Unremarkable Open World
Vile Gambling Systems
Throwaway Characters
Need for Speed Payback is a roadblock for the franchise. A grindy progression system backs up mediocre driving, a lifeless open world, and forgettable storytelling.
Need for Speed Payback
60
Top Critic Average
16%
Critics Recommend
Eurogamer
No Recommendation
PC Gamer
53 / 100
IGN
5.9 / 10
GamesRadar+
3.5 / 5
Game Informer
6 / 10
Polygon
6.5 / 10
GameSpot
5 / 10
Hardcore Gamer
4 / 5
Creators: Electronic Arts
Release Date: Nov 10, 2017 - PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5
Please note: This game has monetized random reward mechanics, commonly referred to as "loot boxes." These mechanics are similar to gambling and are being investigated by Belgium's Gaming Commission, the Netherlands Gaming Authority, and other government bodies.
Need for Speed Payback Review Summary
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Critic Reviews for Need for Speed Payback
Need for Speed returns in this, a grossly unremarkable open world racer that marks another step back for the series.
Enjoyable arcade handling packaged within a game that gets monotonous long before it rewards your time investment.
Need for Speed Payback is a big, competent, and confident arcade racer but it's really let down by its linear cop chases, its overwrought and insidious upgrade system, its dreadful dialogue, and its superficial action sequences. It feels fine and it looks flashy, but Payback really went all-in on its direct-to-DVD revenge tale and it was a bust for me.
Need for Speed Payback successfully returns to its Fast and Furious roots with aplomb, but a focus on the grind and a beautiful but empty world means it ultimately falls short of greatness.
This open world has plenty of racing content, but bad progression, technical problems, and throwaway storytelling make it hard to get invested
Need For Speed Payback doesn't do many favors for itself. It's a fun racing game whose flashy story would be fine if I felt like I was building a blinged-out career worthy of it. Instead, I felt driven toward pure stats upgrades, heedless of what the car was or what it looked like.
Dull and uninspired, with a relentless emphasis on grinding, Need for Speed Payback is neither fast nor furious.
EA and Ghost Games set out to make the quintessential Need for Speed by bringing in aspects that worked in the past and has mostly succeeded.
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