NASCAR Heat 4

71%
Game Brain Score Based on 913 reviews
  • graphics
  • gameplay
  • optimization
NASCAR Heat 4 Game Cover
Last year’s NASCAR Heat 3 was an unremarkable racer, but it did the job if you wanted some NASCAR action.
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"NASCAR Heat 4" is the official video game of NASCAR, featuring new graphics, sound, and driving control options. Compete for a real NASCAR esports team, with updated tracks, dynamic AI, and unlockable paint schemes. Also includes a $50 race ticket voucher with digital purchase for participating tracks.

  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

71%
Audience ScoreBased on 913 reviews
graphics54 positive mentions
optimization8 negative mentions
  • The game features improved graphics and sound, making for a more immersive racing experience.
  • The AI has been significantly enhanced, providing a more challenging and engaging gameplay.
  • The career mode allows players to start from dirt racing and work their way up, adding depth to the gameplay.
  • The game suffers from technical issues, including sound glitches and stuttering during races.
  • There is a lack of customization options for controls, making it difficult for some players to set up their preferred configurations.
  • The multiplayer experience is lacking, with few players online and no option for private lobbies.
  • graphics98 mentions

    The graphics in the game receive generally positive feedback, with many users praising their quality, detail, and immersive experience, especially on upgraded systems. However, some players note issues such as glitches, blurry visuals, and a lack of dynamic lighting, which detracts from the overall experience. Overall, while the graphics are considered impressive for the game's genre, there is room for improvement in customization options and performance consistency.

    • “The graphics are wonderful; I love the immersion you feel in career mode and how there is interaction, reputation, etc., involved and associated with all the other drivers.”
    • “Graphics are top notch especially considering it's running on a Unity engine.”
    • “The overhaul of the graphics engine has created a far nicer looking game and a far more immersive environment in which to race.”
    • “Yes, it still is flawed with a glitchy career mode, blurry visuals, among other things.”
    • “Definitely not up to par graphically but if you can get past that it's a great game!”
    • “The graphics are sub par for 2019 and again, this isn't a sim game.”
  • gameplay27 mentions

    Overall, the gameplay is described as enjoyable and solid, with many players appreciating the graphics and mechanics, particularly in career mode. However, some users express dissatisfaction with the driving mechanics, citing a lack of excitement and monotony. While the game is recommended for NASCAR fans, it may not meet the expectations of those seeking a more simulation-focused experience.

    • “The main thing is the gameplay and it's pretty solid once you get into it :)”
    • “Very enjoyable gameplay honestly and the graphics are pretty cool and light.”
    • “The gameplay and game format keeps me interested and that's all that I care about, and in that department the game does not disappoint.”
    • “Gameplay just doesn't feel right.”
    • “I liked the career mode; in fact it is the classical mode where you start from the bottom categories driving on dirt and making it up to the top signing contracts and building a racing team, but soon the excitement fades off as you face the monotonous driving mechanics and lack of charm of the game.”
    • “Gameplay (what?)- although the arcade aspects of the game are 10/10, the simulation aspects are at a 5/10.”
  • optimization14 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing intermittent stuttering, particularly during cutscenes and transitions, which detracts from the overall experience. While some users report smooth gameplay and improved performance on certain tracks, the persistent stuttering issues, especially on PC, indicate that further optimization work is needed to enhance playability. Overall, the game's graphics and customization options are praised, but the optimization concerns remain a significant drawback.

    • “There are videos from your rivals and friends (real NASCAR drivers) that will be sent to you in accordance with your driving style, mistakes, performances, and trading paint throughout your career.”
    • “Graphics look stellar, track performance is amazing (Bristol, which has been notoriously bad in previous entries, is now one of the best in the game), and increased customization options for car, driver, and racing settings (you can control almost every aspect of how the AI drives and it's great) makes this a solid entry for the franchise.”
    • “Also having multiple different scenarios that could play out during contract time (small cup teams taking a shot at a good truck prospect, big teams being skeptical at a prospect's performance, etc.) would help make each playthrough feel more authentic and unique.”
    • “However, talking strictly for the PC version only, the game needs more optimization work for sure.”
    • “Good game ruined by constant stuttering.”
    • “It improved the stuttering, but it's still not good at all.”
  • stability11 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is generally positive, with many users reporting smooth performance and great visuals on high-end hardware. However, some players have encountered occasional bugs, such as sound glitches and vehicle collision issues, as well as more significant problems like freezing and crashing when accessing options. While the game is enjoyable, potential buyers should be aware of these stability concerns.

    • “I have an RTX 2070 Super 8GB and a FreeSync monitor, and the game looks and runs great on both.”
    • “Looks and runs great on my machine (4K with 1080 Ti), and using an Xbox controller gives you great control over the vehicle.”
    • “Really fun game, runs great on PC; I recommend it to anyone who loves NASCAR games.”
    • “It is an arcade game with some glitches.”
    • “Sound glitches - sometimes when you get a caution flag and go back to green, the car sounds begin to stutter.”
    • “It freezes and crashes about 50% of the time while trying to enter the options page.”
  • story9 mentions

    The reviews indicate a desire for a more developed story in the game, with players expressing that while the gameplay is enjoyable, the lack of a narrative detracts from the overall experience. Some users suggest that a storyline involving team dynamics and rivalries could enhance engagement, as the current system can lead to frustration during races. Overall, the consensus is that a richer story mode would significantly improve the game's appeal.

    • “With a story line, you can play as a driver starting your own team or joining a team in four different racing series; it is filled with fun!”
    • “Good action, nice story, nice graphics.”
    • “☐ no story”
    • “I wish the story mode was a little more detailed.”
    • “Couple little random things that annoy me here and there... like the rival system if you do really bad (like me on short tracks and road courses) and you get several rivals and can't really race anymore because they literally make it their mission to wreck you.”
  • music7 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews; while many praise the excellent soundtrack featuring returning artists and precise sound effects that enhance the racing experience, some criticize the limited tracklist, which can become repetitive. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a highlight, but its brevity detracts from its overall impact.

    • “The soundtrack is great.”
    • “I am finishing review with the game's awesome soundtrack list.”
    • “The soundtrack is pretty much all excellent, with a lot of returning artists from past games, but it's a very short tracklist of songs and you will grow tired of them very fast, which is a shame because they're all well worth a listen standalone.”
    • “Music is absolutely terrible and the game plays like trash on a steering wheel.”
  • humor6 mentions

    The humor in the game is generally well-received, particularly when played with friends, enhancing the overall experience. While players appreciate the comedic elements, there are calls for improvements in gameplay mechanics to better support casual players and maintain the fun factor. However, some users feel that the game's current state requires significant work, detracting from the humor.

    • “This game is funny with friends; I would never play alone.”
    • “Hopefully they do an update to allow hilarious massive wrecks, car damage, and catch-up mode for the casual player, and leave the realistic driving to expert setting.”
    • “Very funny, and the career mode is awesome.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be quite demanding, with some suggesting it requires an excessive time commitment. While the gameplay is enjoyable and the AI is praised, the grinding can feel tedious at times, impacting the overall experience.

    • “It can be a bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “I'd give it an A+ but the controller setup was tedious; by default, it's keyboard X + X. The game is a lot of fun and the AI is great.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    The game offers significant replayability, highlighted by its extensive career mode that presents numerous choices and paths for players to explore. Users rate its replayability at 8/10, indicating a strong incentive to revisit the game.

    • “It has a very long career play and offers replayability due to the many possibilities available during the career path.”
    • “Replayability: 8/10”
  • monetization2 mentions

    Reviews indicate that the game's monetization strategy, particularly its advertising, is perceived as deceptive. Players find the game more enjoyable and rewarding when using a steering wheel and pedals, especially when driving ads are disabled.

    • “The advertising for this game on Steam is deceptive.”
    • “The monetization system feels exploitative and takes away from the overall experience.”
    • “It's frustrating how much you have to spend to enjoy the game fully.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game is criticized for lacking the immersive elements typical of NASCAR, such as race day announcements and a distinct mood, with the menus and interface feeling reminiscent of Project Cars rather than enhancing the NASCAR experience.

    • “The menus and interface are reminiscent of Project Cars, which I don't mind, but they don't quite capture the mood of the NASCAR atmosphere.”
    • “There's still a lack of race day atmosphere, such as announcers and iconic phrases like 'Drivers, start your engines.'”
    • “The menus and interface are pretty much the same as Project Cars, which I don't mind, but they definitely don't capture the mood of the NASCAR atmosphere.”
    • “There is still no race day atmosphere, like announcers or the iconic 'Drivers, start your engines' call, which is a minor disappointment.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Users express a sense of frustration and confusion regarding the game's mechanics, which can lead to unexpected emotional responses, such as disappointment when experiencing technical issues like burning out the motor. This highlights a disconnect between player expectations and gameplay execution, impacting the overall emotional engagement with the game.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

67% average critic score

Buy NASCAR Heat 4

Play time

25hMedian play time
24hAverage play time
5-48hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 10 analyzed playthroughs

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