NASCAR Heat 5

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.

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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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

72%

Audience ScoreBased on 4,100 reviews

graphics94 positive mentions

stability40 negative mentions

graphics
179 mentions
53 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are generally well-received, described as nice and realistic, though some players note a "cartoony" aesthetic that may not meet the high standards of contemporary racing titles. While many appreciate the visual details and smooth performance, there are criticisms regarding a lack of significant graphical innovation and some technical limitations, such as a maximum of 60 fps and limited customization options. Overall, the graphics are considered satisfactory for fans of the NASCAR series, but they may not impress those seeking cutting-edge visuals.
- “I like this NASCAR Heat 5, the graphics are awesome, and the racing feels so real.”
- “Graphics are unreal and it runs so well.”
- “Nascar Heat 5 is without a doubt, a great game, with the best graphics we've seen in a long time, as well as good camera angles.”
- “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 360/PS3 game.”
gameplay
95 mentions
33 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "NASCAR Heat 5" is generally regarded as fun and engaging, with solid driving mechanics that appeal to both casual players and racing enthusiasts. While some players appreciate the detailed car setup and graphics, others criticize the lack of depth in career mode and the AI's performance. Overall, the game offers a satisfying racing experience, though it may not meet the expectations of those seeking a more simulation-focused title.
- “The gameplay itself is where 'NASCAR Heat 5' truly shines.”
- “Amazing gameplay, graphics top-notch.”
- “The gameplay is incredible.”
- “Every difficulty setting feels the exact same; triple-A graphics but low-tier indie gameplay.”
- “Heat 5 has stripped even the most basic of features from itself; it is barely a shell of a title that has less mechanics and features than Heat 4.”
- “I've seen free-to-play mobile games with more simulation and better gameplay than this game could ever imagine.”
music
50 mentions
30 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
18 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players enjoying the catchy background tracks and the nostalgic rock soundtrack, while others criticize it for being too loud, repetitive, and lacking variety, with only a few songs available. Many users express frustration over the inability to customize audio settings or skip tracks, which detracts from the overall experience. Despite these issues, some players find the music enhances the racing atmosphere, contributing to a fun and engaging vibe.
- “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 soundtrack is annoying and only has like 4 songs.”
- “However, the lack of updates (we're in the next gen cars now) and the shitty music does prevent me from putting down a 5 star review.”
- “Physics are a little weird and unpredictable, very buffed AI cars, not to mention the awful soundtracks (miss you, Thunder 2004).”
stability
42 mentions
5 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
95 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and crashes, particularly in career mode. While some users noted that the game runs well on certain systems and lacks the severe audio/visual issues of previous installments, the overall consensus is that it feels unfinished and requires significant patches to improve stability. Despite these issues, a few players still found enjoyment in the game, suggesting that it may improve over time.
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “Edit: After playing for a while longer, it seems like this game isn't even finished. It's very buggy and I don't understand why they released it so early this year.”
story
26 mentions
15 % positive mentions
69 % neutral mentions
15 % negative mentions
The game's story aspect is largely criticized, with many users noting a complete lack of depth and narrative, particularly in the career mode, which feels repetitive and uninspired. While some mention that individual teams have backstories, the overall consensus is that the game fails to deliver a compelling or engaging story, especially when compared to older titles in the genre.
- “Good game if you like NASCAR style racing; probably the best story out of most NASCAR games.”
- “They have upgraded the graphics; it runs smooth, and each team has a story about where they came from and 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”
optimization
16 mentions
25 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
38 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with players reporting significant loading times and crashes when accessing the options menu, even on high-end PCs. While some improvements in stuttering and force feedback for wheel users have been noted, overall performance remains subpar, leading many to label it as one of the worst optimized racing games they have encountered.
- “Good GPU and CPU optimization.”
- “The game could be really good, but performance is subpar to say the least.”
- “It isn't well optimized for PC either, so there's that.”
- “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: 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.”
grinding
12 mentions
17 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players noting that it can be excessively time-consuming, often requiring a significant investment of time to achieve progress. While some indicate that grinding isn't necessary for advancement, others emphasize that it can feel tedious and overwhelming, suggesting that players may need "a second life" to fully engage with it.
- “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.”
monetization
7 mentions
0 % positive mentions
14 % neutral mentions
86 % negative mentions
The monetization in this game has been widely criticized, with players expressing frustration over the heavy reliance on microtransactions and the necessity of expensive equipment to compete effectively. Many feel that the game is designed to push players towards purchasing additional content, making it feel more like a cash grab than a fair racing experience. Additionally, the lack of transparency regarding refund policies has left users feeling cheated and dissatisfied.
- “It's awful, terrible. 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 incredibly 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.”
- “Dead once they released all the microtransactions they could muster.”
- “And while you're on your way to do that, look at these ads for a wheel-controller and accessories.”
humor
6 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by the entertaining rivalry system, where players can create enemies that "fake tweet" humorous insults based on their in-game actions, adding a lighthearted touch to the competitive experience. Additionally, the overall reception of the game, particularly on Xbox, is noted for its lack of positive feedback, which some players find amusing in itself.
- “I really enjoyed the rivalry system put in, 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 I looked at reviews on the 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.”
atmosphere
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised, with players highlighting its immersive and engaging environment. However, there are some concerns regarding the physics that need to be addressed by the developers.
- “Great game, great game conditions, great game atmosphere.”
emotional
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a sense of frustration and helplessness, as players feel constrained by mechanics that hinder their progress, akin to having the brakes engaged without their input. This evokes a strong emotional response, highlighting the disconnect between player intention and game mechanics.
character development
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
150 % negative mentions
Character development in the game appears to be lacking, with users noting a limited variety in character designs and interactions, such as the greeting character and career options. Overall, the feedback suggests that the game does not offer significant depth or diversity in character progression or customization.
- “The character designs in the career mode feel generic and lack depth, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
- “There is a noticeable absence of meaningful character development, which leaves the story feeling flat and unengaging.”
- “The characters seem one-dimensional, and their arcs do not evolve throughout the game, resulting in a lack of emotional investment.”
replayability
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players express uncertainty about the game's replayability, noting that their experience is still in the early stages of the first season. However, they find the game worthwhile, especially when purchased on sale.
- “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.”