NASCAR Heat Evolution

+4

53%

Audience ScoreBased on 504 reviews

graphics46 positive mentions

music3 negative mentions

The AI is competitive and provides a fun racing experience.
The game is enjoyable for casual players and NASCAR fans, offering a nostalgic arcade-style feel.
The graphics, while not perfect, are decent and the game runs smoothly on capable hardware.

The game suffers from numerous bugs and performance issues, including lag and crashes.
Physics and handling are unrealistic, making the cars feel floaty and unresponsive.
There is a lack of features such as keyboard support, customization options, and a proper damage model.

graphics
99 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
31%
22%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many players criticizing them as outdated and reminiscent of earlier console generations, such as the PS2 and PS3. While some users appreciate the vibrant colors and decent performance on high settings, others find the visuals lacking in realism and detail, often describing them as cartoonish or glitchy. Overall, there is a consensus that the graphics need significant improvement to meet modern gaming standards.
- “The graphics are good and the cars are extremely accurate.”
- “The graphics went for a very engaging, bright array of colors.”
- “Other than that, the graphics are great (running dual GTX 970 SLI) and it runs smoothly at 60+ fps.”
- “The graphics are cartoonish, the smoke is a joke!”
- “There are so many poor processing tricks that the graphics look trashy even on my GTX 1080 - at 140fps (at 2715*1527) it has massive jaggies!”
- “Visuals aren’t acceptable on PS4 level tech, or even PS3 tech.”
gameplay
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
67%
15%
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its competitive online features and solid mechanics, while others criticize it for being generic, unrealistic, and lacking in AI intelligence. Many users noted that it feels like a port of previous titles, leading to a sense of disappointment, especially for those seeking a more immersive NASCAR simulation experience. Overall, the gameplay is seen as a significant factor in the game's reception, with some enjoying it and others finding it lacking.
- “Fantastic gameplay, competitive and semi-civil online, and overall my favorite NASCAR game since Chase for the Cup 2005.”
- “The on-track gameplay makes it easy to ignore some of the negatives about the game.”
- “[Great race mechanics, realistic on-track graphics, fast-paced gameplay, customizable difficulty feels balanced].”
- “The core gameplay builds on the base of Heat 2002, and by 'builds on' I mean 'pretty much exactly ports.'”
- “However, it was not rewarding, as the graphics were mediocre, the gameplay was generic, and the AI is beyond stupid.”
- “The gameplay was just complete junk, and in my opinion, I would say this is one of the worst NASCAR games made.”
music
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
44%
33%
The music in the game is described as high-fidelity and catchy, though some users suspect it may be licensed rather than original. While the limited settings only allow for adjustments to music and sound effects, many players enjoy the music, suggesting it enhances the gaming experience. However, there are mixed opinions, with some criticizing the music as terrible and indicative of the game's overall low quality.
- “Oh, and I love the music!”
- “- Start the music right after you cross the finish line in a race, and not after the points standings (in career mode).”
- “The settings/options for the game are rather lacking; you can only change music and sound effects.”
- “The music is high-fidelity and very catchy, though I have a sneaking suspicion it didn't come from an in-house team, instead being licensed from one of those royalty-free sound places.”
- “[Some sub-PS3 visuals on display here betray how cheaply made and pandering this game is. Terrible music and the few options on display here are all basically identical.]”
optimization
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews; while some users report smooth performance at 60+ fps on high-end setups, others criticize it as an unfinished and unoptimized port. Overall, there are indications that further performance updates may be needed to enhance the experience.
- “Other than that, the graphics are great (running dual GTX 970 SLI) and it runs smoothly at 60+ fps.”
- “Pretty optimized”
humor
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as delightfully terrible, akin to the amusing misfortunes of a toddler, making it enjoyable despite its flaws. Players find it both fun and funny, suggesting that the comedic elements enhance the overall experience, even if the game itself is not well-made.
- “This game is absolutely terrible, but it's the funny type of terrible, like watching a toddler fall over. It's bad that it happened, but it's funny, and you'd gladly watch it again if you had the opportunity.”
- “It's kind of funny.”
- “It's so, so, so, so, so fun and funny.”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews on stability are mixed; while some users report experiencing numerous bugs and issues, others have enjoyed a smooth experience without any glitches or crashes over several months of gameplay.
- “This game is a buggy mess.”
- “This game is a buggy mess.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is heightened by the sensitivity of the cars in sim mode, where even minor mistakes can lead to dramatic crashes, creating a sense of tension and urgency for players. This intense experience can evoke feelings of frustration and adrenaline, as players navigate the fine line between control and disaster.
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The adaptive AI enhances the game's replayability by providing varied experiences, though it can sometimes lead to frustrating moments for players.
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The atmosphere of the game has been criticized for lacking depth, making it difficult for players to fully immerse themselves in the experience. Many users feel it falls short compared to other titles in the genre.
- “It doesn't have the atmosphere of those games, though; as hard as you try, you just can't seem to fully absorb yourself in the experience.”