NASCAR isn't really first when it comes to making video game hits but developers are still challenged to make it such. So far, it hasn't worked yet but NASCAR Heat Evolution should bring a bit of sunshine to raise hopes. Dusenberry Martin Racing and Monster Games have just launched NASCAR Heat Evolution, like a plethora of NASCAR games before it and it seems that it still did things wrong.
As reviewed by NY Daily News, it's a basic title that lacks diversity, often seems like a game from the previous console generation. But despite that, on the track, Heat Evolution gains the part. For all of its bits and pieces of flaws that add up to a major one, it gives you a feeling like NASCAR racing should, captivating the subtlety that makes the endless trip around a big oval fun and also dramatic.
NASCAR-based games have long been tough to market, with just an oval track and basic racing schemes. Indeed, it's fun to watch on TV as an actual sport, also it's fun to watch those teams replace tires or fix something with high coordination and accuracy. But when it's time for you to simulate what the driver is doing, it becomes boring with the repetitive loops and pit stops and you'd decide you might as well play Forza or something similar.
NASCAR Heat Evolution implements racing with good quality, allowing drafting factor and adding the subtle 'pull' toward the outer tracks. The game isn't meant to be an in-depth simulation racer; it avoids overpowering depth and racing tone to deliver a handy version of racing, forcing you to pay attention to basics such as turning at the right moment and drafting.
In Career Mode, you'll need to finish the early tracks, in a hope to finish within the top 10. Also, when you are racing, you can appreciate the cars in close attention; for instance, Chase Elliott's No. 24 vehicle just looks as it should.
What is it lacking then?
In-race sounds fail to capture what is really in tune for NASCAR, due to a focus on audio a racer would be hearing, the commentaries that we hear on TV will not be heard, a good concept for simulation but a bad one for spectators' point-of-hearing. Even if this is becoming normal to other racing games, NASCAR should have taken the opportunity to let the players hear the commentaries as it has made the actual race exciting to compliment the blandness of its oval track - in a non-NASCAR fan's point of view of course.
In summary, NASCAR Heat Evolution is very appealing to NASCAR fans but not really for those people whom you want to introduce the motorsport to. Below is a footage of the game played on PS4.
