Truck and Xfinity. Overall, the experience varies significantly depending on the mode played.
“Replay value: 8”
“Replay value”
“Replay value is low.”
“This physics is terrible, especially in truck and Xfinity, but in Sprint Cup it's a bit more playable.”
- story2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is perceived as lacking depth, with some users suggesting that if the gameplay were stronger and more substantial, the narrative could have been more engaging.
“If the gameplay was good and the game wasn't just for novelty, it might be a different story.”
- 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 how the game incorporates clever jokes and puns throughout!”
- 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 competitive scenarios, such as racing. The emotional impact is heightened by moments of failure, like hitting another car, which can evoke feelings of inadequacy or disappointment.
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%
