I hope this game is good, Payback just looked god awful.
I'm pessimistic about it. The best NFS games have always been their niche titles, anything they make that tries to cater to a broad audience tends to be lacklustre. Which is unfortunately the direction that they took with Payback, and is likely the direction they'll take with Heat.
Frankly, I'd just prefer if the franchise was run by two independent studios, each focusing on a different theme, releasing a game every 2nd year in staggered intervals. That way there's a NFS title released every year, there's only a 2-year time constraint on Ghost or the 2nd developer, and each side of the two largest NFS communities gets games that are
uncompromisingly what they desire. High octane police chases with exotics, playable cops, and action sequences on one side. And underground city street racing with body kits, custom liveries and car meets on the other. Maybe its just me, but when both these worlds are put together, it just doesn't work. I'd prefer it if they segregate the franchise back to Most Wanted/Underground/2015 VS Hot Pursuit/High Stakes/Rivals. Otherwise, the game's just a poor man's The Crew/Forza Horizon.
But of course, I'm always up for something completely new, if not a revival of one of their other niche titles like The Run. I just don't want this game to be a big bundle of everything. Games like that lack character and soul. Though I do get enjoyment out of them, I never
truly love games that try to be one big toybox, offering something for everyone to enjoy. Because unless you're the type who likes everything, you're in for a very shallow and content dry experience. I prefer "hate it or love it" games, which offer much more to their "love it" audience than these more diverse games ever could.
I mean, which game offers the superior Rallying experience, Dirt Rally 2.0 or The Crew 2? Which offers the best supercar experience, Driveclub or NFS Payback? Which offers the best Formula racing experience, the F1 franchise, or Forza 7? Which offers the superior dirt racing experience, Wreckfest or Forza Horizon 4? Which does GT3 racing better, Assetto Corsa Competizione, or GT Sport?
I'd rather have a library of many games that do few things perfectly, than a few games that do many things adequately. Whatever NFS Heat will be, I hope its a game designed to cater to a focus audience, even if I'm not included in that audience. I'm tired of games that sacrifice the individual's long-term experience for diversity of content and higher sales figures.
. That was cool to hear Romolo in NFS 2016, 25 anniversary should have that!
