Although there are many who are growing tired of 80s aesthetics and soundtracks, this writer certainly isn't, so it's exciting to see that the next Need for Speed game will draw heavily from 80s inspired games like GTA Vice City in creating its new world with new cars to race through it. Taking the series back to its Hot Pursuit-roots, NFS Heat will bring speed, customization, and crashes back to consoles and PCs later this year.
The neon city nights are just one part of Need for Speed Heat, though. There's an expanded story mode, tonnes of new and old cars, an upgraded engine for prettier races, crashes, and chases, and, most mercifully, an easing back on EA's love of microtransactions. Instead of loot boxes and pushing the player to spend more money on the game, all content will be unlockable with progression in game.
It's not clear yet how the "Rep" system will be implemented in game, but it may be that it provides some measure of fast track to unlocking new content. We have our fingers crossed it won't be, but we're not sold just yet.
Need for Speed Heat will makes its debut on Origin Access on November 5 for those who pre-order (please don't, let EA earn your money) and everyone else just a few days later on November 8.
