Today we’re diving into the first expansion for Heat: Pedal to the Metal – Heavy Rain from Days of Wonder. If you loved the original game & are wondering whether this expansion is worth adding to your collection, stick around. We’re breaking it down – what it adds, what’s good, what’s bad, & if you should pick it up. Let’s get into it.
What It Adds
Heat: Heavy Rain introduces several exciting new elements to Heat: Pedal to the Metal, starting with the addition of components for a 7th player. This includes an orange car, gear stick, player board, & all the necessary Heat, stress, & player cards, making it easier to expand your racing group. There are also two new double-sided tracks, Japan & Mexico, each bringing distinct challenges. On top of that, new sponsorship & upgrade cards with the “supercool” symbol offer players more flexibility in managing their heat levels during races.
How It Fits
This expansion integrates seamlessly with the base game, keeping the same core mechanics that made Heat so popular. The new tracks—Japan & Mexico—add fresh variety without drastically altering gameplay. While the new cards, tracks, & 7th player components are welcome additions, the expansion doesn’t overhaul the game’s dynamic. It’s perfect for players who want more options & variability but don’t need a complete gameplay overhaul.
The Components
The standout components here are the two new tracks & the orange player pieces. The addition of the 7th player is a nice touch, but some might find it disappointing that Heavy Rain only supports one more player when the base game has space for up to 8. This decision has fueled speculation about a future expansion, which feels a little like an unfinished offering for those hoping for the full 8-player experience.
Visually, the tracks are beautiful. The Japan track, in particular, shines with its flooded sections & thematic bridges. The components maintain the same high-quality production that players expect from Heat, with vibrant colors & sturdy materials.
The Good
Let’s start with the Japan track—this is easily the highlight of the expansion. The heavy rain mechanic, which forces players to manage additional heat costs when downshifting in flooded spaces, adds a fresh layer of strategy. It leads to high-stakes decisions, especially with the track’s tighter corners. The two-lap race also helps keep the game fast-paced, ensuring you stay engaged throughout.
The new “supercool” mechanic in the upgrade cards is another win. Allowing players to remove heat from their discard pile directly addresses one of the base game’s minor frustrations, making heat management smoother & giving players more control over their strategy.
For those who enjoy playing with AI, the updated aggressive AI opponents are a nice touch. The AI now has the ability to clear two corners in one round, adding a bit more unpredictability & challenge to solo or lower-player-count games.
The Bad
While Heavy Rain brings some solid new content, it doesn’t dramatically change the core gameplay, which might leave some players wanting more. The Mexico track, for instance, while visually stunning, doesn’t introduce as many new mechanics compared to the Japan track. Its main feature, the chicanes, is a fun addition but not a game-changer.
The omission of an 8th player component feels like a missed opportunity. Given the base game’s capacity for 8 players, many were expecting both 7th & 8th player pieces in this expansion, so having to wait for yet another expansion to get a full 8-player game is a bit disappointing.
Lastly, there’s the value proposition. At a price point of around $27 or more, some players may question whether the amount of content justifies the cost. While the new tracks, cards, & player components are fun additions, the expansion doesn’t offer enough to feel essential for casual players or those satisfied with the base game.
The Verdict
So, should you buy Heat: Heavy Rain? If you’re a fan of Heat: Pedal to the Metal & are looking for more variety without adding complexity, this expansion is a solid choice. The Japan track stands out with its innovative mechanics, & the new cards provide helpful strategic options. For players who enjoy racing with larger groups, the 7th player component is a nice bonus, even if the 8th player is still MIA.
However, if you’re happy with the base game’s content or aren’t too eager to dive into expansions, you might find this one less compelling, especially considering its price. It doesn’t overhaul the experience—just adds a bit more of what made Heat great in the first place.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to expansions, sometimes they’re game-changers, and other times they’re just more of what you love. For Heat: Pedal to the Metal’s first expansion, Heavy Rain, it lands squarely in the latter category. It doesn’t try to reinvent anything but instead gives you more of what already works—new tracks, new cards, and some fresh mechanics, but nothing too wild. And honestly, that’s exactly what I wanted.
The big draw here is the two new tracks, Japan and Mexico. The Japan track adds rain as a hazard, making it a much more technical challenge with tight turns and tricky chicanes. You’ve got to plan ahead and be precise with your downshifts, or you’ll pay for it. On the flip side, Mexico is all about speed, with long straightaways and some hairpin corners that still keep you on your toes. They feel different enough from each other, and both bring something fresh to the game without overcomplicating the flow.
One of the standout features in Heavy Rain is the introduction of the “supercool” symbol on the new cards. This lets you recover heat directly from your discard pile, which can really help you take bigger risks and recover faster. It’s a neat little tweak that adds some extra strategy, especially when paired with the new tracks where managing heat is even more crucial. It doesn’t drastically change the game, but it enhances what’s already there in a satisfying way.
The expansion also tosses in a new car—orange if that’s your thing—and some extra cards to expand the deck customization options. Is it groundbreaking? No. But it’s nice to have a bit more variety, especially if you’re playing with friends who want to mix things up a little.
That said, if you’re expecting some mind-blowing new content, Heavy Rain might not hit that mark for you. The tracks and cards are fun, and the new mechanics are cool, but it doesn’t radically alter the core gameplay. It’s an expansion that sticks closely to what made the base game enjoyable. If you loved the base game and just want more of it, this is for you. But if you’re looking for something that shakes up how you approach Heat, this won’t be it.
At the end of the day, Heavy Rain does exactly what a first expansion should do—it builds on the solid foundation of the base game without overcomplicating things. It’s a smooth addition that doesn’t force itself into the spotlight but rather integrates nicely into the experience you already enjoy. If you’re a fan of Heat and want to expand your options, this is a solid buy if you don’t mind the price point. But if you’re content with what’s in the base box, there’s no urgency to rush out and grab it.
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