In Need for Speed™ Heat, Palm City’s police force will stop at nothing to get racers off the streets. Of course, being one of the latter, you’re destined to get the PCPD hot on your heels. To keep your hard-earned Rep and Bank away from the authorities, prepare for the heat with some words of advice.
You know how getaway drivers in the movies always seem to know the roads like the back of their hands?
Early in the game, Lucas Rivera – former driver-turned-mechanic with a soft spot for newcomers – encourages you to break out from the habit of always going from point A to B in pursuit for the next race. There’s an open world out there; take your time, roam the streets, enjoy the views, explore!
It’s not a bad idea, because while being a pleasant recreational activity in itself, you’ll also get to know all the twists and turns of Palm City. Maybe you’ll discover your next escape route.
Anyone just getting to know Palm City will soon realize that it’s built for illicit street racing. It’s engraved in its DNA. One shouldn’t be surprised when stumbling upon conveniently placed ramps sprinkled throughout the metropolis. After a late night out, they’re the perfect means for getting rid of cops trying to spoil your haul.
Build up some speed, hit the ramp, and jump! Enjoy the adrenaline rush as the flashing lights are left behind.
More complex and dense locations, like the container loading area in Port Murphy or other narrow passages such as alleyways, are great areas to lose the cops. Zigzag your way to freedom!
When ill-intentioned law enforcers have dealt out a barrage of heavy blows to your ride, the neon-lights of a nearby gas station is a sight for sore eyes. A quick drive-through will repair your car, giving you a better chance to shake off the unwanted attention. Keep in mind that you’ll only be able to repair your car three times each night, so don’t stretch the chase for too long!
Your Heat level indicates how badly the PCPD wants to take you down. At the first level, you’ll be chased by a cop who’d honestly rather go for some donuts or is open for a quick bribe to make him go away. But as you keep tearing up the streets at night, the level will rise, bringing more units with better cars, spike strips, and Rhino trucks determined to take you down. Did we mention the helicopters?
When the helicopter hovers above, you’ll need to break its line of sight. Going into a tunnel will do the trick, but there are also buildings around the city providing the needed cover to lay low for a bit. Also, the chopper will eventually need to refuel. Seize these opportunities to shake them off.
Should you call it a night and head back to the garage at the lower levels? Or, do you have the skill and ride to push it further and risk it all? Those questions bring us to the next point.
It might seem obvious, but it’s worth pointing out: the better your car is, the more options you’ll have to get away. With a ride pushing above 200 MPH on the highways, you can simply outrun your pursuers with pure speed. If you want to learn more on how to improve your ride, read our tips and tricks on car performance.
There are also specific upgrades to assist in dealing with the cops. Passive auxiliaries include radar disruptors making it harder for the police to find you, re-inflatable tires, nitrous upgrades, and more. Active auxiliaries such as the kill switch jammer, nitrous refills, and repair kits are helpful tools, too.
That’s it. Next time the cops stand perplexed, we won’t be surprised it’s you.
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