NASCAR HEAT 5 - Wish List?

[Bvrat76]

This game is border line awful. I'm not sure if this is a wish list or a list of demands that need to be completed to make it even playable. I'm a huge NASCAR fan, I worked in the auto racing industry for some time. I have always passed on these games but with Corona figured I'd give it a try. I should have just spent 70 bucks at the local firework stand. Here we go..

1. Car Adjustments - The little that you can do make little impact on the car.
2. The game freezes constantly, and the graphics look straight out of 2009.
3. Paint booth? Really? How many years ago was there a 100% custom booth option? If we can't upload logos (like NBA2K) or get complete custom options at least give us more paint schemes and a custom color pallet. Won't even get into the fact that the wheels and spoiler colors default to Neon during the race.
4. Career mode is completely lacking. Look at The Show, NBA 2K, even Madden.
5. Complete lack of statistics and replay is lacking
6. Car control is off, no matter the set up it feels like the car is pushing.
7. Was impossible to win on the dirt, but I won the Xfinity and Cup titles in my first season?????
8. Lack of alternative paint schemes (Harvick you can add the beer logo WOWWWW!)

Overall the game was a fun distraction for a night, and I'm glad my kids like it (although having the Skittles Car or PPG Car would make them happier) but this was a complete waste of money. I can't believe in 2020 a game with this lack of depth and quality even finds it's way to the market. Thank goodness Madden comes out soon. It will be a long time before I buy another console racing game. So much potential to make this a really great title hopefully a new developer will take over the reigns soon.

[Jeffrey99]

Re: NASCAR HEAT 5 - Wish List?

#1 and main one for me to buy the game again is realistic damage. I shouldn't be able to slam the wall going 190 and the car look like I barely hit anything. And then once I pit the cars magically back to 100% with not a scratch.

If you want a good console racer, check out F1 2020.
Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

[Bvrat76]

Re: NASCAR HEAT 5 - Wish List?

#1 and main one for me to buy the game again is realistic damage. I shouldn't be able to slam the wall going 190 and the car look like I barely hit anything. And then once I pit the cars magically back to 100% with not a scratch.

If you want a good console racer, check out F1 2020.
Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

Forgot about the damage - that's another excellent point.

I may try the F1 game, local Family Video has it for rent I'm on the wait list. Refuse to get suckered in for another 60 bucks.

[Heat_Fan]

Re: NASCAR HEAT 5 - Wish List?

My number one wishlist is that they actually made a good Nascar game. To my better judgment I purchased it on Steam and quickly got a refund. NH5 is basically NH4.1

It's running on the dreadful Unity Engine and the developer makes no apologies for it while charging money for paint jobs. Look all I ask is that they try but they are not remotely interested.

I have a 7 yr old rig (i5-3570K and GTX 780, 16GB of RAM) running Automobilista 2 and I kid you not. I can run 28 cars in HIGH settings detail and the game is buttery smooth. With NH5 just looking at the car shadows makes me head for the Steam refund menu. The car shadowing in NH5 is made up of fine dithering dots.

Not to mention I get all kinds of stuttering regardless whether i'm racing 39 cars or I am running solo on the track. It doesn't matter whether I have the settings on LOW or HIGH, it stutters. Shameful

[rcp22556]

Re: NASCAR HEAT 5 - Wish List?

First of all, people really have to stop saying,"If you want a good racer, buy F1 2020". F1 Racing and Nascar are two completely different forms of racing. I love Nascar racing, not F1. I know it's a great game, but like everyone else, I want someone to make a great Nascar game, and I'm not confident 704 is up to it.

The real reason I'm here is just to say that the actual racing is fun and addictive. It still has many AI issues at several tracks, but the actual AI drivers have improved over the years - not smashing into to you for no reason, driving different lines during the race, bump drafting that actually works - all good things, but unfortunately, that's pretty much where it ends.

My biggest issue with the racing is that the AI drivers just do not pit when they should. The whole tire-wear system is so screwed up, 704 doesn't see this? During 25% race length, there's no need for you or the AI to pit at all the entire race. Sure, you can set your own car to 2x, 3x, 4x tire-wear to include pit stops, but for what reason? It doesn't affect the AI Drivers, it just puts you at a further disadvantage. The only option they give you is to increase AI fuel consumption and set their tires so that more tire-wear decreases their speed. Terrific, so I do that and the next 25% race I have, they still don't pit. Instead, during the 3rd stage, they slowed down to a crawl such that you could literally pass the whole field in half a lap. This kind of racing logic makes me wanna puke.

Why not just have one mode for tire-wear and fuel consumption and call it "Realistic"? We're all driving the same cars aren't we. Shouldn't TW and FC be pretty much the same, give or take? You want to increase both for shorter races, fine, as long as it affects everybody the same.

All the endless options and features of a game like F1 2020 is great. I want that too, for Nascar. But the racing has to come first. They have to get that down first.
Winning a Nascar race is about racing effectively and pitting strategically. If anyone knows of a current single-player Nascar game that can do, please, I'd love to know.

One more thing: Full replays, from any camera angle, from any driver's perspective. Geez, I think even "Dirt to Daytona" did that!

[Jeffrey99]

Re: NASCAR HEAT 5 - Wish List?

First of all, people really have to stop saying,"If you want a good racer, buy F1 2020". F1 Racing and Nascar are two completely different forms of racing. I love Nascar racing, not F1. I know it's a great game, but like everyone else, I want someone to make a great Nascar game, and I'm not confident 704 is up to it.



The real reason I'm here is just to say that the actual racing is fun and addictive. It still has many AI issues at several tracks, but the actual AI drivers have improved over the years - not smashing into to you for no reason, driving different lines during the race, bump drafting that actually works - all good things, but unfortunately, that's pretty much where it ends.



My biggest issue with the racing is that the AI drivers just do not pit when they should. The whole tire-wear system is so screwed up, 704 doesn't see this? During 25% race length, there's no need for you or the AI to pit at all the entire race. Sure, you can set your own car to 2x, 3x, 4x tire-wear to include pit stops, but for what reason? It doesn't affect the AI Drivers, it just puts you at a further disadvantage. The only option they give you is to increase AI fuel consumption and set their tires so that more tire-wear decreases their speed. Terrific, so I do that and the next 25% race I have, they still don't pit. Instead, during the 3rd stage, they slowed down to a crawl such that you could literally pass the whole field in half a lap. This kind of racing logic makes me wanna puke.



Why not just have one mode for tire-wear and fuel consumption and call it "Realistic"? We're all driving the same cars aren't we. Shouldn't TW and FC be pretty much the same, give or take? You want to increase both for shorter races, fine, as long as it affects everybody the same.



All the endless options and features of a game like F1 2020 is great. I want that too, for Nascar. But the racing has to come first. They have to get that down first.

Winning a Nascar race is about racing effectively and pitting strategically. If anyone knows of a current single-player Nascar game that can do, please, I'd love to know.



One more thing: Full replays, from any camera angle, from any driver's perspective. Geez, I think even "Dirt to Daytona" did that!

People like me are quoting F1 because it came out the exact same day. Anybody quoting F1 in a Nascar forum, obviously wants a comparable Nascar game. But unfortunately that's not a option right now. So you can either live with 5, go back to 4 or find a alternative.

I'd love to have a great Nascar game. I honestly don't think 704 or anyone associated with them are the ones to do it.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

[rcp22556]

Re: NASCAR HEAT 5 - Wish List?

People like me are quoting F1 because it came out the exact same day. Anybody quoting F1 in a Nascar forum, obviously wants a comparable Nascar game. But unfortunately that's not a option right now. So you can either live with 5, go back to 4 or find a alternative.

I'd love to have a great Nascar game. I honestly don't think 704 or anyone associated with them are the ones to do it.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

I agree 100%. You mentioned going back to 4. I never bought that one - played it a couple of times. Do you recall if the AI pitting logic was more realistic than 5?
Also, I heard the next-gen Nascar Heat game was gonna use a new game engine...bye, bye Unity, and 704 would be under new leadership. Maybe that's a good sign.

[Jeffrey99]

Re: NASCAR HEAT 5 - Wish List?

I agree 100%. You mentioned going back to 4. I never bought that one - played it a couple of times. Do you recall if the AI pitting logic was more realistic than 5?

Also, I heard the next-gen Nascar Heat game was gonna use a new game engine...bye, bye Unity, and 704 would be under new leadership. Maybe that's a good sign.

I think pit logic is the same. Don't quote me on that. But it sure seems to be the same. Honestly 5 is almost identical with 4 with a few new paint schemes and imo alittle better AI under green flag.

It's sad when your thinking of installing a 17 year old game on my PC to get a decent offline Nascar racer.

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[mercalnd]

Re: NASCAR HEAT 5 - Wish List?

My biggest issue with the racing is that the AI drivers just do not pit when they should. The whole tire-wear system is so screwed up, 704 doesn't see this? During 25% race length, there's no need for you or the AI to pit at all the entire race. Sure, you can set your own car to 2x, 3x, 4x tire-wear to include pit stops, but for what reason? It doesn't affect the AI Drivers, it just puts you at a further disadvantage. The only option they give you is to increase AI fuel consumption and set their tires so that more tire-wear decreases their speed. Terrific, so I do that and the next 25% race I have, they still don't pit. Instead, during the 3rd stage, they slowed down to a crawl such that you could literally pass the whole field in half a lap. This kind of racing logic makes me wanna puke.

The global "Fuel and tire wear" option absolutely works on the AI as well as the player's car. I run 25% races with 3X wear and AI cars have to pit 2 to 3 times per race just as I do. Also, they are clearly slowed down like I am as the tires wear out. They usually pit around the same time I have to, give or take a couple of laps depending on whether I'm good or bad at managing tires on any particular track.

I will say I don't do stages though so that may be what causes your issues. I also have yet to play Heat 5. My observations are based on Heat 3 and Heat 4. I just figure this hasn't changed. Apologies if I'm wrong on that.

[rcp22556]

Re: NASCAR HEAT 5 - Wish List?

I think pit logic is the same. Don't quote me on that. But it sure seems to be the same. Honestly 5 is almost identical with 4 with a few new paint schemes and imo alittle better AI under green flag.

It's sad when your thinking of installing a 17 year old game on my PC to get a decent offline Nascar racer.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

Thanks for the reply. Ah yes, Nascar 2003...unbelievable game! Gimmee that on the next-gen consoles, 4K 60 frames and I'll shut up.

I just saw a NH5 race on YT - trucks at Martinsville. Full race, 125 laps (SportsGamersOnline). There were several pit stops for both AI drivers and the player. End of stage pit stops and plenty of other caution-flag pit stops.It was good to see. I'm gonna try 50% races and see what happens...I want pit-stop strategy to come into play damn it!

I'll check back here every now and then to see if anyone has anything else to add. Maybe 704 will release new patches in the near future...I won't hold my breath.

[rcp22556]

Re: NASCAR HEAT 5 - Wish List?

The global "Fuel and tire wear" option absolutely works on the AI as well as the player's car. I run 25% races with 3X wear and AI cars have to pit 2 to 3 times per race just as I do. Also, they are clearly slowed down like I am as the tires wear out. They usually pit around the same time I have to, give or take a couple of laps depending on whether I'm good or bad at managing tires on any particular track.

I will say I don't do stages though so that may be what causes your issues. I also have yet to play Heat 5. My observations are based on Heat 3 and Heat 4. I just figure this hasn't changed. Apologies if I'm wrong on that.

No apology needed my friend. Thanks for the reply. What you're telling me is actually great to hear. Maybe I'm the one setting something up wrong. I have the global TW and FC on normal. I once tried 2x and 3x, but it seemed to just force me to pit more often, whereas the AI drivers stayed out on the track.

Actually, I think you're right about the stage racing being the main culprit. I'm gonna pump it up to 50% race length and see how that changes things.

[rcp22556]

Re: NASCAR HEAT 5 - Wish List?

The global "Fuel and tire wear" option absolutely works on the AI as well as the player's car. I run 25% races with 3X wear and AI cars have to pit 2 to 3 times per race just as I do. Also, they are clearly slowed down like I am as the tires wear out. They usually pit around the same time I have to, give or take a couple of laps depending on whether I'm good or bad at managing tires on any particular track.

I will say I don't do stages though so that may be what causes your issues. I also have yet to play Heat 5. My observations are based on Heat 3 and Heat 4. I just figure this hasn't changed. Apologies if I'm wrong on that.

Hey Mercalnd, my apologies and thanks - you were absolutely right. I don't know what the hell I was doing! I set the global TW and FC to 4x and also set the AI drivers to more tire wear affects speed and faster FC. I then had 7 25% races at 7 different tracks. All were stage races. The results were awesome. I never had such great dramatic races. It's what I was hoping for.

The AI drivers pit several times - after stage completions and also during various other yellow cautions - blown engines, huge car pile-ups behind me...etc. I even got out-foxed twice during important 3rd-stage pit stops. Good Stuff.

In my first post I did a lot of ranting. I still want all the bells and whistles, but at least now I got my pit stops.

[Bvrat76]

Re: NASCAR HEAT 5 - Wish List?

First of all, people really have to stop saying,"If you want a good racer, buy F1 2020". F1 Racing and Nascar are two completely different forms of racing. I love Nascar racing, not F1. I know it's a great game, but like everyone else, I want someone to make a great Nascar game, and I'm not confident 704 is up to it.


Geez, I think even "Dirt to Daytona" did that!

I enjoy all racing. NASCAR is my favorite because I grew up in the sport but Indy, FI, IMSA, NHRA, IHRA, SCCA the list of what I watch is endless. I would LOVE a more indepth IMSA style racing game. Hell I even watch snowmobile racing. I appreciate the F1 tip, I have actually enjoyed the heck out of that game.

D2D was IMO the most fun Nascar game they ever did. I know everyone loves 2003, but that one was always my favorite.

[UFCMPunk]

Re: NASCAR HEAT 5 - Wish List?

For Codemasters to get the NASCAR License and make a NASCAR video game. If that could happen, they could implement importing drivers to the other game. So you could just import Jimmie Johnson to the F1 Game from the NASCAR game to reflect he wants to race in F1.