Need for Speed: Payback
Nov 10, 2017 9 years ago
"This explosive adventure is filled with intense heist missions, high stakes car battles, epic cop pursuits and jaw dropping set pieces. It’s blockbuster gameplay never before seen from the series, fueled by a gripping story of betrayal and revenge. With Need for Speed: Payback, it’s no longer just about being the first to cross the finish line or racing to prove to be the best, it’s about building the perfect ride, getting behind the wheel and playing out an action driving fantasy. Set in the underworld of Fortune Valley, players will drive as three distinct characters reunited by a quest for vengeance against The House, a nefarious cartel that rules the city’s casinos, criminals and cops. They will take on a variety of challenges and events as Tyler, the Racer; Mac, the Showman; and Jess, the Wheelman to earn the respect of the underground. Featuring the deepest customization from the series, players can truly craft a personalized and unique ride, or spend hours finding and tuning an abandoned derelict into a supercar. They can then push their cars to the limit and raise the stakes by betting on their own performance, where they can either multiply their winnings or risk losing it all."
What it’s like
Need for Speed: Payback transforms the racing genre into a high-octane action blockbuster set in the neon-drenched Fortune Valley. The experience centers on a revenge narrative where players control three distinct drivers—Tyler, Mac, and Jess—to dismantle a corrupt cartel known as The House. Rather than traditional circuit racing, the game emphasizes 'Heists,' cooperative multi-stage missions that blend driving with third-person combat against police forces and rival gangs. The core loop revolves around aggressive customization; players scavenge wrecked vehicles to build unique machines, utilizing a risk-reward betting system to earn in-game currency. Visually, it delivers a stylized, cinematic aesthetic with dramatic lighting and explosive set pieces. While the story provides structure through its chapters of betrayal and retribution, the true draw is the visceral feedback of drifting, ramming opponents, and evading increasingly aggressive law enforcement in an open world designed for chaotic freedom.
Strong in CombatAudio / MusicDifficulty / ChallengeGameplay / MechanicsPacingProgression / ReplayabilityVisuals / Art
Keep in mind The narrative is often criticized for being generic and melodramatic, lacking the depth expected from a story-driven title. Additionally, the game's reliance on microtransactions for car customization parts and its technical performance issues at launch may detract from the experience for purists.
AI-generated from catalog data.
Screenshots
Releases
| Platform | Region | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PC (Microsoft Windows) | Worldwide | Full release | Nov 10, 20179 years ago |
| PlayStation 4 | Worldwide | Full release | Nov 10, 20179 years ago |
| Xbox One | Worldwide | Full release | Nov 10, 20179 years ago |
