NASCAR Heat 5

82%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,065 reviews
  • graphics
  • gameplay
  • music
NASCAR Heat 5 Game Cover
If you bought last year’s NASCAR Heat 4, you should probably think long and hard before you lay down the cash for NASCAR Heat 5.
Starting at $1.48Buy now
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"NASCAR Heat 5" is a racing simulation game that brings the thrill of stock car racing to life. Compete in authentic NASCAR races across various tracks, with improved AI and handling for a more realistic experience. The game also features a career mode, online multiplayer, and expanded paint booth customization options for your car.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

82%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,065 reviews
graphics47 positive mentions
stability20 negative mentions
  • The game offers a fun and engaging NASCAR experience, especially for fans of the sport.
  • Graphics and sound design are generally well-received, providing an immersive racing atmosphere.
  • The career mode allows players to progress through different series, adding depth and replayability.
  • Many players feel the game is just a re-skin of NASCAR Heat 4 with minimal improvements, leading to disappointment.
  • The AI behavior can be frustrating, with issues like rubber-banding and unrealistic driving patterns.
  • There are significant bugs and crashes, particularly when accessing settings or during online play, which detracts from the overall experience.
  • graphics90 mentions

    The graphics in the game are generally described as good but not groundbreaking, with a mix of cartoonish aesthetics and realistic elements. While some players appreciate the visual quality and detail, others note that it falls short compared to contemporary racing titles, often feeling like an incremental upgrade rather than a significant improvement. Overall, the graphics are satisfactory for fans of the series, but they may not meet the expectations of those seeking cutting-edge visuals.

    • “I love this game as a NASCAR fan; I love the graphics and movement.”
    • “Graphics are nice, nothing out of this world, but they look nice; however, it has a faint 'cartoony' game look, which is to be expected with most of the newer NASCAR games.”
    • “Graphics are very realistic.”
    • “Before you buy this game, be warned that if you are hoping for good graphics, it isn't that great and it doesn't support 240Hz, so if you can't open settings, that's why.”
    • “The studio has barely even made graphic improvements despite the release of two generations of graphics cards since the first installment.”
    • “On the presentation side of things, the graphics are subpar, looking like a late Xbox 360/PS3 game.”
  • gameplay47 mentions

    The gameplay of "NASCAR Heat 5" is generally regarded as enjoyable and fun, with solid driving mechanics and a detailed car setup that appeals to both casual players and enthusiasts. However, some users criticize the lack of depth in career mode and the AI's performance, while others note that the game feels streamlined compared to previous editions. Overall, while the gameplay is entertaining, it may not meet the expectations of those seeking a more simulation-focused experience.

    • “The gameplay itself is where 'NASCAR Heat 5' truly shines.”
    • “Great gameplay, normal mode is not too easy and not too hard for a novice player like me (in my opinion).”
    • “The driving mechanics are fine, not the most realistic sim by any stretch, but the races are fun and that's what counts.”
    • “Every difficulty setting feels the exact same; triple-A graphics but low-tier indie gameplay.”
    • “Heat 5 has stripped even the most basic features from itself; it is barely a shell of a title that has less mechanics and features than Heat 4.”
    • “The gameplay is standard for a racing game, and while it's not bad, it's not particularly impressive either.”
  • music24 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players enjoying the catchy background tracks and the overall vibe, while others criticize the limited selection and loud main music that overshadows gameplay. Many users express frustration over the inability to skip songs or customize audio settings, leading to a less enjoyable experience. Overall, while the soundtrack has its fans, it appears to lack variety and flexibility, detracting from the game's potential.

    • “The soundtrack is pretty catchy though, and racing with a wheel/pedals brings it to the next level.”
    • “The music is great too, the game is just a good vibe.”
    • “Very challenging but very entertaining because of the racing with good music and good graphics.”
    • “The main music is too loud, and audio settings only take effect once you enter the game.”
    • “The soundtrack is annoying and only has about 4 songs.”
    • “The lack of updates and the poor music prevent me from giving a 5-star review.”
  • stability21 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players noting frequent bugs, glitches, and crashes, particularly in career mode. While some appreciate that it runs well on certain systems and lacks severe audio/visual issues seen in previous titles, the overall consensus is that the game feels unfinished and requires significant patches to improve its stability.

    • “At least this game actually functions and runs great on my laptop, which favors Unity games. So yeah, great game! Pick it up since MSG will pull this game off sale after this year, so buy it.”
    • “It's very buggy and just crashed while playing.”
    • “There are so many visual and audio glitches that seem to be easy fixes that could've been fixed with a couple more weeks of polishing.”
    • “The constant bugs and glitches in career mode make the game unnecessarily frustrating and exhausting to try to work around, on top of that the game seems to crash and freeze up a lot more than 4, hoping these issues are patched soon so it'll be worth playing again.”
  • story13 mentions

    The game's story aspect is largely criticized for its lack of depth, with many users noting that it features no significant narrative or engaging content, making it feel repetitive and uninspired. Some mention that even older games offered more compelling stories, while a few highlight minor team backstories as a positive. Overall, the consensus is that the story is minimal and does not enhance the gaming experience.

    • “Good game if you like NASCAR-style racing; probably the best story out of most NASCAR games.”
    • “They have upgraded the graphics; it runs smoothly, and each team has a story about where they came from and how they started.”
    • “Great game, love the storyline; just a great 10/10.”
    • “Bought this due to some childhood nostalgia and woefully disappointed that 20-year-old games carried more depth of story than this one.”
    • “The career mode is lackluster at best with the sponsor missions becoming repetitive and very easy to achieve once you get into a decent team or have your own well-developed team.”
    • “☑ no story”
  • optimization8 mentions

    The game's optimization has received largely negative feedback, with users reporting long loading times and poor performance even on high-end PCs. While some improvements have been noted in terms of stuttering and wheel feedback, many players still consider it one of the worst-optimized racing games, with frequent crashes when accessing the options menu. Overall, the game's performance issues significantly detract from the experience.

    • “Good GPU and CPU optimization.”
    • “Game could be really good, but performance is subpar to say the least.”
    • “The game isn't optimized, and despite a high-end PC, it still takes about 2 minutes to load a race.”
    • “The game isn't optimized and despite a high-end PC, it still takes about 2 minutes to load a race.”
    • “Worst optimized racing game I have ever played.”
    • “Edit: Ok, and to make matters worse, this game is horribly optimized and whenever I try to get into the options menu, regardless of how I do it, the game will crash.”
  • grinding6 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessive, with some stating that it feels like you'll need a "second life" to manage it. While grinding isn't necessary for progression, it can become tedious and may detract from the overall experience.

    • “Isn't necessary to progress.”
    • “Average grind level.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The game does get tedious if you run, say, Xfinity and Cup as only a driver.”
    • “Too much grind.”
  • monetization4 mentions

    The monetization in this racing game has been heavily criticized for its aggressive microtransaction model, which many players feel is exploitative and detrimental to the overall experience. Users express frustration over the necessity of spending significant amounts of money to remain competitive, with some claiming that the game effectively forces players to invest in expensive equipment to enjoy it fully. Overall, the monetization strategy has led to a negative perception, driving some players away from the game entirely.

    • “Dead once they released all the microtransactions they could muster.”
    • “It's awful, terrible, made me stop interacting with any and all NASCAR media. This game isn't worth the dirt the developers made and got paid. It's by far the worst NASCAR/racing game in the world. What other racing game neuters your car to 40th for daring to need supports to play on controller while leaving everything else the same? Having assists on is essentially the only way to play on controller, and you will never win. The speed difference between you and everyone else would be laughable if it wasn't the most frustrating thing on earth and hella dangerous in real life, all while advertising $750 worth of stuff you'd need to play properly/competitively in every loading screen. You should not need a racing sim setup to jump into an arcade racer and enjoy the game. The fact I can no longer get my money back after learning all this is ridiculous too; it's not told to you as a tooltip until after the refund period unless you search it out yourself. For the price, you could play iRacing's NASCAR stuff and have a better time since it's actually a sim.”
    • “And while you're on your way to do that, look at these ads for a wheel controller and accessories.”
  • humor3 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by its unique rivalry system, where players can create enemies that humorously "fake tweet" insults in response to aggressive gameplay. Additionally, the game's promotional imagery and the overall reception on platforms like Xbox suggest a self-aware comedic tone, even amidst predominantly negative reviews.

    • “I really enjoyed the rivalry system implemented in the game, where you can create enemies that 'fake tweet' mean stuff about you if you drive dirty. I thought that was really funny.”
    • “What I find funny is that I looked at reviews on Xbox about this game and couldn't find one positive feedback.”
    • “Even the NASCAR Heat 5 game picture looks like a guy saying 'got 'em' and laughing.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with players noting its overall quality and immersive conditions. However, there are some concerns regarding the physics that could enhance the experience further.

    • “The atmosphere in this game is absolutely immersive, drawing you into its world with stunning visuals and sound design.”
    • “Every corner of the game is filled with a unique ambiance that enhances the overall experience.”
    • “The game's atmosphere is hauntingly beautiful, creating a perfect backdrop for the unfolding story.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is hindered by a frustrating mechanic where players feel restricted, as if they are unable to fully engage or progress due to unresponsive controls. This can lead to feelings of helplessness and disappointment, detracting from the overall emotional experience.

  • character development1 mentions

    Character development in the game appears to be lacking, with users noting a limited variety in character designs and overall customization options. The focus seems to be more on gameplay mechanics and aesthetics rather than deep or meaningful character progression.

    • “The character development feels shallow and uninspired, lacking any real depth or progression.”
    • “I was hoping for more meaningful choices that would impact my character's growth, but it all feels very linear.”
    • “The characters are one-dimensional and fail to evoke any emotional connection, making it hard to care about their journeys.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Users express uncertainty about the game's replayability, noting that their experience is still in the early stages. However, they suggest that it may be worthwhile to purchase on sale, indicating potential for enjoyment despite concerns about long-term engagement.

    • “I can't see how much replayability there is or how boring it will get yet, as I'm still in my first dirt and truck season, but overall it's worthwhile on sale in my opinion.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

64% average critic score

Buy NASCAR Heat 5

Play time

60hMedian play time
77hAverage play time
13-150hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 10 analyzed playthroughs

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