COMPONENTS - The cars, boards, and chunky tokens are all lovely. My one complaint is the cards... they are textured to the point of being difficult to mix and shuffle. I suggest sleeving. 0:00 - Introduction 0:31 - Track Variety 1:12 - Modular Options 2:09 - Stress and Heat 3:07 - AI Racers 4:06 - Card Movement 4:53 - Final Thoughts
Great review, despite having to also sleeve all the cards for the same reason. Overall this is one of my favourite games I’ve played in a long time and easily my favourite racing time. The solo/Legends made is outstanding!
I think maybe the next (best) move is an expansion that replaces the current weather module with an advanced one that affects the whole board. If it's raining I want to see the car slipping and moving unpredictably : )
I've been interested in car racing games "for decades" and have a large collection around Forumla De. However, as you say, the central card control mechanic of Heat - and the simple yet brilliant way the Heat cards let you "push" your car make this game much more satisfying. Given that working through corner areas is a lot more "work" as you try to go fast - but not too fast - doing a "Monte Carlo" style course in an expansion would be tricky as those corners are a grind. In this regard, my favorite track of the original 4 is Italy, as it has a "straightaway" of about 36 spaces that just lets you play all your highest speed cards, which is really fun. - Also, another strength of the game are the special rules for the last place cars, allowing them a tiny bit of catchup to try to fight their way back into the race. Also - the art is great. Final word: my better half doesn't really like racing games - but she likes Heat!
Maybe a weather dice can be added to the expansion and it gets rolled each lap . Pole position on kick starter as we speak has a pretty substantial weather system
Ever since watching your solo playthrough I’ve been keeping an eye out for this. Glad to hear you give it an overall thumbs up with some minor caveats. Looks like a lot of fun, even solo. When it comes back in stock at some point, I will certainly add it to our collection
I mostly agree with your review. I'd give the modulars a Pro instead of a Mix though. I get what you are saying about the weather, but I still feel like using the weather tile plus the tokens does make the tracks feel more variable, even if that specific weather effect doesn't necessarily come into play during that race. This is for me the best racing game I've played, especially when it comes to teaching/playing with others. I've already played it with 14 other people and it's been a hit every single time. I'll definitely be purchasing the new tracks as they come out. Also, there are already two fan-made tracks available you can play with.
As always, thank you for your well reasoned and explained points. I am not really a fan of racing games, but the solo mode makes me almost want to get this ... sadly/luckily it does not seem to be available at the moment.
@@OneStopCoopShop thanks for the warning but the dislike comes from the fact that my family which whom I play does not like them (at least everyone except the winner of the race) and solo I won't have that problem. I am bad at games all the time and still enjoy them 😉
I feel like I need to get this because it's racing up your top 10... hopefully the expansions lean more into the modular stuff (player powers!?) but I'll have to see if I can pick up a copy here. Thanks for the excellent review and playthrough, it does look awful slick and and I do love hand management.
Thanks for the review! One of the few that I ultimately disagree with you. After a few games I find it just too random and swingy. If you don't have heat in hand to cool around corners or you're clogged during a straight. If stress really sticks it to you with bad draws. One tiny bit of bad luck on a corner puts you an entire turn behind with the game being too short to balance that out. I thought the modular stuff (particularly garage) was cool, but overall the game just felt very casual to me, which isn't my thing. =-)
I expect and accept a fair amount of swinginess in racing games. All my favorites (formula D, Rallyman, this one) have some level of that. But if that’s not your preference for games, it definitely won’t work for you!
Not a big fan of car racing and a lot of car racing games look more complicated than Heat. So I quite like the look of it Wonder if I would like Flamme Rouge better*. Will have to check the OSCS playlists. In my youth I would dash back home on my bike with an imaginary commentary running through my head. Somehow I always held on to the yellow jersey. My imagination always could outperform my physical prowess! lol Thanks as always for the review Mike! *Edit: Not listed, probably cos it ain't coop! lol There is a solo mode though
I saw Rallyman GT peeking over your shoulder in the video... Are you going to do a comparison video between the two at some point? You made a few veiled hints at a comparison during your playthrough, if I remember.
Formula D and Rallyman, for two examples. There you move through the turns, which are sections unto themselves, can block people by taking all the lanes, that kind of thing
I'm very interested in knowing what you think of Steampunk Rally Fusion. Would you ever do a review on it? I only played it once in multiplayer, but not solo (yet).
I have a copy, and very much enjoy the multiplayer, but haven't tried the solo yet. You reminded me that I should get to that, so I'll add it to the coverage list!
Excellent game. For me though...still the best racing game would be Race! Formula 90. Nothing comes close to it. Yes its more complex (maybe not complex...just too many rules to remember) and yes ill prbly have Heat on the table more often though just becauee how simple it is. Thats true.
I’ve only played flamme rouge a few times, but what I’ve gathered from others is this one is less strategic, more push your luck thrill focused. I enjoy it more, but if you already love Flamme I’m not sure a switch is needed :)
looks good but is not easy to find... how is comparing to Steampunk Rally Fusion? I dont' think I'm a big fan of racing game but I have only Steampunk Rally Fusion
They are VERY different games. Heat is a streamlined racer, while steampunk has engine building and dice placement, a lot more going on. But both great games!
It’s better than Formula D for me at this point, though Formula still has its own unique and fun feel with the varied gear dice. Downforce isn’t a racing game for me, so I wouldn’t compare them. Since you don’t control a single car, it’s more of a betting game
