NASCAR Heat 4 is a racing video game simulating the 2019 NASCAR season. It was developed by Monster Games and was published by 704Games on September 13, 2019 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Microsoft Windows via Steam. Kevin Harvick is the cover athlete (for the first time since NASCAR 2005: Chase for the Cup) for the regular release of the game along with Tony Stewart, and Jeff Gordon is on the cover of the Gold Edition.[1]
| NASCAR Heat 4 | |
|---|---|
 Cover art featuring Kevin Harvick and Tony Stewart | |
| Developer(s) | Monster Games |
| Publisher(s) | 704Games |
| Series | NASCAR Heat |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows PlayStation 4 Xbox One |
| Release | September 13, 2019 |
| Genre(s) | Racing |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Gameplay
editThe Xtreme Dirt Tour returned to the game, and Tony Stewart is a driver and team owner in the series.[2] Players in career mode for the first time can start in any of the four series (NASCAR Cup, Xfinity, Trucks, and Xtreme Dirt).[3] Additional updates to the game included different tire compounds for different track types[4] and a track map.[1] Also, custom cars now have an open number choice from 0-99 (including 00-09) for both quick race and career mode.
Downloadable content
editPaid downloadable content packages are available.[1] The downloadable content for pre-ordering is the ability to race Martinsville Speedway at night.[1] Although later on in 2019, the Martinsville night race would be a playable option in the game without the need for a download.
Soundtrack
edit| Song | Artist |
|---|---|
| Breaking Even | Inner Image |
| Endless Sky | Wild Adriatic |
| Fake It | Steve Everett |
| Feel That Way | Wild Adriatic |
| Long Time Ago | Simplified |
| Queen & King of Smaller Things | Andrew Leahey |
| Say The Word | Fire Fences |
| Take Control | Fire Fences |
| The Architect | Mile Marker Zero |
| The Lion and The Liar | American Theory |
| Tunnel Vision | Fusebox Poet |
Reception
edit| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | (PS4) 70/100[5] (XONE) 74/100[6] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Game Informer | 7.25/10[7] |
| Hardcore Gamer | 4.5/5[8] |
NASCAR Heat 4 received "mixed or average" reviews according to review aggregator Metacritic.
Matthew Kato of Game Informer called this iteration of NASCAR Heat the strongest, noting that its flaws made it more admirable than excellent. The online mode and AI were also criticized for being subpar and the career mode was deemed adequate.[9]
Accolades
editThe game was nominated for "Game, Franchise Racing" at the NAVGTR Awards.[10]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Torres, Luis (July 6, 2019). "Harvick, Stewart and Gordon Represent NASCAR Heat 4 Cover". Motorsports Tribune. Archived from the original on July 7, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
- ^ Southers, Tim (July 6, 2019). "Kevin Harvick and Tony Stewart kick off launch of NASCAR Heat 4". Motorsport. Archived from the original on July 6, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
- ^ NASCAR staff (July 6, 2019). "Kevin Harvick, Tony Stewart grace cover of NASCAR Heat 4". NASCAR. Archived from the original on July 7, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
- ^ Good, Owen S. (July 6, 2019). "NASCAR Heat 4 returns to answer more fans' requests in September". Polygon. Archived from the original on July 7, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
- ^ "NASCAR Heat 4 for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on February 16, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
- ^ "NASCAR Heat 4 for Xbox One Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on February 16, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
- ^ Kato, Matthew (10 September 2019). "NASCAR Heat 4 Review – Pit Stop Adjustments". Game Informer. Archived from the original on September 16, 2019. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
- ^ Wells, Cory (15 September 2019). "Review: NASCAR Heat 4". Hardcore Gamer. Archived from the original on 16 February 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
- ^ Kato, Matthew. "NASCAR Heat 4 Review - NASCAR Heat 4 Review – Pit Stop Adjustments". Game Informer. Archived from the original on September 16, 2019. Retrieved 2022-02-15.
- ^ "2019 Nominees". National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers. January 13, 2020. Archived from the original on January 27, 2020. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
