Need for Speed Payback Review

Need for Speed may have lost some of its luster in recent years. But it is still one of the biggest names in the racing genre. Many franchises have shifted in an attempt to become as realistic as possible, making racers more like simulators. But EA has rigidly kept this series as arcade-like as they can.

Released in 2017, Need for Speed Payback is no different. It is all about keeping the accelerator pressed firmly down and drifting through turns in the most stylish way possible. Need for Speed games are meant for fun rather than realism. They are designed to be picked up and played by practically anyone.

At this point, though, it appears as if the series is starting to show its age. From the very outset of this title, it is obvious that the developers have taken inspiration directly from Fast & Furious. But it feels more like a desperate attempt to stay relevant rather than a truly great hook.

Gameplay

The racing itself is perfectly fine. It follows the same basic gameplay as the rest of the series. Although, the handling has been made a bit less precise. I would guess this is an attempt to make Payback more accessible by getting rid of some of the challenge in controlling the car.

Vehicles also feel as if they have less weight and a reduced amount of power. In that sense, collisions just do not have the impact that they have had in previous Need for Speed games.

There are all kinds of customization and tuning options available to players, although they can prove pricey. This is a staple of the Need for Speed franchise and it is done just as well here.

The fact that the racing can be so difficult means that you likely won’t experience as many vehicles. Upgrading several cars becomes a problem as the costs quickly mount up. It forces you to make a decision. Do you grind races over and over to get the necessary funds to maintain a bigger garage? Or do you stick to making one vehicle as good as it can be?

Rating System

It seems that the developers recognized this was an issue, as they have a vehicle rating system for events. This number sets a minimum value that they recommend your own car meets before you enter the race. Matching it means that you can competitively race against the other drivers, while anything lower leaves you with no chance of keeping up.

This rating is attached to every event, including things like drift challenges, so you have a good idea of whether you have the ability to beat an event before you enter it. Of course, meeting the minimum requirements doesn’t guarantee success, so you will have to replay most of them at least a few times before coming away victorious.