Need for Speed Heat PS4 PlayStation 4

The Need for Speed franchise hasn't had the best time of it this generation, but it sounds like the latest game gets back on the right track. Need for Speed Heat is out today, and the first reviews are coming online. The consensus seems to be that this is head and shoulders above the loot box-driven Payback, but still doesn't quite reach the highs of past entries. Let's take a look at some of the reviews so far.

IGN - 8/10

Need for Speed Heat is a mosaic of existing ideas but it is easily the most impressive Need for Speed game in years.

VG247 - 4/5

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.

GamesRadar+ - 3.5/5

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

USgamer - 3/5

Need for Speed Heat is a conglomeration Need for Speeds past. A little Payback, a little Rivals, a little Hot Pursuit, a little Underground. The result is a good foundation to build upon, but weird AI issues, a lack of variety in events, and some poor tuning in cop chases mean it's not great. Maybe next gen will see Ghost Games bringing a little more real heat.

Eurogamer - No Score

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

Will you be picking up Need for Speed Heat? Drive into the comments below and let us know.