Since the game’s reveal, Need For Speed Heat has appeared to drive at a back-to-basics approach for the new installment, with developer Ghost Games ditching loot boxes in favor of a streamlined focus on car and driver customization, underground street racing, and intense police pursuits of the series’ past. However, has the game’s lane-change been enough to win over critics? By the looks of reviews, NFS Heat’s customization and racing/chasing focus have largely set the franchise back on track, though its uneven delivery may not be enough for some players expecting much more than a stock package.

GamesRadar+ – 70/100

“Great modding and a decent game engine can’t disguise the tired story and simplistic driving.”

Eurogamer – “Satisfying”

“Ghost Games strips back the recent excess to deliver a simple, satisfying take on the Need for Speed formula, even if some problems persist.”

IGN – 80/100

“While Need for Speed Heat feels a little more like a mosaic of existing concepts rather than something especially trendsetting, Ghost has certainly scraped these ideas from some of the most-loved games in the now 25-year-old series. Heat doesn’t always sizzle but it’s definitely much hotter than I’d expected. This is easily the most impressive Need for Speed game in many years.”

Polygon – “Limited”

“Need for Speed Heat seems limited, reminding me of all the things that made it distinct, but still hedging against them in case I don’t find them enjoyable. I’m confused about what would have made this game better, but the series seems just as confused about what it wants to be.”

VG247 – 80/100

“For the first time in years, Need For Speed has remembered why people used to play it so religiously, and recognised the more recent elements that put them off. I’ll take a missed checkpoint or a dodgy police bust now and again in exchange for a return to Underground’s unlock structure and tuner fetishism; for Hot Pursuit’s high stakes chases; for an EA release in 2019 without an RNG element designed to slow progress.”

Need For Speed Heat is out now for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. What do you think? Are you excited to get your hands on the latest NFS game? What are your impressions of the high-octane title so far? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to follow Don’t Feed the Gamers on Twitter and Facebook to be informed of the latest gaming and entertainment news as soon as it goes live!