I just wanna say thank you for zooming so close into the components when you’re explaining the game. I watched another overview and I couldn’t see squat and so could barely follow
This was one of my favorite reviews from you, I think because of the comparison to other games. I hope you'll do more comparison videos in the future, perhaps by theme or by mechanic.
Another great review, Dan!! Thank you for your excellent content for our gaming community!! I've now pre-ordered the game based on your review and a BGG playthrough video. Looking forward to playing it eventually!
Thanks for the comparison to other racing games - very helpful. I have been considering Flamme Rouge for some time but might go for Heat instead based on your review!
Cool! I talked to the publisher at Gencon and originally it was just going to be the base game but the put the first expansion in the box (2nd board, garage, weather, championship modules). However if it sells well enough, there is definitely an endless amount of content they could put out for it.
The absolute best racing game I've ever played: Race! Formula 90! If you are a fan of racing, or of Formula 1 specifically, this game is an absolute gem!
We've played all these car racing games and enjoy most of them quite a lot, but our favorite such game remains Formula 1, a game published by Waddingtons and Parker Brothers in 1962.
Great video! This game is just AMAZING, and I don't even car about F1, Indy 500 or other racing sports! But allow me to disagree about the Legends not working well at low player count. I've played about 15 solo games so far, and even if I usually finish 1st or 2nd, on some maps they're pretty hard to beat (in Japan, I finished 3rd twice, never higher)... I'm always playing against 5 or 6 Legends at all times (6 since I've got the Heavy Rain expansion). And you can also play "aggressive Legends" if you find it too easy. I think the AI was made to give you the impression you CAN beat them after only a few games, and that's ok: it makes it even more inticing to play "just one more race". :)
I don’t normally like solo games, (mainly because of the lack of interactions and increased admin overhead), but the solo mode in HEAT is so clever and smooth - you can have a solo race and it takes about as long to do your own turn as the sum total of the other 5 car movements. It’s really smooth, and it actually feels like you are racing, rather than just working out a solo puzzle. I think the designer note of adding at least +1 to the legends movement total is a good shout though, since playing default mode is reasonably easy.
Great review! thank you. Even when I don’t agree. I like Formula De more, by far. I am a race fan, I usually go to see races, I like cars, and I tell you that Formula De have is the closes to the real thing… about what you feel and what decision what consequences when to take risks. With formula De you have “real” tracks, that have very differen challenges, like real races, and are better for different styles of racers, making championships more challenging. I almost have all the tracks, more than 14. I know you throw dices, but not normal dices, with all the numbers, but statistically renumbered to make your choices closer to the risks a racer have to do. these Heat is great, and fun, lie Flame rouge, that I love… using all the expansions. But for feel you are racing… Formula De the one that makes me feel adrenaline. I would like to add that for casual players, Formula De is very easy and let 10 players. Thank you! clarify that this is my opinion nothing else.
I found the adrenaline and react step be the most clunky part of the turns, was a little unintuitive, but after one or two laps you got it down pretty much, so not a bit deal. Haven't tried it with the advanced modules yet though.
Great video Dan! Quick q: where in your videos do you comment about player counts and length of game (real time, not "publishe"r time!) I couldn't find it anywhere in the video. I didn't like Downforce because of the betting, so I might like this more. Regards, Salman.
Hi Salman, I talk about player Count and or play time in videos if something stands out. For example in this video I mentioned that it still works with Two but it’s better with more. If something is way shorter or longer than the box says I bring it up. In other words I don’t script my reviews to bring up the same points in so of them. I specifically mention what stood out positive out negative for me and I’m that regards every review is it’s own. I hope that makes sense!
I absolutely love this game! Nice review but I don’t agree with the criticism on spinning out - sometimes I actually do it on purpose! If I’m behind, a viable strategy is to shoot up, go nuts forward, and take the spinout. I’ve won a few games doing this and actually have won a game doing this twice in a single race!
Hmm.. have you been resetting your car to the space before the turn you spun out in, reset to gear 1 and taken multiple stress cards? It’s like losing a turn because you have to still get passed that turn and slowly.
@@TheGameBoyGeeksYes of course. But if you are well behind, and about to enter multiple turns, then the low gear isn’t a problem and actually lets you get rid of heat. By shooting forward recklessly, you actually get the zero spot before the turn while your competitors don’t always end on the zero spot so you do over take them while IMO the penalty in such a case is worth taking. I’ll add an example: supposed you are on spot 11 and your opponents who are in front made it to spots 1 and 2 etc. If you don’t have the right cards, you could spin out instead and take the zero spot. At such a scenario, the penalty is worth it.
I still like snow tales a lot. It still has some fiddly rules when hitting others or crashing but has some similarities in your hand management especially with crashes vs heat. But Heat is definitely a more sleek modern design.
The best racing board game is Championship Formula Racing. All strategy and has the minimal amount of dice rolling luck among all the other top racing games.
I like snow tails a lot although I found some of the rules to be a bit fiddly when crashing. I think this is a much more streamlined Game to teach but offers similar if not more depth (that’s not apparent in the first play or two). The heat cards work similarly to the damage cards in Snow Tails but in Heat you can manage your hand to dwindle them back down again and there is another level of strategy to pushing your luck and pushing the heat to later draws. I think the thought process is much more dynamic in that regard to managing the damage in Snow Tails. Although I’ll have to admit it’s been years since I’ve played Snow Tails but I still have it even though I don’t tend to keep things I haven’t played in the last year so that’s a positive thing :)
Sorry Benny I haven’t played that one. I tried best to compare it to the most popular racing games that would be known by most gamers. It looks like Scrap Racer cans out in 2021 and Doesn’t even have 80 ratings on board game Geek.
Heat: Pedal to the Metal is like Formula D with cards and it an improvement over Formula D, but my favourite racing games are Ave Caesar and Odins Ravens.
Seems like there is more strategy in flame rouge since you play 2 hands and can plan for slip streaming. Looks like this game has it but it's just luck.
@@grog3514 There is slays so many things to consider. How many cards do you discard? Which cards have you played in this deck cycle? Which cards are still left in your deck. How much heat do you have, where is that heat? Do you want to burn through your deck or slow roll it? Do you have special cards to get rid of heat? Where are those cards? Where are you on The track? And that’s just making one decision for discarding. Not to mention the decisions that go into which gear to go into ( How many cards to play) where are the other cars ? Can you predict ever the other cards will be with a turn coming up (probably) can you set your self up to slip stream knowing this. And all this is just scratching the surface.
Nothing makes me trust a reviewer more than props of advertisers mingled with the game components. Can't wait for reviews with doritos bags and mountain dew cans over the game board.
Heat is not a racing game. It's a card game with a racing theme. You really should check out Race Pace. This game oozes racing. You're not the driver, but a race team manager trying to manage race incidents, tyre wear and tyre strategy, weather conditions, car setup, driver coaching. It sounds complex but it's quite easy to understand. It's from Bad Rule Games.
I’ll check out Race Pace! And although Heat is hugely about hand management, the first one crossing the line wins, so it definitely is considered a racing game. Any game where the first to get to a certain point threshold or win s race would be in that category :)
why... do... you... talk... so... f***... fast? I was looking forward to this review and the comparison and I had to endure my heartbeat rising. A pitty, I could have enjoyed this video so much and instead, it was a painful experience. Man... relax, you do not need to beat the clock at every breath. Whoever told you that you need to speak as a crazyman because it is what works for UA-cam, IS WRONG!
I love Downforce and it is actually in my collection. I am vacillating if I buy Heat, it would make downforce redundant and vice versa. But now I am sure, both have a place in my collection. While both have the same theme of racing, they are different enough. Thank you Sir Game Boy Geek. 🫡
Those feel like two completely different games. Heat is a deck management Game and Downforce is a betting game where you have hidden knowledge of your influence.
I just wanna say thank you for zooming so close into the components when you’re explaining the game. I watched another overview and I couldn’t see squat and so could barely follow
Glad you liked my techniques Scott!
This was one of my favorite reviews from you, I think because of the comparison to other games. I hope you'll do more comparison videos in the future, perhaps by theme or by mechanic.
I’m glad you enjoyed that part!
Another great review, Dan!! Thank you for your excellent content for our gaming community!! I've now pre-ordered the game based on your review and a BGG playthrough video. Looking forward to playing it eventually!
Cool Christopher! I'm glad I could help!
Thanks for the comparison to other racing games - very helpful. I have been considering Flamme Rouge for some time but might go for Heat instead based on your review!
I’m glad it could help Gregory!
It's the same designer, so there's definitely a lot of similarities. I'd go for the one you like the theme most.
Been waiting for this since it was announced. Cant wait for it!
They said it should be out mid Nov in the U.S (here)
Thank you for recommending this video! I saw your comment to my inquiry on the Dice Tower’s review.
Cool I hope my review helped!
Played it a few times now and it’s definitely my favorite racing game. Looking forward to expansions!
Cool! I talked to the publisher at Gencon and originally it was just going to be the base game but the put the first expansion in the box (2nd board, garage, weather, championship modules). However if it sells well enough, there is definitely an endless amount of content they could put out for it.
@@TheGameBoyGeeks definitely! There will be an 8 player expansion for sure as there are 8 podium places on the boards. Thanks, great review again.
The absolute best racing game I've ever played: Race! Formula 90!
If you are a fan of racing, or of Formula 1 specifically, this game is an absolute gem!
Cool Adam! I've had many people who are really into racing games tell me this is now their favorite!
Thanks for the comparison review! Was looking at different good racing games and bought this one. Cheers
Glad I could help!
Bicyclist, Saxophonist, Board Game Reviewer……..Triple Threat. Somebody give this guy a saxophone serenade!!!
Ha! Thanks CB!
can I ask 1 question
Which one is "easier" for New gamers?
Heat or Downforce??
Probably downforce. But that game is best with 3-4 players
Thanks for the great review and comparing it to other games
You’re welcome Earl!
You really should try Rallyman GT and Rallyman Dirt. So good !
You missed the comparison with Dodos Riding Dinos 🤣 great video.
2 different beasts. The other is a kids game that i did a preview for. Very different games for very different groups
clean simple elegant review as usual thanks dan
Thanks Ahmed!
We've played all these car racing games and enjoy most of them quite a lot, but our favorite such game remains Formula 1, a game published by Waddingtons and Parker Brothers in 1962.
Better than Formula D ?
Thank you for this great review. We played it a lot of times and we love it.
Glad to hear it Teddy!
Thank you!
I wasn't expecting for all that honesty...
And I appreciate it a lot :)
Subscribed!
Thanks Louis!
Great video! This game is just AMAZING, and I don't even car about F1, Indy 500 or other racing sports! But allow me to disagree about the Legends not working well at low player count. I've played about 15 solo games so far, and even if I usually finish 1st or 2nd, on some maps they're pretty hard to beat (in Japan, I finished 3rd twice, never higher)... I'm always playing against 5 or 6 Legends at all times (6 since I've got the Heavy Rain expansion). And you can also play "aggressive Legends" if you find it too easy. I think the AI was made to give you the impression you CAN beat them after only a few games, and that's ok: it makes it even more inticing to play "just one more race". :)
Thanks for the video. This game looks great, and as a big F1 fan, really appealing. Have you tried it solo?
Yes I played it solo and It works well since the legends module is very easy to manage (about 5 seconds per legend turn).
I don’t normally like solo games, (mainly because of the lack of interactions and increased admin overhead), but the solo mode in HEAT is so clever and smooth - you can have a solo race and it takes about as long to do your own turn as the sum total of the other 5 car movements. It’s really smooth, and it actually feels like you are racing, rather than just working out a solo puzzle. I think the designer note of adding at least +1 to the legends movement total is a good shout though, since playing default mode is reasonably easy.
Great review! thank you. Even when I don’t agree. I like Formula De more, by far. I am a race fan, I usually go to see races, I like cars, and I tell you that Formula De have is the closes to the real thing… about what you feel and what decision what consequences when to take risks. With formula De you have “real” tracks, that have very differen challenges, like real races, and are better for different styles of racers, making championships more challenging. I almost have all the tracks, more than 14. I know you throw dices, but not normal dices, with all the numbers, but statistically renumbered to make your choices closer to the risks a racer have to do. these Heat is great, and fun, lie Flame rouge, that I love… using all the expansions. But for feel you are racing… Formula De the one that makes me feel adrenaline. I would like to add that for casual players, Formula De is very easy and let 10 players. Thank you! clarify that this is my opinion nothing else.
I appreciate you comparing this to other older racing games
Glad you enjoyed that Jake!
I found the adrenaline and react step be the most clunky part of the turns, was a little unintuitive, but after one or two laps you got it down pretty much, so not a bit deal. Haven't tried it with the advanced modules yet though.
Formula D , Thunder rolls new dice game, thunder alley. Those are a few I can think of also.
Great video Dan! Quick q: where in your videos do you comment about player counts and length of game (real time, not "publishe"r time!)
I couldn't find it anywhere in the video.
I didn't like Downforce because of the betting, so I might like this more.
Regards, Salman.
Hi Salman, I talk about player Count and or play time in videos if something stands out. For example in this video I mentioned that it still works with Two but it’s better with more. If something is way shorter or longer than the box says I bring it up. In other words I don’t script my reviews to bring up the same points in so of them. I specifically mention what stood out positive out negative for me and I’m that regards every review is it’s own. I hope that makes sense!
I absolutely love this game! Nice review but I don’t agree with the criticism on spinning out - sometimes I actually do it on purpose! If I’m behind, a viable strategy is to shoot up, go nuts forward, and take the spinout. I’ve won a few games doing this and actually have won a game doing this twice in a single race!
Hmm.. have you been resetting your car to the space before the turn you spun out in, reset to gear 1 and taken multiple stress cards? It’s like losing a turn because you have to still get passed that turn and slowly.
@@TheGameBoyGeeksYes of course. But if you are well behind, and about to enter multiple turns, then the low gear isn’t a problem and actually lets you get rid of heat. By shooting forward recklessly, you actually get the zero spot before the turn while your competitors don’t always end on the zero spot so you do over take them while IMO the penalty in such a case is worth taking.
I’ll add an example: supposed you are on spot 11 and your opponents who are in front made it to spots 1 and 2 etc. If you don’t have the right cards, you could spin out instead and take the zero spot. At such a scenario, the penalty is worth it.
Great game. It won't replace Rallyman GT or Race! Formula 90. Or Snow Tails. All four games are awesome.
Why did you leave out Rallyman GT from the list?
Haven't played it and hadn't seem to get as much attention as the ones I mentioned that I have played.
Um Reifenbreite & Ausgebremst! are worth a look imho. Old but gold ^^
I've been wanting to play Um Reifenbreite for years but it's hard to get over here!
Thanks for the review, how about Snow Tails?
I still like snow tales a lot. It still has some fiddly rules when hitting others or crashing but has some similarities in your hand management especially with crashes vs heat. But Heat is definitely a more sleek modern design.
Thanks Dan, I love Snow Tails a lot, haven't tried Heat yet
The best racing board game is Championship Formula Racing. All strategy and has the minimal amount of dice rolling luck among all the other top racing games.
Which racing game is good for playing solo?
This one of Great. I heard good things about Rallyman GT that I think is only solo.
Formula de is amazing.. Hoping to play this soon
Can you compare this to Snow Tails? That's my favorite "pure" racing game.
I like snow tails a lot although I found some of the rules to be a bit fiddly when crashing. I think this is a much more streamlined Game to teach but offers similar if not more depth (that’s not apparent in the first play or two). The heat cards work similarly to the damage cards in Snow Tails but in Heat you can manage your hand to dwindle them back down again and there is another level of strategy to pushing your luck and pushing the heat to later draws. I think the thought process is much more dynamic in that regard to managing the damage in Snow Tails. Although I’ll have to admit it’s been years since I’ve played Snow Tails but I still have it even though I don’t tend to keep things I haven’t played in the last year so that’s a positive thing :)
You said it replaces Formula D for you in your collection but there was no saxophone serenade?
This was an editing snafu! It should have had one! Too much going on with my Kickstarter fulfillment at the time, and it was a brain fart.
@@TheGameBoyGeeks Ah makes sense! Thanks for the review, you tipped me over the edge on this game.
No saxophone serenade for this one?
Was an editing mistake!
Is it better than Ave Caesar?
Still haven’t played that but others I’ve talked said yes
Shame you didn't include the recent Scrap Racer into your comparison.
Sorry Benny I haven’t played that one. I tried best to compare it to the most popular racing games that would be known by most gamers. It looks like Scrap Racer cans out in 2021 and Doesn’t even have 80 ratings on board game Geek.
@@TheGameBoyGeeks Yep, totally understandable. It was a cool little Kickstarter and still my best bet to play with my little kid!
Should we call this type a "deck builder" a "deck hamper"?
Ha! That’s kind of true! But it feels more like a hands management game than a deck builder to me
Heat: Pedal to the Metal is like Formula D with cards and it an improvement over Formula D, but my favourite racing games are Ave Caesar and Odins Ravens.
I like Odens Ravens too!
@@TheGameBoyGeeks It's such a cool little game 🙂
Not sure any game will kick Thunder Alley off my tip 10 racing games
There’s only one way to find out :)
How diff from flamme rouge?
I did comment on this exactly on the video
@@TheGameBoyGeeks hi. Sorry haven’t finished the video yet. I assumed from the video still photo.
Can you please compare against Dirt?
In an not familiar with Dirt and couldn’t seem to find it on BGG?
Seems like there is more strategy in flame rouge since you play 2 hands and can plan for slip streaming. Looks like this game has it but it's just luck.
I’ve played and record both and In my experience is the exact opposite. This feels much more able to mitigate and plan than Flamme Rouge.
@@TheGameBoyGeeks How does that happen? You have 1 car vs 2 bikes and moves are revealed simultaneously. How can you plan in that environment?
@@grog3514 maybe having less units means less playerdriven chaos(which can be confused with randomness)?
@@grog3514 There is slays so many things to consider. How many cards do you discard? Which cards have you played in this deck cycle? Which cards are still left in your deck. How much heat do you have, where is that heat? Do you want to burn through your deck or slow roll it? Do you have special cards to get rid of heat? Where are those cards? Where are you on The track? And that’s just making one decision for discarding. Not to mention the decisions that go into which gear to go into ( How many cards to play) where are the other cars ? Can you predict ever the other cards will be with a turn coming up (probably) can you set your self up to slip stream knowing this. And all this is just scratching the surface.
Seems a lot like Flamme Rouge. I would prefer the auto racing theme to cycling personally.
I found the hand management much more interesting than in Flamme Rouge
both games are also created by the same guy!
@@christianslvhi6924 oh didn't know that!
Nothing makes me trust a reviewer more than props of advertisers mingled with the game components.
Can't wait for reviews with doritos bags and mountain dew cans over the game board.
They are clearly disclaimed in the description of the video and at the end of the video.
Babéase
Heat is not a racing game. It's a card game with a racing theme. You really should check out Race Pace. This game oozes racing. You're not the driver, but a race team manager trying to manage race incidents, tyre wear and tyre strategy, weather conditions, car setup, driver coaching. It sounds complex but it's quite easy to understand. It's from Bad Rule Games.
I’ll check out Race Pace! And although Heat is hugely about hand management, the first one crossing the line wins, so it definitely is considered a racing game. Any game where the first to get to a certain point threshold or win s race would be in that category :)
why... do... you... talk... so... f***... fast? I was looking forward to this review and the comparison and I had to endure my heartbeat rising. A pitty, I could have enjoyed this video so much and instead, it was a painful experience. Man... relax, you do not need to beat the clock at every breath. Whoever told you that you need to speak as a crazyman because it is what works for UA-cam, IS WRONG!
That’s just my excitement coming through :)
I love Downforce and it is actually in my collection. I am vacillating if I buy Heat, it would make downforce redundant and vice versa. But now I am sure, both have a place in my collection. While both have the same theme of racing, they are different enough. Thank you Sir Game Boy Geek. 🫡
Those feel like two completely different games. Heat is a deck management Game and Downforce is a betting game where you have hidden knowledge of your influence.