History YMMV / NeedForSpeedHeat

** With the Wrap Editor having endless potential in terms of wraps, some have gone out of their way to recreate the most iconic paint jobs either within the ''VideoGame/NeedForSpeed'' series itself (e.g., Razor's Ford Mustang GT, Cross' Corvette, Kenji's RX-7, etc.), some from ''Film/TheFastAndTheFurious'' ([[Film/TwoFastTwoFurious Bryan's Skyline]], [[Film/TheFastAndTheFuriousTokyoDrift Han's Veilside RX-7]], [[Film/TheFastAndTheFurious2001 Brian's Supra]], etc.)... and then there's ''[[https://youtu.be/dUYz1mAGYx0 these]]''.

** With the Wrap Editor having endless potential in terms of wraps, some have gone out of their way to recreate the most iconic paint jobs either within the ''Franchise/NeedForSpeed'' series itself (e.g., Razor's Ford Mustang GT, Cross' Corvette, Kenji's RX-7, etc.), some from ''Film/TheFastAndTheFurious'' ([[Film/TwoFastTwoFurious Bryan's Skyline]], [[Film/TheFastAndTheFuriousTokyoDrift Han's Veilside RX-7]], [[Film/TheFastAndTheFurious2001 Brian's Supra]], etc.)... and then there's ''[[https://youtu.be/hj0-VNGZXtI these]]''.

** With the Wrap Editor having endless potential in terms of wraps, some have gone out of their way to recreate the most iconic paint jobs either within the ''Franchise/NeedForSpeed'' series itself (e.g., Razor's Ford Mustang GT, Cross' Corvette, Kenji's RX-7, etc.), some from ''Franchise/TheFastAndTheFurious'' ([[Film/2Fast2Furious Bryan's Skyline]], [[Film/TheFastAndTheFuriousTokyoDrift Han's Veilside RX-7]], [[Film/TheFastAndTheFurious Brian's Supra]], etc.)... and then there's ''[[https://youtu.be/hj0-VNGZXtI these]]''.

** The Speed Cards and {{loot box}}es which received criticism from critics and fans alike are officially scrapped, meaning you can finally purchase performance parts (and vanity items) using in-game cash, just like in the 2015 reboot. Though the '''only''' microtransaction aspect left (excluding Black Market car pack [=DLCs=]) is the "Keys to the Map" DLC, which reveals all the activities and collectibles scattered around Palm City.

* SugarWiki/FunnyMoments: Visit the garage after the mission "Got Your Back" where [[spoiler:Ana goes racing with her father's Camaro and it gets smashed up by Shaw]] and...
-->'''Lucas:''' You know? Ever since [[spoiler:Ana smashed up Papi's car]], [[ComicallyMissingThePoint the radio works perfectly]].

** The Speed Cards and {{loot box}}es which received criticism from critics and fans alike are officially scrapped, meaning you can finally purchase performance parts (and vanity items) using in-game cash, just like in the 2015 reboot. Though the '''only''' microtransaction aspect left (excluding Black Market car pack [=DLCs=]) is the "Keys to the Map" DLC, which reveals all the activities and collectibles scattered around Palm City.

* SugarWiki/FunnyMoments: Visit the garage after the mission "Got Your Back" where [[spoiler:Ana goes racing with her father's Camaro and it gets smashed up by Shaw]] and...
-->'''Lucas:''' You know? Ever since [[spoiler:Ana smashed up Papi's car]], [[ComicallyMissingThePoint the radio works perfectly]].

*** Speaking of Driving Stories, the Black Market update helps extend the storyline with two additional side missions.

*** Another for the F1 requires you to get a 2 star in a specified Drift Zone '''without hitting any objects or vehicle'''. The F1 isn't drift-capable, even if you use Showcare or Speedcross setup and hitting anything mentioned would automatically fail the challenge forcing you to restart it.

*** The [=DB11=] has 5 crates at the Containers area at Port Murphy. Like hunting for activities and collectibles that are hidden throughout the map, this is more of the same, however there are no indicators other than the icons in the map to detect if a crate is nearby.

*** The F1 on the other hand is far worse. You now have to collect '''20 crates'''. One is from the "Abandoned Mall" in Edgewood Valley, and another from the "Launch Pad" area in Cape Castille. But fortunately, both areas have 15 crates each so there is not much tedium to at least hunt all of the crates per area.

** With the storylines of both the 2015 reboot and ''Payback'' being too short, ''Heat'' expands to side missions called Driving Stories, sImilar to the Factory Driver side-missions in ''Porsche Unleashed''.

* ComplacentGamingSyndrome: Majority of ''Heat'' players spend more time on bright daylight over the nighttime, for myriad of reasons. In particular, Bank money earned during the daytime can be used to buy vehicle parts, while the Rep points earned during nighttime can be used solely as ExperiencePoints; once you hit a Rep level of 50, the only reason to keep racing in the night is to [[NintendoHard farm Ultimate parts via High Heat Races]].

** Go ahead. Play any time trial events. Many of them are impossibly narrow and full of extremely tight turns. The notorious "Train Rail" has seen more salt from players.
** The "SWAY" night race during the Black Market's Aston Martin Volante questline. It requires you to smash at least 3 billboards during a race and win in order to progress. At its worst, you need to be accurate with the ramp and the speed in order to to smash each of the billboard. There are 5 throughout the race and because it's dark, it's hard to see any ramps and the only indications of nearby billboards is with the aid of an icon on top of each of them, which are not on the map during the race.

* GameBreaker: The Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 2.8 '73 once again retains its status as the fastest car '''period''' in the series for the third game in a row, since the 2015 reboot. It retains [[MasterOfAll all of the characteristics]] that made it an OP in the first place, but was also '''buffed''' in ''Heat'' in addition to this. The only cars that can genuinely challenge it are the [=F40=], [[BribingYourWayToVictory McLaren F1]], 488 Pista, FXX K Evoluzione, Huayra BC, and 2017 Ford GT. However, not only is the RSR cheaper than any of the other cars mentioned, [[note]] it doesn't even cost 100 000 bank to obtain[[/note]] it is also unlocked earlier [[note]] as early as Rep Level 16 [[/note]], making it very easily obtained for its power level.

** The Speed Cards and [[LootBox loot boxes]] which received criticism from critics and fans alike are officially scrapped, meaning you can finally purchase performance parts (and vanity items) using in-game cash, just like in the 2015 reboot. Though the '''only''' microtransaction aspect left (excluding Black Market car pack [=DLCs=]) is the "Keys to the Map" DLC, which reveals all the activities and collectibles scattered around Palm City.
** The arbitrary power cap for cars in ''Payback'' severely limited the potential on some cars , making them ill-advised for use. ''Heat'' ditches this in favor of the new Engine Swap mechanic (itself returns from ''Shift 2: Unleashed''), thus arguably leveling the playing field.

** With the storylines of both the 2015 reboot and ''Payback'' being too short, ''Heat'' expands to side missions called "Driving Stories".

** The "SWAY" night race during the Black Market side story. It requires you to smash at least 3 billboards during a race and win in order to progress. At its worst, you need to be accurate with the ramp and the speed in order to to smash each of the billboard. There are 5 throughout the race and because it's dark, it's hard to see any ramps and the only indications of nearby billboards is with the aid of an icon on top of each of them, which are not on the map during the race.

* ComplacentGamingSyndrome: Majority of ''Heat'' players spend more time on bright daylight over the nighttime, for myriad of reasons. In particular, Bank money earned during the daytime can be used to buy vehicle parts, while the Rep points earned during nighttime can be used solely as ExperiencePoints; once you hit a Rep level of 50, the only reason to keep racing in the night is to farm Ultimate parts.

*** In return, as long as you return to the safehouse, completing them will unlock you Ultimate and Ultimate+ parts in random order, which will be purchasable for all cars [[note]] Ultimate and Ultimate+ parts are only available when you're at REP level 50. Also you just to come in third place to obtain these items.[[/note]]

** The police in both the 2015 reboot and ''[[VideoGame/NeedForSpeedPayback Payback]]'' received some backlash, the former being way too easy to outrun and the latter for being too linear, scripted and only strictly available in stories, bait crates and abandoned car missions. The cops in ''Heat'' has been clearly revised to what the franchise is really known for which are pursuits being available at any means such as during races, free roam, having high-end units chasing your ass, utilizing roadblocks, spike strips and police helicopter in wherever you go.

* ItsShortSoItSucks: Subverted. While the campaign is very short (requiring as little as 3-4 hours to complete) and the Driving Stories don't really add much to the story part of the game, this is only a minor mark against ''Heat'', which is widely seen as a massive improvement over ''Payback'' and the 2015 reboot. At least the Black Market update adds two side stories that adds the duration of the story.

*** In return, as long as you return to the safehouse, completing them will unlock you Ultimate and Ultimate+ parts in random order, which will be purchasable for all cars [[note]] Ultimate and Ultimate+ parts are only available when you're at REP level 50.[[/note]]

** Speaking of Black Market [=DLCs=], the return of [=McLaren=] F1, while can be [[BribingYourWayToVictory unlocked via real-money purchase]], is an awesome moment for some fans. Not to mention it's also one of the GameBreaker cars in the series.

* ComplacentGamingSyndrome: Majority of ''Heat'' players spend more time on bright daylight over the nighttime, for myriad of reasons. In particular, Bank money earned during the daytime can be used to buy vehicle parts, while the Rep points earned during nighttime can be used solely as ExperiencePoints.

** Speaking of Black Market [=DLCs=], the return of McLaren F1, while can be [[BribingYourWayToVictory unlocked via real-money purchase]], is an awesome moment for some fans. Not to mention it's also one of the GameBreaker cars in the series.

* SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome: The iconic [[VideoGame/NeedForSpeedMostWanted BMW M3 GTR]] that appeared in many ''Need for Speed'' games, surprisingly becomes part of the main plot since ''Carbon''.

* ComplacentGamingSyndrom: Majority of ''Heat'' players spend more time on bright daylight over the nighttime, for myriad of reasons. In particular, Bank money earned during the daytime can be used to buy vehicle parts, while the Rep points earned during nighttime can be used solely as ExperiencePoints.

*** In return, as long as you return to the safehouse, completing them will unlock you Ultimate and Ultimate+ parts which will be purchasable for all cars [[note]] Ultimate and Ultimate+ parts are only available when you're at REP level 50.[[/note]]

** High Heat Events are races that require you to be at a certain heat level (Heat 3 or Heat 5) before being permitted to enter. Reaching it can be difficult since you have to deal with escaping and limited repairs, plus the increasingly heavier police response. They cannot be restarted and has a recommended performance rating as your current car, making these unique events a challenge. In return, as long as you return to the safehouse, completing them will unlock you Ultimate and Ultimate+ parts which will be purchasable for all cars [[note]] Ultimate and Ultimate+ parts are only available when your at level 50.[[/note]]

** The Speed Cards and [[LootBox loot boxes]] which received criticism from critics and fans alike are scrapped, meaning you can finally purchase performance parts (and vanity items) using in-game cash, just like in the 2015 reboot. Though the '''only''' microtransaction aspect left (excluding Black Market car pack [=DLCs=]) is just for revealing all the collectibles scattered around in Palm City.

** The police in both the 2015 reboot and ''[[VideoGame/NeedForSpeedPayback Payback]]'' received some backlash, the former being way too easy to outrun and the latter for being too linear, scripted and only strictly available in stories, bait crates and abandoned car missions. The cops in ''Heat'' is a welcoming throwback, an evolutionary step-up, and utilizes a full pursuit system the franchise is well-known for, enforcing you to forge your own strategies to escape.

** High Heat Events are races that require you to be at a certain heat level (Heat 3 or Heat 5) before being permitted to enter. Reaching it can be difficult since you have to deal with escaping and limited repairs, plus the increasingly heavier police response. They cannot be restarted, has a recommended performance rating as your current car and you must be at least level 50 to enter. In return, as long as you return to the safehouse, completing them will unlock you Ultimate and Ultimate+ parts which will be purchasable for all cars.

** [[TakeThat pfft nerds]][[note]]The NFS Twitter account's reply to a poorly worded tweet by Toyota UK which explained the brand's absence from ''Heat''. Toyota's tweet has since been deleted from the backlash that ensued, particularly because when one looked up the list of current active series that have Toyota/Lexus vehicles in them, four of them (VideoGame/InitialDArcadeStage, [[VideoGame/WanganMidnight Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune]], the recent update for [[VideoGame/{{Forza}} Forza Horizon 4]], and the upcoming [[Film/FastAndFurious9 Fast & Furious]] film) [[{{Irony}} involve illegal street racing]], which ran counter to what was asserted in the tweet, that Toyota "does not want to be associated with street racing". Recently, Toyota only allows Japanese game developers to feature the said manufacturer's cars, much as how Porsche did when Electronic Arts started their exclusive license from 2000 to 2016. [[/note]]

** The Speed Cards and [[LootBox loot boxes]] which received criticism from critics and fans alike are scrapped, meaning you can finally purchase performance parts (and vanity items) using in-game cash, just like in the 2015 reboot. Though the '''only''' microtransaction aspect left is just for revealing all the collectibles scattered around in Palm City.

** The Speed Cards and [[LootBox loot boxes]] which received criticism from critics and fans alike are scrapped, in favor of a return to the standard performance parts system, just like in the 2015 reboot. Though the '''only''' microtransaction aspect left is just for revealing all the collectibles scattered around in Palm City.

-->'''Lucas:''' You know? Ever since [[spoiler:Ana smashed up Papi's car]], the radio works perfectly.

* ItsShortSoItSucks: Subverted. While the campaign is very short (requiring as little as 3-4 hours to complete) and the Driving Stories don't really add much to the story part of the game, this is only a minor mark against ''Heat'', which is widely seen as a massive improvement over ''Payback'' and the 2015 reboot. The Black Market update adds two side stories that adds the duration of the story.

** High Heat Events are races that require you to be at a certain heat level (Heat 3 or Heat 5) before being permitted to enter. Reaching it can be difficult since you have to deal with escaping and limited repairs, plus the increasingly heavier police response. [[DifficultButAwesome However, completing those will give you Ultimate and Ultimate+ parts.]] [[spoiler: But not until you escape the cops and return to the safehouse or garage safely.]] [[spoiler: Not to mention, the recommended car rating is the same as your car's current rating. Oh, and you cannot restart the race whenever you screw up, which means you have one shot to win this race. Also, unlocking Ultimate and Ultimate+ parts require you to be level 50.]]
** The "Train Rail" time trial. The track has your car on top of a monorail. Because the width is narrow, even a slight turn can easily cause your car to fall down from the track. Fortunately, you respawn back on the monorail, but you are losing time from that fall. At least you don't have to restart the race in frustration.