Need for Speed Payback

85%
Game Brain Score Based on 6,110 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Need for Speed Payback Game Cover
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In Need for Speed™ Payback, players explore the criminal underworld of Fortune Valley to take down the ruling cartel, "The House," through exciting heist missions, car battles, and high-stakes challenges. Customize and upgrade a variety of unique vehicles, and evade the authorities in high-speed chases. The game offers an adrenaline-pumping action-driving experience with a compelling story of revenge and redemption.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

85%
Audience ScoreBased on 6,110 reviews
story532 positive mentions
optimization40 negative mentions
  • story1,576 mentions

    The story of "Need for Speed: Payback" is often described as cheesy and predictable, drawing comparisons to the "Fast and Furious" franchise. While some players appreciate the engaging narrative and character dynamics, others criticize it for being shallow and filled with cringe-worthy dialogue. Overall, the story serves as a backdrop for the racing experience, with mixed opinions on its execution and depth, but it generally keeps players invested throughout the campaign.

    • “The game's story is engaging, and the graphics and physics are impressive.”
    • “The story follows three protagonists as they seek revenge on a criminal organization.”
    • “The story is over the top and cinematic, so it's enjoyable.”
    • “The story is so bad I've seen budget movies that filled the plot more than this.”
    • “The story is boring, brings nothing new to the table and both story sequences and cutscenes seem to lack a ton of polish and heart.”
    • “The story is cringe-worthy, full of bi-dimensional characters and annoying catch-phrases.”
  • graphics545 mentions

    The graphics in "Need for Speed Payback" are generally praised for their impressive visuals and attention to detail, particularly in car models and environments, making it visually appealing even years after its release. Many players appreciate the vibrant art style and dynamic weather effects, although some note that the graphics can feel outdated compared to newer titles. Overall, the game is considered to have solid graphics that enhance the racing experience, despite occasional performance issues and graphical bugs.

    • “The visuals are jaw-dropping, with smooth textures, vibrant colors, and realistic lighting effects.”
    • “Need for Speed Payback boasts impressive visuals and detailed car models.”
    • “The graphics are stunning, the car customization options are extensive, and the storyline keeps you hooked until the very end.”
    • “First of all, you launch the game... you don't see anything, no menu, no choice of anything... the game launches straight to story mode, without the ability to change the settings, the controls, the graphics, the languages, nothing... then you start racing, no controls are shown, what to press, how to drift, how to change the view... and pressing esc won't do anything, so I thought just pass the first mission with weird controls and bad graphics, and I'll adjust them later... about 10-15 minutes later, the prologue ends!”
    • “They put the pause button on the tab key, and I figured that out after pressing every key on my keyboard... I adjusted the controls, the graphics, etc... my monitor is 3440x1440, and the game supports it, but only in gameplay; the pause menu is weirdly stretched, and the cinematics have big black bars on the sides, even though the cinematic could be full screen...”
    • “The graphics are all right, although this takes a toll on performance (the game doesn't run so well, even on recent hardware).”
  • gameplay457 mentions

    The gameplay of "Need for Speed Payback" is a mixed bag, with many players praising its fast-paced racing mechanics, diverse event types, and extensive car customization options. However, criticisms arise regarding the frustrating upgrade system tied to a loot box mechanic, inconsistent driving controls, and a lack of engaging story elements. Overall, while the game offers enjoyable arcade racing experiences, it is marred by some design choices that detract from the overall fun.

    • “The driving mechanics are well-tuned, providing a satisfying and immersive experience.”
    • “This game delivers an exhilarating open-world experience with a diverse range of events, stunning visuals, and satisfyingly fast-paced gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is a perfect blend of arcade fun and strategic choices.”
    • “Driving mechanics are worse than most mobile games.”
    • “The gameplay consists of the usual brake-to-drift physics, making every car an understeer monster, fighting you at almost every corner and taking both the control and the fun out of driving your car, no matter the upgrades.”
    • “The slot machine mechanic to upgrade your cars is utter trash and makes the game worthless.”
  • music199 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players enjoying the variety and energy of the soundtrack, while others criticize it as repetitive or lacking in quality. Many users noted that the selection leans heavily towards hip-hop and pop, which may not appeal to all players, leading some to prefer listening to their own music instead. Overall, while there are standout tracks, the general consensus is that the soundtrack is hit-or-miss, with a significant number of players finding it underwhelming.

    • “The soundtrack is really nice and the game's sound mixing is also a blessing.”
    • “From adrenaline-fueled rock tracks to pulsating electronic beats, the game's music keeps players pumped up and ready for action.”
    • “Amazing story, soundtrack, map and selection of cars and types of races.”
    • “Very bad music selection.”
    • “I hate the music - for me, it's ear rape - but that's just a taste thing.”
    • “The music soundtrack is even worse than terrible... I actually don't remember ever playing a game with such a lousy soundtrack.”
  • optimization185 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues such as stuttering and high CPU usage, even on modern hardware. While some users noted smooth performance during gameplay, the controversial RNG-based card system for performance upgrades has been widely criticized for complicating the upgrade process and detracting from the overall experience. Overall, the game's optimization appears to be a major drawback, overshadowing its extensive customization options and visual appeal.

    • “Players can customize their cars with a wide range of performance upgrades and visual modifications.”
    • “The car customization options are extensive, allowing you to fine-tune your vehicles for optimal performance and style.”
    • “Payback maintains a smooth and consistent performance, even during high-speed races and intense action sequences.”
    • “Very, very, very, very bad optimization with lots of stutters.”
    • “The performance is terrible and it lags constantly, even on modern higher-end hardware that's 3 years newer than the game itself.”
    • “The optimization is not great in this game, with frames dropping for every action.”
  • grinding109 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received significant criticism, with many players noting that it requires excessive repetition of events to earn upgrades and unlock vehicles, often feeling tedious and frustrating. The reliance on a randomized upgrade system and loot boxes further exacerbates the grind, leading to a perception that progress is artificially prolonged. While some players appreciate the complexity of the upgrade mechanics, the overall sentiment is that the grinding detracts from the enjoyment of the game.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “There are microtransactions to make this easier, but not worth it since it’s not too grindy in my opinion.”
    • “The redeeming quality is that it's not too grindy; the game showers you in tokens and package drops.”
    • “The story, graphics, and cars are good, but it's the upgrading method that ruins this game; it's just so annoying grinding and mostly praying to gods for luck so you could get a part that you need.”
    • “Did they seriously believe that players would enjoy grinding the same race over and over again just to get some useless card for the same upgrade category repeatedly?”
    • “The most fun and well-designed events are a few, and the game mostly consists of really tedious races and escapes and cutscenes and boredom.”
  • monetization55 mentions

    The monetization in Need for Speed Payback has drawn significant criticism for its reliance on microtransactions and loot boxes, which many players feel detracts from the overall gaming experience. While some users report that these microtransactions can be ignored and do not heavily impact gameplay, the general sentiment is that the game's progression system is overly reliant on grinding and pay-to-win mechanics, leading to frustration among players. Overall, the monetization practices are viewed as a major flaw in an otherwise enjoyable racing game.

    • “Despite being an actually fun NFS game, Need for Speed Payback is dragged down by its egregious monetization system.”
    • “Microtransactions are in there but can be ignored completely.”
    • “I never had to grind for anything and those microtransactions that are hidden inside there somewhere are non-intrusive and not needed at all.”
    • “On top of that, there are microtransactions for cards, which is pretty much the lowest I've seen in a Need for Speed game.”
    • “Despite being an actually fun NFS game, Need for Speed Payback is dragged down to hell by its terrible monetization system.”
    • “NFS: Payback is full of defects, such as the boring story, highly repetitive missions, useless open world design, and annoying microtransactions.”
  • humor28 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with players appreciating the cheesy one-liners and funny moments, particularly in multiplayer and community interactions. While some find the dialogue and story elements amusing, others criticize certain comedic attempts as cringe-worthy. Overall, the game offers a lighthearted experience with plenty of opportunities for laughter, especially through its quirky characters and unexpected gameplay scenarios.

    • “Very good game! I like the black England dude; he's chill and funny.”
    • “The cheesy one-liners are hilarious (I mean, it's so bad that it's hilarious!).”
    • “I find myself laughing more than cringing.”
    • “It doesn't make me feel like I'm beating a cool race against an interesting rival; it makes me feel like I'm listening to the most unfunny comedy routine in recent memory.”
    • “The jokes fall flat and often feel forced, leaving me cringing instead of laughing.”
    • “I expected clever humor, but instead, I got a series of tired clichés that missed the mark completely.”
  • stability28 mentions

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting various bugs and glitches, including audio issues, visual glitches, and occasional freezes during gameplay. While some players have experienced a mostly bug-free experience, others have faced significant stability problems, including crashes and performance issues, particularly on certain hardware setups. Overall, the game's stability appears to be inconsistent, with a notable divide between those who find it enjoyable despite the bugs and those who are frustrated by the technical shortcomings.

    • “The visuals are great, the driving feels good for the most part, and along with the surprisingly solid technical performance, it's also been a mostly bug-free experience for me.”
    • “Runs great on the deck!”
    • “The racing is fun, the graphics look gorgeous, and it runs great after disabling V-Sync in-game and using NVIDIA V-Sync plus a 60fps frame limiter.”
    • “The audio is horrible and constantly glitches or cuts out entirely.”
    • “While being in a story mission, the game occasionally freezes even though it has current hardware to rely on... such as an RTX 3070, a 6-core CPU, and 32 GB DDR4 2666MHz RAM.”
    • “It's okay, but the launching is so buggy that sometimes the game won't launch at all.”
  • replayability22 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while players appreciate the variety of racing modes, multiplayer options, and the fun of collecting cars and achievements, some find the core gameplay dull and lacking in variety. The card rolling system and modding capabilities offer some replay value, but the short storyline and limited exploration may deter those seeking extensive replayability. Ratings range from fair to very good, indicating a diverse experience for some, while others feel it falls short.

    • “Players can compete in various racing modes and events, adding significant replay value.”
    • “The controls are smooth, the graphics are breathtaking, and the multiplayer mode adds endless replay value.”
    • “Short story line, otherwise fun game with plenty of replayable events.”
    • “If you don't plan on exploring the map or doing collectibles, then the replayability may be little to none here.”
    • “If you're looking for a lot of replayability and a decent storyline, you're not getting that here.”
    • “❎ fair: some replay value, but lacks variety.”
  • emotional15 mentions

    Overall, players find the emotional engagement in "Need for Speed: Payback" to be lacking, with many describing the story as boring and devoid of depth. While some moments, like character interactions, provide a slight sense of investment, the overwhelming sentiment is that the game fails to evoke meaningful emotions, leaving players feeling disconnected and unimpressed.

    • “The car stealing and some cutscenes made me feel I was playing as Dominic Toretto at times.”
    • “When Tyler said 'it's payback time,' I cried and pooped my pants.”
    • “Getting to play three different characters who all cooperate and communicate throughout the game made me feel more invested than I'd typically feel with the nameless self-insert found in other racing games.”
    • “The most boring story I have yet to experience, and all the cars feel the same except for the drift cars.”
    • “Overall, I feel that EA has killed some great features here and brought about a boring story that you're not invested in.”
    • “Cringe characters, annoying dialogue, boring story, cutscenes that take too long to let you skip them.”
  • atmosphere13 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game is generally praised for its alignment with the soundtrack and visual aesthetics, creating an engaging experience that resonates well with players. However, some reviews note that the atmosphere can feel lacking compared to previous titles, particularly criticizing the reliance on current music and the absence of the classic "Need for Speed" spirit. Overall, while many appreciate the graphics and immersive elements, there are mixed feelings about how well the atmosphere enhances the gameplay experience.

    • “The cars outshine everything else in the game, customization feels really good here, and the overall atmosphere feels right in this game.”
    • “I have no desire to revisit this title unlike 2015, despite its problems, it is very fun and nails down the atmosphere perfectly.”
    • “The best game in this series, I can say without a doubt that it is 'Payback'. The atmosphere, the effects, the graphics, and the landscapes make you feel the game at the highest level of competition that a car racing game can offer.”
    • “The soundtrack is another thing that fits the atmosphere of the game.”
    • “I don't know why the developers feel bound to use only current music, because the atmosphere and visuals would lend themselves to songs from all eras.”
    • “Although there is no atmosphere or the spirit of Need for Speed in it, the whole thing is surprisingly good, and the final effect is spoiled mainly by the forced microtransaction system, tedious grinding, infantile scenario, and Polish dubbing.”
  • character development5 mentions

    Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it shallow and lacking depth, particularly regarding the antagonist's portrayal. While a few appreciate certain aspects of character development, overall feedback suggests that it could benefit from more thorough execution to enhance player engagement.

    • “The character development is also nice.”
    • “However, the execution of the story and character development feels shallow at times, lacking the depth needed to fully engage players.”
    • “I'm in chapter 3 and the character development of the antagonist felt a bit off, like the developers could do better with it even if it increases the amount of time to finish it.”
    • “Character development is shallow.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Need for Speed Payback

Play time

15hMedian play time
36hAverage play time
6-36hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 27 analyzed playthroughs

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