Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like Need for Speed Heat (2026)
Every game below overlaps with Need for Speed Heat on things players said about it rather than on our opinion of what feels alike. Each entry shows what it matched on, so you can throw out the ones matching on the part you did not care about.
The short version
- Closest match: Need for Speed Rivals, which made by the same studio, EA Gothenburg.
- Need for Speed Heat is tagged Racing, Open World, Multiplayer, Driving, Action, Singleplayer, Co-op, Adventure by Steam players. Those tags are what the matching runs on.
- 24 games qualify, each with at least fifty player reviews behind its sentiment figure.
- 1 are free to download, so you can test the resemblance yourself at no cost.
- 2 are from the same studio: Need for Speed Rivals, Need for Speed Payback.
How these were matched
Steam tags carry the most weight, because players apply them and they describe how a game feels rather than how it was filed. Souls-like, Atmospheric and Cozy exist as tags and as nothing else, which is exactly the vocabulary this question needs. Formal genres count for less, themes and a shared studio for more.
Tags carried by more than a third of the catalogue are thrown out before matching. Nearly everything is tagged Singleplayer, so matching on it is matching on nothing. That cutoff is computed from the catalogue rather than fixed, so it moves as the catalogue grows.
All 24, closest first
- 1
Need for Speed Rivals
Why it matched: made by the same studio, EA Gothenburg; both open world and atmospheric; shares 11 player tags including Racing, Driving and Combat Racing.
Erase the line between single player and multiplayer in this street-racing rivalry between Cops and Racers. Seamlessly join a world where your friends are already racing and chasing
Need for Speed Rivals at a glance Released 2013 Studio EA Gothenburg Player sentiment 76% positive of 10,553 Price $19.99 RacingDrivingCombat RacingPvPArcadeThird PersonFirst-PersonSports
- 2
Need for Speed Payback
Why it matched: made by the same studio, EA Gothenburg; both open world and atmospheric; shares 9 player tags including Racing, Combat Racing and Controller; released around the same time (2017).
Set in the underworld of Fortune Valley, you and your crew were divided by betrayal and reunited by revenge to take down The House, a nefarious cartel that rules the city’s casinos, criminals and cops. In this corrupt gambler’s paradise, the stakes are high and The House always wins.
Need for Speed Payback at a glance Released 2017 Studio EA Gothenburg Player sentiment 85% positive of 32,277 Price $29.99 RacingCombat RacingControllerSportsPvPArcadeThird PersonFirst-Person
- 3
Need for Speed Unbound
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 9 player tags including Racing, Driving and Character Customization; published by the same company; released around the same time (2022).
Race to the top, definitely don’t flop. Outsmart the cops, and enter weekly qualifiers for The Grand: the ultimate street race. Pack your garage with precision-tuned, custom rides, and light up the streets with your style.
Need for Speed Unbound at a glance Released 2022 Studio Criterion Games Player sentiment 60% positive of 60,177 Price $69.99 RacingDrivingCharacter CustomizationCombat RacingControllerArcadeOnline Co-OpSports
- 4
Need for Speed
Why it matched: both open world; shares 10 player tags including Racing, Driving and Destruction; published by the same company; released around the same time (2020).
Ready to own the streets? Get behind the wheel of iconic cars and floor it through Ventura Bay, a sprawling urban playground. Explore overlapping stories as you build your reputation – and your dream car – and become the ultimate racing icon.
Need for Speed at a glance Released 2020 Studio Ghost Games Player sentiment 69% positive of 29,486 Price $29.99 RacingDrivingDestructionArcadeThird PersonCombat RacingFirst-PersonController
- 5
Forza Horizon 4
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 8 player tags including Racing, Driving and Online Co-Op; released around the same time (2021).
Dynamic seasons change everything at the world’s greatest automotive festival. Go it alone or team up with others to explore beautiful and historic Britain in a shared open world.
Forza Horizon 4 at a glance Released 2021 Studio Playground Games Player sentiment 91% positive of 303,167 Price Not listed RacingDrivingOnline Co-OpControllerPvPArcadeSportsFirst-Person
- 6
Project CARS
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including Racing, Driving and Sports; published by the same company; released around the same time (2015).
THE ULTIMATE DRIVER JOURNEY delivers the soul of motor racing in the world’s most beautiful, authentic, and technically-advanced racing game.
Project CARS at a glance Released 2015 Studio Slightly Mad Studios Player sentiment 79% positive of 14,438 Price Not listed RacingDrivingSportsFirst-PersonControllerThird PersonArcade
- 7
Need for Speed Most Wanted
Why it matched: both open world; shares 8 player tags including Racing, Driving and Arcade; published by the same company; released around the same time (2020).
The open-world action in Need for Speed Most Wanted gives you the freedom to drive your way. Hit jumps and shortcuts, switch cars, lie low or head for terrain that plays to your vehicle’s unique strengths. Fight your way past cops and rivals using skill, high-end car tech and tons of nitrous.
Need for Speed Most Wanted at a glance Released 2020 Studio Criterion Games Player sentiment 77% positive of 27,849 Price $19.99 RacingDrivingArcadeCombat RacingFirst-PersonControllerThird PersonSplit Screen
- 8
Assetto Corsa Competizione
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including Racing, Driving and Sports; released around the same time (2019).
Assetto Corsa Competizione, the official GT World Challenge videogame. Thanks to the extraordinary quality of simulation, you will experience the atmosphere of the GT3 championship. Compete against official drivers, teams, cars and official circuits reproduced to the highest quality ever seen.
Assetto Corsa Competizione at a glance Released 2019 Studio Kunos Simulazioni Player sentiment 93% positive of 48,018 Price $39.99 RacingDrivingSportsControllerOnline Co-OpFirst-PersonPvP
- 9
Forza Horizon 5
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including Racing, Driving and Arcade; released around the same time (2021).
Explore the vibrant open world landscapes of Mexico with limitless, fun driving action in the world’s greatest cars.
Forza Horizon 5 at a glance Released 2021 Studio Playground Games Player sentiment 89% positive of 279,979 Price $23.99 RacingDrivingArcadeFirst-PersonOnline Co-OpSportsPvP
- 10
DiRT 4
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 6 player tags including Racing, Driving and Sports; published by the same company; released around the same time (2017).
DiRT 4 is all about embracing fear. It’s about the thrill, exhilaration and adrenaline that is absolutely vital to off-road racing. It’s about loving the feeling of pushing flat out next to a sheer cliff drop, going for the gap that’s too small and seeing how much air you can get. Be Fearless.
DiRT 4 at a glance Released 2017 Studio Codemasters Player sentiment 80% positive of 16,257 Price Not listed RacingDrivingSportsArcadeControllerOnline Co-Op
- 11
The Crew 2
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including Racing, Driving and Arcade; released around the same time (2018).
Take on the American motorsports scene as you explore and dominate the land, air, and sea across the entire USA. New: play The Crew 2 offline or online with the new Hybrid mode, available now!
The Crew 2 at a glance Released 2018 Studio Ivory Tower Player sentiment 78% positive of 99,588 Price $29.99 RacingDrivingArcadeOnline Co-OpFirst-PersonThird PersonSports
- 12
Burnout Paradise: The Ultimate Box
Why it matched: both open world; shares 8 player tags including Racing, Destruction and Driving; published by the same company.
Download Burnout™ Paradise: The Ultimate Box today. Paradise City is the largest and most dangerous setting yet for the best-selling Burnout series. The massive setting gives players an open-ended world to explore, as they race their vehicles through hundreds of miles of roads and underground passages with more than 70 different cars.
Burnout Paradise: The Ultimate Box at a glance Released 2009 Studio Criterion Games Player sentiment 87% positive of 13,473 Price Not listed RacingDestructionDrivingArcadeControllerSportsThird PersonOnline Co-Op
- 13
Need for Speed: Most Wanted
Why it matched: both open world; shares 8 player tags including Racing, Driving and Arcade; published by the same company.
The open-world action in Need for Speed Most Wanted gives you the freedom to drive your way. Hit jumps and shortcuts, switch cars, lie low or head for terrain that plays to your vehicle’s unique strengths. Fight your way past cops and rivals using skill, high-end car tech and tons of nitrous.
Need for Speed: Most Wanted at a glance Released 2005 Studio Not recorded Player sentiment 77% positive of 27,838 Price $19.99 RacingDrivingArcadeCombat RacingFirst-PersonControllerThird PersonSplit Screen
- 14
Need for Speed: Most Wanted
Why it matched: both open world; shares 8 player tags including Racing, Driving and Arcade; published by the same company.
The open-world action in Need for Speed Most Wanted gives you the freedom to drive your way. Hit jumps and shortcuts, switch cars, lie low or head for terrain that plays to your vehicle’s unique strengths. Fight your way past cops and rivals using skill, high-end car tech and tons of nitrous.
Need for Speed: Most Wanted at a glance Released 2012 Studio Criterion Games Player sentiment 77% positive of 27,838 Price $19.99 RacingDrivingArcadeCombat RacingFirst-PersonControllerThird PersonSplit Screen
- 15
RIDE 4
Why it matched: both open world; shares 8 player tags including Racing, Sports and First-Person; released around the same time (2020).
Are you ready to live the best gaming experience that a motorcycle fan can get? RIDE 4 will spark your competitive soul with hundreds of bikes, dozens of tracks and a whole new level of realism.
RIDE 4 at a glance Released 2020 Studio Milestone S.r.l. Player sentiment 83% positive of 12,391 Price $39.99 RacingSportsFirst-PersonThird PersonDrivingPvPControllerSplit Screen
- 16
Wreckfest
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 6 player tags including Racing, Destruction and Driving; released around the same time (2018).
Wreckfest is a demolition derby themed racing game with soft-body damage modeling, sophisticated driving dynamics and in-depth vehicle upgrading, featuring both demolition derbies and more traditional track races. It’s all about fun, breakneck racing and over-the-top crashes.
Wreckfest at a glance Released 2018 Studio Bugbear Player sentiment 88% positive of 41,452 Price $29.99 RacingDestructionDrivingSportsArcadeThird Person
- 17
Project CARS 2
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 6 player tags including Racing, Driving and Sports; released around the same time (2017).
THE ULTIMATE DRIVER JOURNEY! Project CARS 2 delivers the soul of motor racing in the world’s most beautiful, authentic, and technically-advanced racing game.
Project CARS 2 at a glance Released 2017 Studio Slightly Mad Studios Player sentiment 81% positive of 18,429 Price Not listed RacingDrivingSportsControllerArcadeFirst-Person
- 18
Burnout Paradise
Why it matched: both open world; shares 7 player tags including Racing, Arcade and Driving; published by the same company.
Burnout Paradise Remastered provides the ultimate driving playground for you and your friends to play online. This remaster includes all add-ons from the Year of Paradise, including the Big Surf Island update, meticulously recreated and ready to wreck in 4K.
Burnout Paradise at a glance Released 2008 Studio Criterion Games Player sentiment 63% positive of 8,576 Price $19.99 RacingArcadeDrivingDestructionThird PersonFirst-PersonCombat Racing
- 19
Copa Petrobras de Marcas
Why it matched: both open world; shares 7 player tags including Racing, Sports and Controller; released around the same time (2015).
COPA PETROBRAS DE MARCAS is a 100% free official game simulating the thrill of competing wheel-to-wheel with models from various automakers in some of the main Brazilian race tracks.
Copa Petrobras de Marcas at a glance Released 2015 Studio Reiza Studios Player sentiment 68% positive of 2,903 Price Free RacingSportsControllerFirst-PersonDrivingOnline Co-OpArcade
- 20
High Octane Drift
Why it matched: both open world; shares 7 player tags including Racing, Driving and Sports; released around the same time (2016).
Enter the world of professional competitive drift and win online series amongst hundreds of other players to become the living legend. Buy, tune, trade, unite and conquer the drift scene.
High Octane Drift at a glance Released 2016 Studio Cruderocks Player sentiment 55% positive of 5,879 Price Not listed RacingDrivingSportsControllerOnline Co-OpFirst-PersonArcade
- 21
Forza Motorsport
Why it matched: both open world; shares 7 player tags including Racing, Sports and Driving; released around the same time (2023).
Compete in over 500 cars on 30 world-famous tracks – now featuring the legendary Fujimi Kaido! Play the new 20th Anniversary Tour and obtain special rewards.
Forza Motorsport at a glance Released 2023 Studio Turn 10 Studios Player sentiment 51% positive of 12,730 Price $27.99 RacingSportsDrivingFirst-PersonThird PersonPvPCharacter Customization
- 22
Battlefield 3
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 5 player tags including First-Person, PvP and Destruction; published by the same company.
Enjoy total freedom to fight the way you want. Explore 29 massive multiplayer maps and use loads of vehicles, weapons, and gadgets to help you turn up the heat. Every second of battle gets you closer to unlocking tons of extras and moving up in the Ranks. So get in the action.
Battlefield 3 at a glance Released 2011 Studio DICE Player sentiment 72% positive of 19,290 Price $39.99 First-PersonPvPDestructionControllerOnline Co-Op
- 23
MudRunner
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 5 player tags including Driving, Online Co-Op and Racing; released around the same time (2017).
MudRunner is the ultimate off-road experience putting the players in the driver seat and dares them to take charge of incredible all-terrain vehicles, venturing across extreme Siberian landscapes with only a map and compass as guides!
MudRunner at a glance Released 2017 Studio Saber Interactive Player sentiment 92% positive of 44,003 Price $19.99 DrivingOnline Co-OpRacingFirst-PersonThird Person
- 24
DiRT Rally 2.0
Why it matched: both open world; shares 5 player tags including Racing, Driving and Sports; published by the same company; released around the same time (2019).
DiRT Rally 2.0 dares you to carve your way through a selection of iconic rally locations from across the globe, in the most powerful off-road vehicles ever made, knowing that the smallest mistake could end your stage.
DiRT Rally 2.0 at a glance Released 2019 Studio Codemasters Player sentiment 89% positive of 48,388 Price $19.99 RacingDrivingSportsFirst-PersonController
Common questions
What game is most like Need for Speed Heat?
Need for Speed Rivals, on the evidence we have. It made by the same studio, EA Gothenburg. That is a statement about overlap, not a promise you will like it as much: two games can share every tag and still feel different to play.
How is "similar to Need for Speed Heat" decided?
By overlap on the tags Steam players applied to each game, the formal genres, the themes both sit in, and whether the same studio made them. Tags carry the most weight because players write them, so they describe how a game feels rather than how it was filed. Tags carried by more than a third of the catalogue are ignored: matching on "Singleplayer" is matching on nothing. Every entry below shows exactly what it matched on.
Are these ranked by quality?
No. They are ordered by how much they overlap with Need for Speed Heat. Where two games overlap equally, the better received one goes first, but that only moves a game a place or two. Each entry shows its own player sentiment so you can weigh that separately.
What else did the makers of Need for Speed Heat do?
Need for Speed Rivals, Need for Speed Payback are also from EA Gothenburg, and appear in the list below for that reason as well as on tag overlap.
Do you get paid for these recommendations?
No. The order is computed from tag and genre overlap and nothing else. No placement here can be bought, and a game appearing high on this page is a statement about resemblance rather than an endorsement.