Platforms
- PCNov 10, 20177.3playscore6.310 Critics8.21.61K Players
- PlayStation 4Nov 10, 20177.2playscore6.631 Critics8.064.1K Players
- Xbox OneNov 10, 20177.0playscore6.125 Critics8.7446 Players
52 critic reviews · 32 community reviews across all platforms
Critic Reviews
- Need For Speed Payback is the perfect example of one step forward, two steps back. While the world is more beautiful than any of its predecessors, it feels empty in much the same way that the game does. All of the systems seem to be their own worst enemy.
Noah Buttner · Nov 25, 2017 Reviewed on XB1Read full review - Need for Speed Payback is a real-world example of microtransactions gone wrong. As an open world racer, the game’s inoffensively average – but when paired with its bafflingly bad progression system, it’s frankly an embarrassment. It’s scary to think that publishers are quite literally sabotaging their own games in pursuit of a bonus buck or two these days.
Sammy Barker · Nov 16, 2017 Reviewed on PS4Read full review - Need for Speed Payback is a good open world arcade racer that's essentially ruined by one feature that turns it all into a grind.
Richard Seagrave · Nov 16, 2017 Reviewed on XB1Read full review - What Payback does well is what the series has always excelled at: satisfying arcade handling and a sense of speed. The exterior view’s camera sells you a sense of danger and being on the edge of control, and simply being in control of a car feels weighty and compelling.
Phil Iwaniuk · Nov 16, 2017 Reviewed on PCRead full review - Need for Speed Payback is a victim of both progression issues and design choice. The driving and actual gameplay is still fun and well done. There’s actually a very good open world racing game in here, it’s just bogged down by level progression and needless grinding that is only there to extend the gameplay time and to get people to spend real money to potentially get upgrades for the cars.
Drew Leachman · Nov 15, 2017 Reviewed on XB1Read full review - Need for Speed Payback is a solid entry to the series, and although it’s not the best, it’s certainly high up on the list. The gameplay is tight, responsive and surprisingly accessible whilst remaining challenging throughout. The story may well indeed be basic in its delivery, but the plot does prove to be energetic and exhilarating nevertheless, however it is sadly held back slightly by a poorly voiced cast of forgettable characters.
Mark Sherwood · Nov 14, 2017 Reviewed on XB1Read full review - Need For Speed Payback is a mixed bag. One the one hand it’s a fun arcade racer with great customization, a wide range of cars and race styles and some truly great single player moments. Yet with the other hand holding an underwhelming multiplayer experience, lather, rinse repeat story missions, and some awkward storytelling pacing, NFS never seems to hit top gear in its goal to capture the glory of the old days.
Matt Keith · Nov 14, 2017 Reviewed on PS4Read full review - Need for Speed Payback is an all-around miss for the franchise. The racing feels good, the presentation feels great, but everything surrounding it is absolutely abhorrent.
Bill Hess · Nov 13, 2017 Reviewed on XB1Read full review - I had the sense I was playing a mobile spinoff rather than another main entry in a storied racing franchise. None of the currency management and trading card collecting contributes to what little fun there is to be had racing cars. Even with virtually no competition on the market today, I’d recommend countless decade old arcade racers over this clunky mess of a game.
Alex Santa Maria · Nov 13, 2017 Reviewed on XB1Read full review - Based on its world and racing alone, Need for Speed Payback was a lot of fun.But where Payback really disappointed is in its progression system. I miss the days of simply driving to races, placing, earning money, using that money to upgrade my car and in
Mike Splechta · Nov 13, 2017 Reviewed on PS4Read full review
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Community Reviews
- Reviewed on PS4
- Reviewed on PC
- Reviewed on PS4
- Reviewed on PS4
- Reviewed on PC
- Rated on PC
- Rated on PC,PS4
- Rated on PS4
- Rated on PS4
- Rated on PC
About the game
Trailers & Screenshots:
Need for Speed Payback is a racing game set in an open world environment. It will be focused on "action driving" and will have the three playable characters (each with different sets of skills) working together to pull off action movie like sequences. It will also feature dynamic weather system and day-night cycle which affects the gameplay. Unlike the 2015 Need for Speed reboot, Payback will include an offline single-player mode.
Developer: Ghost Games