Heat: Heavy Rain Review - Does It Take Off or Jump In a Puddle?

Milla, Joey, and Zee share their opinions on the new expansion to the hit racing game Heat. This box brings us a new racer, two new tracks, and various cards to mix in.
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[@KMReviews]

I think it was such a missed opportunity to have a blue acrylic overlay of rain to add to any track

[@billable1861]

Man that is amazing

[@mattlewis5095]

It's hard not to see things like that coming at some point given its success. It's so British in its look too!

[@hanslamal5632]

So true 👍

[@gregorys9629]

Wow that's actually a great idea.

[@therealBocaStudios]

I mean you could do that and sell it

[@blazing_KC]

Also if I want to play solo mode with 7 cars, I would need to use the orange? Since the orange car is not in those solo cards.

[@alcovitch]

Not talk of the stupidity of not including stickers to add the Chevron icons to old maps? The instructions literally tell you to draw it on the old maps with a sharpy. LOL. COme on guys.

[@bones983]

Kind of shocking to me that it doesn’t come with 2 new cars and a new legends deck for those. That would have made it a must-have for me.

[@Leiderg]

I have to admit I am a bit dissapointed, I wish either both tracks had water for variety with this new mechanic or that they'd gave us something to add that mechanic to any circuit.

[@nithrania]

Speaking from the highest competitive HEAT gaming perspective - all the tracks are very well balanced for the best gameplay, and adding a water spaces to other tracks will make those tracks far less interesting to play, more predictable, and more boring. I know I am in a minority when saying that it's good that the water areas are not added to other tracks. Those other tracks (including Mexico!) are great as they are, added water areas would break them down. Maybe those water areas on other tracks would be thematic, but from the competitive HEAT racing perspective, they would not be interesting and fun to play.

[@boardgamebs]

Speaking from the lowest competitive heat gaming perspective. Aka most people who buy board games. An acrylic could be added or removed at will. So it wouldn't affect competitive play being optional. But give us all a little more variety, if we choose.

[@engi98]

Great review! Japan is my new favorite map in the game, the puddles and chicanes are fun and the map is beautiful. Definitely a bit pricey, but I love everything that came with it. My biggest complaint is that I wish it had come with an 8th player

[@Kapkeh]

Usually I agree with your scores, Zee in particular, so I'm quite surprised we are a bit apart this time. I think Heavy Rain didn't deliver on the hype it created (so the main issue might be my own expectations for this expansion). As you guys mentioned, the "heavy rain" theme isn't implemented in a way it could have. Our gaming group, F1 racing fanatics, really hoped for some extreme weather conditions that could be easily implemented onto the other tracks as well, with a focus on adapting your car to said weather conditions. Not a few blue spaces which result in getting extra heat on a single track. I think this could've been achieved without over complicating the rules. But my biggest drawback at the moment of writing is the pricing of this expansion. I get that you guys don't look at that in such a technical review, but I as a basic consumer do. To me one board and one car just isn't worth the current retail price (70% of the base game at my place). For that price I would've liked to see at least a 2nd car and a new deck of legends cards to complete the empty spots in the base box. It's not a bad expansion, the super coolant is a nice little touch, the new tracks are fine but not exceptional.. it's just a little more of the same experience Heat already has to offer (which standalone already is a great experience). Obviously it's nice to have a few extra tracks for some variety. To me an expansion gets rated depending on how much more joy I get from a game compared to playing the base game only. With that in mind, Heavy Rain just didn't bring enough to the table for its price tag, so it's a 6 in my books.

[@nithrania]

I have to strongly disagree on one point here - in my view the new tracks ARE exceptional. They're not just "fine", they are truly excellent, both of them. Just these two new tracks fully justify the price tag for me because it must have been a lot of work to balance the water areas effects in Japan, and also the chicanes in Mexico, with all possible drafting strategies. You can upgrade your car with cornering cards and get through the chicanes easily, but then struggle on straights, or vice versa, or balance the upgrades, and all cars will have equal chance of winning. The draft very much depends on the weather tokens, too. We had one of the most memorable races in Mexico, and some truly exceptional moves and comebacks in Japan. The expansion is not just one double sided board. It's a lot of development that went into perfectly balanced tracks, which are fun to play, very competitive, and allow for such a versatile draft strategies. And no - I don't want those water areas on other tracks, not even in Mexico, because now Japan is unique and requires totally different racing style than any other track. I am also an F1 fan, but heavy gamer, too. I like that HEAT is not a racing simulation, rather a very fun racing game that emulates the rhythm of the race. And from the gamer's perspective, Heavy Rain delivers a fantastic two new tracks and some super cool (literally) upgrades. Is it too expensive? Maybe. But in my opinion, the price tag is justified.

[@JohnBystrom]

Nice review! I think I would have bought it instantly if it came with two cars. A little disappointed that it was only one.

[@drbasseri]

I guess for me, the value isnt there for me to just pick it automatically. Maybe on a clearance sale or a ding and dent.... but the base game was such a good value, that this seems not enough for the msrp

[@Hidetoshi88]

One more thing is missing - stickers. They force us to draw (sic!) chicanes on boards. Are they joking?

[@Bleuchz]

Its sorta alluded to a bit by Camilla and Zee but the tracks are exceedingly well designed and have a distinct feel. The base box was so generous that it sort of makes the expansion look lesser in comparison but that's more of a testament to the excellent base box; I do wish they included a second car just because of optics but I'm very happy adding this to my box: Mexico in particular is a blast with no additional rules overhead.

[@DrewSmith-sv5tg]

I love the suggested name... Heat: Deep Puddles 🤣

[@AhJong0]

I loved the expansion - its so true that Heat feels readily expanded. Aside from a more involved championship mode, I think that just "more stuff" is a good model: 2 maps, 1 car and 1 new mechanic each expansion works for me. I think Zee's point regarding the corner/weather tiles is a good one and I could see that being one of "new mechanics" they put in. Heat is an absolutely superb game and I think stacking too much on top (as happened with other big hits) can lead to an overbloated experience.

[@Schrogs]

9/10 for an expansion that you “not even feel like you have an expansion” If it changed so little that you might not even realize your playing it, then why would you spend so much money for it

[@halforange1]

Heat Puddle to the Muddle

[@MythicosQc74]

The "Heavy Rain" mismatch between title and game bothers me a lot more than Zee; I really thought that weather would play a huge role. As it is, I'm in no rush to get the expansion.

[@LozNewt]

As others have said, they should have included a rain module to add to any map with overlay tiles. Something easy enough for people to home brew though (looking for someone to do a nice homebrew on BGG)

[@garys4067]

Great review! I'm looking forward to getting this expansion. But true to the way Days of Wonder does business, now that I've decided I want the expansion, it isn't available anywhere. The second run won't be big enough either, so it will sell out immediately again. Aggravating.

[@ozza000]

Hehe I'm like the opposite of Camilla and Joey, I think the Japan track is the best designed track so far, Mexico is fine, but a lot of the players I play with tend to think it starts to drag on too long, I'm not sure it really needed to be 3 laps. Super cool also combos super nicely with any cards with heat cost because you just pay the heat and immediately super cool it back. I think what Zee says hits the nail on the head, it's a good expansion, but it's not essential. I'm not sure any of the expansions ever will be, just by virtue that it's hard to think what they could add that would make them be essential, the expansions are mostly going to be for people who want more track variety.

[@mattlewis5095]

Our Heat came in the post just today and I'll be buying this some point soon just for the extra player! When that matters that matters! I do wish this expansion was a touch cheaper though I must say. I managed to get a good deal on the big box admittedly (good for the UK anyway) but it looks like I'll struggle to find this for less than half of that sadly - ie it's retailing here for the same price as quite a few 'reasonably priced' medium-box games (around 28 quid). But it is what it is I guess.

[@EfrainRiveraJunior]

Heat is on the top of my To-Buy list.

[@redmageviewer]

I think it's missing a bit more content, but my friends love the new maps and the super cooling cards, so I can't really complain. 8.5/10

[@corrado8955]

Easiest pass of an expansion I think in many years. I am an expansion collector too. In fact, with Thunder Road coming soon (a much better game for me) this is on the trade block unless my kids wind up loving the game in the next little while.

[@JonTripp115]

I did sleeve this game, and adding the cards from this game into base insert is already pretty tight. (And even though there are spots for the 7th and 8th car & shifter, there are no such spots for their cards.) We'll see what happens with the inevitable 8th car expansion, but after that I hope it's map packs only unless they have something very clever up their sleeves.

[@AhJong0]

I think is a must sleeve also, however to try and mitigate the amount of space that would take up (plus saving a few sleeves) I've sleeved all the main car decks along with an appropriate amount of heat and stress. Then when we use the garage and/or sponsor cards we sleeve as needed. This has meant everything, except the new board, fits in base box.

[@joelr24]

I agree that the Heavy Rain feel is not really there. Both maps should've had puddles to start, so it seems like a bit of a cop out, not committing to the intended theme of the box. Only one map with it feels wrong. I also had hoped that this would have modular ways to give rain/puddles to any map: just some puddle cards that could go over the track spots to customize racetracks more, with relevant rules modifications like how it'd affect play if placed near corners, or if you hit a certain speed in the straights, etc... Chicanes are a very nice touch though. A pity it doesn't feel like enough to justify buying it.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Biggest problem with this expansion, the value simply isn't there. It's nice stuff but if you doesn't have it, you wouldn't miss it at all. And I don't want more players lengthening the time.

[@cjpeach11]

At 6 players the game is about 90 good minutes of racing. With gear the game hums at like 60 minutes.

[@TheBrokenMeeple]

Exactly, I don't want it to go longer than 90 on rinse repeat mode when you bolt in 7th and 8th players eventually. Usually I'm hesitant for even 5-6 given you have to wait for people to hurry up and decide what cards to use.

[@thedevionne3541]

The price point of this expansion is what causes doubt. The "value" isn't there for the price they're asking.

[@wemf2]

This is weird... an expansion that is not necessary and does not really change the game gets such a high recommendation? How would you evaluate an expansion that really improves the gameplay experience? It becomes an 11?

[@ozza000]

A lot of the disappointment around this expansion centres around the clamour for more stuff, but I do wonder if they'd been more if it wouldn't just risk convoluting the game. There's lots of examples of expansions showing that more =/= better, and that simplicity sometimes leads to some of the best expansions. I also don't really see how it's much different to Ticket to Ride map packs. They tend to offer about the same amount of stuff, and are the same game with a few twists, for around the same price this is, yet people don't tend to complain about the price of those, and most people buying are doing so purely because they want different maps.

[@xCriticalStrikex]

I am very surprised to learn this does not add more dangerous weather tokens to all the other tracks like the "heavy rain" title implies.

[@BoardGamesBricksHobbies]

Jason... Jason... Jason?!! (obvious reference is obvious)

[@soogymoogi]

Glad someone else was on the same wavelength as me.... a man of culture😂

[@TheHEAVYDAN]

Have played Mexico once...got -1 in the 2/2 area...WAS ROUGH!

[@blazing_KC]

Ah so the scorepad is still only up to 6 players?

[@nagredmoonstriker252]

I was disappointed two ways. (1) The original box has slots for EIGHT cars, and Orange only makes seven. Will we have to buy another expansion to get the eighth car? (2) Considering how well the insert of the original box is designed, why can't you put the original and the expansion into the same box and close it flat? Now I have to remove the insert to get the original and new materials all into one box and properly close its lid.

[@UnimatrixOne]

Isn't there an app to build and print your own or (based on original) race tracks?

[@matheuscabral9618]

I don’t think the title is any bad, I think it doesn’t fit because the title is better than the expansion

[@MisterAbysmul]

We are thrilled, more stuff but great stuff with no new giant rule dump. Get it for a discount somewhere and it’s a great addition.

[@STEVETHEN1NJA]

Is it worth getting the expansion for the 7th player? I’m thinking that could be good for big groups, but I’m also a little concerned about down time between turns with that many. Anyone have any experiences at 7 players?

[@nicholasschneider6655]

The scoresheet (shown at 3:47) seems to only show six columns. Is it still only a six-player game, just with seven colours to choose from? On the other hand, it's a race--why is there a scoresheet at all?

[@rogueee]

Looks like you can make it a 12 player game now according to the track poll position… more expansions to come…

[@daveheasman3680]

Incredibly generous score

[@Schrogs]

How is this a 9/10. That means it’s almost a perfect expansion.

[@chuckm1961]

Half inch of lid lift? No thanks. The moment I saw the original box was not really designed to hold additional maps, my attitude was “I hope they don’t make an expansion that I want to grab.” Countdown, by the way, to about three years from now, after a few more expansions, they will be selling Deluxe Heat with all expansions included …

[@kikkoarceo353]

Days of wonder has not historically made a big box with all the expansions for their games

[@fireprism100]

Suprised the wet doesnt make you spin out if you go too fast and lower the cornering speeds

[@CarnageRedemption]

It's an enjoyable expansion but there's one irking quality for me - the scorepad still only has 6 spots on it, despite the fact that the game can now play up to 7 with the additional car. Poor design choice in my opinion.

[@freek204]

I think it's a bit overpriced

[@reubenlopez7821]

can it all fit in the base game box?

[@LordDolor11]

Yes

[@corrado8955]

Addressed in the review substantially

[@Endeva09]

11:45

[@dankfarrik8376]

Seems like a fun expansion but it should be 20 bucks max and i see it around 30.... Too much for me.

[@hanslamal5632]

Weather circumstances should be an expansion with modules to use on ALL tracks that will be ever published! This makes no sense to me, sorry... And yes, it CAN rain in Mexico. This expansion did change my opinion about the game 😊

[@Theplaysthet]

I don't think these scores are justified. This Expansion doesn't add enough change at all for me. I was disappointed. 3/5 for me cause the base is so good but not as good as it could have been.

[@kq76]

You guys are so off on this one. It's a 6, maybe a 7 at best. Judge the expansion, not the base game. DoW dropped the ball on this one.

[@Double_DAW]

Hard disagree. The expansion did exactly what it needed to do considering we already know the expansion roadmap. By the end of this we will have received a total of 12 tracks separate from the base game, 6 cars, a bunch of different upgrades and campaigns, and quite possibly some stuff we still have yet to see. I think considering the game itself didn’t need to be improved upon, simply introducing variety is never a bad thing. For an expansion to hit a 6 it would have to actively make the game worse. 6 is a bad score in the modern lens. This in no conceivable way makes the game worse. At best you have a case with a 7. But for me this is easily an 8/8.5 because all I would have even wanted was extra tracks. The rest of it, as Dice Tower perfectly put it, was nice little extras.

[@arnold2011]

Great review. Day of Wonders are no beginners and didn’t fell in the trap to do supercool and therefore complicated extra rules. Yes, there are people who want more and cooler but usually it ruins the all over game play. Heavy Rain contains extra rules which are simple and easy to understand which follows the spirit of the game. The new tracks are thoughtful designed. Myself love that Japan track. For those who think the expansion is a expensive you’re probably right, but expansions are usually expensive as they don’t sell so well. And no you don’t sell enough more units just by selling at a lower cost. An expansion is essential for a good game. Just fans to the game will buy the expansion anyway.

[@Schrogs]

So it basically added nothing

[@GusG_]

What I feel with this expansion is lazyness and milking the successs. Too expensive for what comes in it

[@kajukuja]

🙂👍

[@joshjenson8111]

Heat is so overrated

[@BeefyChud]

Looks like a nice expansion for a very overhyped game.

[@Theplaysthet]

I think the base game is brilliant, not over hyped for me! All subjective tho of course!

[@matheuscabral9618]

more like a very overhyped expansion for a nice game,

[@DontNickMe]

I don't understand why people rave about this game when Thunder Road exists. Heat is so boring and simple compared to Thunder Road.

[@81BrunoRJ]

Very different games. Like both a lot but prefer hear.

[@ozza000]

Because they're totally different games. Thunder Road is barely even a racing game, it's mostly just about causing as much mayhem as possible, and for some people that's not their jam. There's also far more luck in Thunder Road, and you have far more control over what happens in Heat. Lesser factors, though maybe ones that affect popularity is Thunder Road retail version lacks a bunch of the good stuff, and the deluxe/kickstarter version is very expensive.

[@alcovitch]

Because some people like deck building games and Thunder Road is not that? Just cuse both have cars doesn't make them the same. What a stupid comment.

[@dejavu_d]

Not deck building ​@@alcovitch