Best Need for Speed game for current-gen. The fact that this was the first NFS game to break the annual release did the game wonders, but EA's lack of support left us players wanting more. Microtransactions and the slot machine part upgrade system from Payback are gone. Just good old fashioned win races to earn money to upgrade cars and buy cars.

Heat's biggest gimmick is the Day/Night system. Set in a fictional version of Miami, Florida, the daytime has you compete in street legal (mostly closed circuit, track races) to earn money for upgrading parts and buying new vehicles. Nighttime has you compete in illegal street races (non-closed track like Underground) to earn REP for leveling up and unlocking better car parts. You can switch between day or night at any time (when not in a race) for your enjoyment.

Cops are relentless and can be a real pain if you don't have a well upgraded car. It can be annoying as when you earn REP from races, you must drive to a safehouse at night to "bank" your points. Get busted by the cops and it's all gone.

The day/night system is wrapped around a story centered around street racing and police corruption. It's standard, but quite interesting and has its moments.

Plenty of activities exist from stunt jumps, speed traps, drift trials and time trials to name a few.

Great Need for Speed game, and probably the best of the current-gen bunch, that deserved more recognition, love and attention.