Surprise! Need for Speed: Payback is out this week on the PlayStation 4. You may not have realised because EA has seemingly completely forgotten about the racer as well. And early reviews aren’t looking stellar at the time of typing. In a unique twist that never ever happens during the holiday period, we’re still waiting for our review copy to arrive. We hope to bring you our verdict soon.
Hardcore Gamer - 8/10
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. The unnecessary narrative ultimately holds the game back, but it’s a blast once the world is made available to the player. The off-road racing is addicting and the search for Derelicts could remain a mainstay with the franchise moving forward. This is much less of a CAR-PG than the previous game, as players will be able to build a great library of cars much quicker. Add to this an excellent livery editor and community features, and the core elements of Need for Speed Payback will keep fans playing for quite a while.
The Games Machine - 6/10
The new Need for Speed has some serious problems that need to be addressed: mainly, the over-use of loot boxes (and microtransactions) and a broken progression system that relies too much on randomness and grinding. The story is cringe-worthy, full of bi-dimensional characters and annoying catch-phrases. All that being said, the arcade driving model is accessible and extremely fun as always, and the open world is pretty big and full of activities that can keep the player engaged for a long while. Oh, and you're going to spend plenty of time in the garage pimping your ride.
GameSpot - 5/10
Need for Speed Payback's banal racing is only magnified by this focus on grinding. The simple, almost retro, handling model provides occasional bouts of fun, but it's never enough to escape Payback's flaws, with an unwillingness to let you partake in its most hair-raising moments, and a general drabness that seeps into every layer of the game. Fast and Furious, this is not; and that's a disappointing outcome.
Will you be putting your foot down and giving this new Need for Speed a go? Shave your head like Vin Diesel and head to the gym in the comments section below.
Comments 31
Gamespot is going down and down on scores until there is a game that gets 0
That's a shame. I'll wait to read and watch some more reviews, but initially it's not looking very promising.
There are such a dearth of really good arcade racers on the PS4 that I feel there's room for a hit, but it doesn't seem like anyone has any interest in making it, which is a shame.
@get2sammyb Onrush from the ex-Evolution team looks good from its reveal trailer. I've got high hopes for that one.
@Quintumply was just about to bring that up. That game looks awesome.
@get2sammyb Absolutely how I feel too. Seems like EA have really missed an opportunity here.
Instead of GT Sport or this I've decided to get Baja racing instead! It may be a generation (or two?) old but at least it looks fun, has no micro-transactions and is only £20!
@Dodoo Probably a decent shout. Which shows how dire the situation has become.
Loot boxes yay.
Where is Burnout?
Ay Caramba ... Loot boxes and microtransactions? Splendid. I know how this is going to end. I’ve seen this show before.
Burnout 2 & 3 reissued as PS2 classics please SONY
Inb4 EA shuts down Ghost Games.
We need new ridge racer, with story mode like ps1 rr type 4
"mainly, the over-use of loot boxes (and microtransactions) and a broken progression system that relies too much on randomness and grinding."
Where are the 'its optional' crowd now?
What happened to Criterion?
I was never a big fan of Need For Speed (always preferred sims or kart racers) but still kinda disappointing that this turned out to be so average.
@Futureshark Yay for you mentioning Burnout 2 instead of Paradise! Is the highlight of the series for me. Loved it.
Despite it receiving average reviews so far, I’m still going to give this a go because I like what I’ve seen of it but if it turns out to be average and sells like the previous two Need For Speeds, I wouldn’t be surprised if EA puts the franchise on hold indefinitely.
@get2sammyb maybe Onrush can fill this void?
There's a track on GT Sport that has a massive jumbo flying over as you race and I always think I'm playing Ridge Racer. Come back Ridge Racer.
Sigh. Another one for the lootbox = no buy pile. It's starting to get really easy to deal with the backlog.
That's why Evolution will be missed so much, they could create amazing arcade racing games exclusively on PS4.
Terrible decision made by Sony, we could play Driveclub 2 or Motorstorm.
@PS_Nation They're now making OnRush, so... rejoice!
Loot box and grindfesting? Yeuch. Two negative words which make me shun or think twice before buying a game. So thankful for review sites!
I was hoping that after a (much-needed) year off that NFS may have come back revitalised and all the better for it, as with AC Origins. Alas, it seems this isn't the case
EA is the new LJN 😆
Need For Speed - Pay Back the title says its self or should it be Need For Speed - Buy Back (content that you can't earn in the game so buy it instead via a loot box)
While some elements are annoying its not a terrible racer imo. The actual racing itself is a blast, i HIGHLY recommend turning down the voice over though. Gets real annoying real fast. Hopefully the take another year off to reinvent and dont try to churn out another one next November. I am enjoying it though tbh, couldve been so much more however.
They’ve never topped need for speed hot pursuit 2 yet!! That was the best!! And NO dlc!
@Dodoo
Yes indeed, imho it also had the best boost noise out of the whole series too!
Pftttmeeeeeeeeewwwhh!! (or something like that
@Futureshark Ahh come on EA could atleast make a remake/remaster.
@PS_Nation We had enough chances to get them but the games did not sell good enough
@get2sammyb Make a new Burnout...
@zazzy With a story line ripped from Jason Bourne. Now that would awesome
Tap here to load 31 comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...