Need for Speed Heat’s first gameplay trailer, which debuted Monday during Gamescom Opening Night Live, offers a look at all the different ways that racers will be able to improve their reputation on the streets as they attempt to fend off the cops.
Heat, the first entry in the long-running racing franchise since 2017’s Need for Speed Payback, is being developed by Ghost Games. Taking place in the fictional town of Palm City, which appears to be an analog for Miami, Heat focuses on giving you the opportunity to drive around during the day and the night — with different styles of racing available at each time.
When the sun is out, sanctioned races will take place in a competition known as Speedhunters Showdown. You’ll earn rewards as they race in the form of Bank, and use them to tweak their cars to prepare for the nighttime. The cops will enforce the law, but they won’t be too aggressive during the day.
It sounds like there isn’t a defined day-night cycle; you’ll be able to switch to night racing when they’re ready. When it’s dark, illicit street races will become available for you to earn Rep — but that will also raise your level of heat, which will bring out some rogue cops who will stop at nothing to, well, stop you.
Heat will be integrated with a mobile app, NFS Heat Studio, which is now available on Android and iOS. The app will allow you to collect, unlock, and customize cars — and then push those designs into the full game. Need for Speed Heat is set for release Nov. 8 on PlayStation 4, Windows PC, and Xbox One. EA Access and Origin Access subscribers will be able to get started early on Nov. 5.
