Heat: Pedal to the Metal

I'm a big fan of board games, from simple party ones to very complicated strategic ones. HEAT is simple enough to learn even for players who are new to these deck-builder type games. However it also has a good amount of depth to allow for strategy which satisfies the geeks. In addition, you can pick and choose to make it more complicated by adding 'modules' such as weather effects, car upgrades and a longer championship mode with even more features. On top of that you can add in bots to be your opponents and play solo if you want. HEAT does a great job at capturing the intensity of a race through a board game medium. Once you know what you're doing the turns go by quickly. At first one race took and hour but soon I'm sure I can do a whole championship in 2 hours. If you're not sure if you'll like it, the answer is probably YES you will.

Days of Wonder produce some great games, usually versions of Ticket to Ride which we enjoy. Therefore, when I read the reviews of Heat, Peddle to the Metal we had to buy it. It is a great game with lots of variations to keep it interesting such as 4 courses and the different upgrades for your cars and you can play with 6 players! It is a game they keeps you on the edge of you seat to the end and in one game the person in last place came past everyone on their last go to win! Few games are that gripping and exciting. If you like racing games this is fantastic and will bring out the competitive nature in everyone who plays it. There is even an expansion with two more courses and additional cars which should be fun!

I bought this to play with my 10 year old nephew and family. It feels a bit complicated at first. I suggest playing the first few rounds with the rules handy and refer to them often initially to be sure you're doing everything correctly. Once you get the hang of the game loop it's actually pretty straightforward though, and then you can just play. (My nephew coped with it fine, and my Mum too...) The game does a great job of providing a fun 'racing' experience, which was novel in board game, at least to me. There is a nice balance between skill and randomness, surprising depth really. We only got a handful of games in over the holiday season but I could see that the multiple tracks, and 'championship mode', will keep it interesting over the longer term. Looking forward to next Christmas with the family!

I bought this as a gift and the recipient was really pleased. He tried to explain the concept of the game and it was a good choice.

I recently purchased this game for my son's birthday. I was disappointed that the cars and pawns are plastic. I feel the cars would break easily very fragile and thin. We really enjoyed playing the game though. I am going to see if we can buy some metal components

If you're looking for a board game that blends strategy, adrenaline, and just the right amount of chaos, Heat: Pedal to the Metal is a winner. I’ve played this with both seasoned gamers and casual friends, and it consistently delivers high-energy fun. What I love: - Fast-paced gameplay: Turns move quickly, and the tension builds as you push your car to the limit. The “heat” mechanic is brilliant, it forces you to manage risk without slowing the game down. - Strategic depth: It’s not just about going fast. You have to plan your gear shifts, cornering speed, and when to cool your engine. It rewards smart play without punishing newcomers. - Beautiful production: The components are well-made and the retro racing theme is immersive. - Scales well: Works great with 2–6 players, and the solo mode is surprisingly solid. The AI drivers are clever and keep the race competitive. Minor nitpicks: - Setup can take a bit of time, especially with new players. There are a lot of cards and modules to sort. - The box insert isn’t perfect—expect a little chaos unless you use baggies or a custom organiser. Overall, Heat is a must-have for fans of racing, tactical card play, or anyone who wants a game that’s easy to learn but hard to master. It’s become a staple in our game nights, and I can’t recommend it enough.

A crowd pleaser, gets everyone involved and thinking different strategies. I like how this already includes expansion cards and can be played 2-6 players, bots, etc. good variety of ways to play with different boards, worth the purchase!

A bit dubious at first however this has become in our group called a Sunday game meaning easy to play a few games and have a good time with. The rules are simple and if you add the alternative elements slowly you can see how different the game can be. The game itself is simple to learn and there is variety in the base game to make it highly replayable (we also have the expansions which add more to it and would alao recommend)