Need for Speed Payback

 PlayStation 4
User Score
4.3

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 1372 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 426 out of 1372
  2. Mixed: 202 out of 1372
  3. Negative: 744 out of 1372
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  1. marick333
    Sep 4, 2023
    6
    I don't know who thinks cards are for performance parts, but gameplay is nicer and improved over precedesor. But the idea of cards for performance cards is so stupid.
  2. Visitbr
    Aug 15, 2023
    6
    o jogo em sí é divertido, mas o conteúdo meio paia, os gráficos são defasados para a época, as mecânicas são péssimas.
  3. Killerpummkin
    Aug 10, 2023
    7
    I don't know why this game is being criticised so harshly, maybe it's because I got it for free on PS+ and it's already patched. And I played it with no hopes or expectations.
  4. Davidnotavailab
    Jul 1, 2023
    6
    Meh, some races are pretty cool, but in rest its just alright, decent ammount of cars, decent open world, but yeah its nowhere near forza
  5. gaset04
    Jun 19, 2023
    5
    Payback is another micro-transaction game made by EA. It's also the same, a game with a good graphics and music but they are not able to make a great narrative. It's MEH which missions are Ok but most it exceed. They shouldn't create three main characters --> EA have tried the same idea as GTA but it fails.
    Apart from that, it has bugs that harm the plot. I'm sure many of players don't    Payback is another micro-transaction game made by EA. It's also the same, a game with a good graphics and music but they are not able to make a great narrative. It's MEH which missions are Ok but most it exceed. They shouldn't create three main characters --> EA have tried the same idea as GTA but it fails.
    Apart from that, it has bugs that harm the plot. I'm sure many of players don't finish the game.    … Expand
  6. SemmelMerlin
    May 1, 2023
    6
    The game looks extremely bad in its ps4 pro version on the ps5. Checkerboard rendering was extremely poorly implemented and it flickers at every corner. Tuning the cars with collectible cards is not a good solution for me either. The game is still fun though which is why I give it an average 6 point rating.
  7. infraRecon
    Mar 17, 2023
    6
    Slightly better than 2015, but ruined by Micro-Transactions and Loot boxes, putting randomized card stats into my engine bay is not fun.
  8. Kostas_Spirou
    Dec 29, 2021
    6
    I genuinely enjoyed this game, the handling is satisfying and the cars actually feel really good to drive.

    Car customization is great, there are many customization options, but upgrading your car can sometimes be frustrating because it's randomly generated, what were they thinking. I also disliked how the game forces you to play game modes that you don't want to, Off-Road in this game is    I genuinely enjoyed this game, the handling is satisfying and the cars actually feel really good to drive.

    Car customization is great, there are many customization options, but upgrading your car can sometimes be frustrating because it's randomly generated, what were they thinking.

    I also disliked how the game forces you to play game modes that you don't want to, Off-Road in this game is straight up bad because the car feels very slippery, and Drag racing is very boring.

    And of course, the story mode... is just not good, the characters are cringey and the plot is dumb.

    Even though the game clearly has some issues, I can't deny the fact that I had a lot of fun.

    Final Rating: "Decent" ~ 6/10.    … Expand
  9. RatchetClank111
    Dec 19, 2022
    5
    Would honestly give this game a 4.5/10, but I'll round up to a 5/10 just because I don't think the game is that bad to be a negative score.

    However, there are a lot of things that just kind of ruin the game overall. Pros - Good variety of cars, although some locked by microtransactions. - Overall map layout isn't bad, but too much desert terrain - For the most part I liked the    Would honestly give this game a 4.5/10, but I'll round up to a 5/10 just because I don't think the game is that bad to be a negative score.

    However, there are a lot of things that just kind of ruin the game overall.

    Pros
    - Good variety of cars, although some locked by microtransactions.
    - Overall map layout isn't bad, but too much desert terrain
    - For the most part I liked the driving mechanics/controls well

    Cons
    - didn't like the overall story as the main characters are really just knockoff characters for fast and furious....and the voice acting isn't good and which is made worse by the cringe dialogue, like not every conversation needs to have forced one liners or a joke or comeback..... it just gets really old
    -The biggest issue I had with the game is that really once u get about halfway done with the story, you really have done all of what the game has to offer, and the story isn't really good enough to continue playing.
    - You have sprint, drag, off-road, and drift challenges to complete to advance the story, and that leads to like a mission/cutscene event. Now the events are actually somewhat cool although scripted and it's cool how the crew comes together. But these are very few and makes you wish the game was more like that. and you have to spend hours doing these individual races/challenges against rival groups. The issue with this is that sprint and drag racing are fine enough and didn't have too many complaints, but the offroad just feels too difficult as it's hard to control the car and easy to wreck due to rocks and other barriers. The drifting challenges are too lengthy and not that fun at all.

    overall the game is okay for a few hours before it just gets repetitive, game is fine for few dollars, but paying $60 or whatever it was when the game was first released would of been very disappointing.    … Expand
  10. takenreal
    Dec 4, 2022
    5
    the game is very fun overall
    and in my opinion i loved the history the customisation
    the police pursuit are hard drift is ok
    good characters
  11. BrianDavid94
    Sep 30, 2022
    7
    Quick background on me the reviewer, I tend to like single player games that is heavy on narrative the most. I also play a lot of racing games and use to play multiplayer games in my high school days but now that it's hard for me and my friends to find a good time to link up so now it’s rare for me to get into a multiplayer game. Up to try any genre of games and sometimes I find somethingQuick background on me the reviewer, I tend to like single player games that is heavy on narrative the most. I also play a lot of racing games and use to play multiplayer games in my high school days but now that it's hard for me and my friends to find a good time to link up so now it’s rare for me to get into a multiplayer game. Up to try any genre of games and sometimes I find something new that I didn't think I'd like. I own a PC (built by me), Xbox One X, Xbox Series X, PS3, PS4, PS5, and a Switch. I prefer Playstation due to their focus on narrative games. For scoring, I’ll be using the Gameinformer review scale and of coursed influenced by my personal opinions.

    (7) Average. The game’s feature may work, but are nothing that even causal players haven’t seen before.

    Need for Speed Payback is a good game but nobody will remember it after playing it. Car mechanics are good enough for an arcade racer but wish they didn’t force you into drifting. Even the racer trim of your cars will force you to drift along the canyons roads to get the most of your car. Racer trim should be trimmed to precision driving, your drift cars should be focused on drifting. Simple concept, right? Why do arcade racing games think that everyone wants to drift? The city and map wasn’t memorable to me. I knew the PS2 most wanted map by heart and the same with rivals. The story can be summed up to the title. It’s just about you getting Payback. Characters are pretty basic in order to not offend anybody. There a few fast and furious like missions that are a nice change/addition to the series but also goes against the core roots of the series so depending on your stance you may like it or hate it. I dislike how you have to rebuy the same car for different trims instead of just being able to tune it a certain way. Overall there are some good things and bad things about this entry into the series depending on what you like in an arcade racer.    … Expand
  12. Cheeseboatvow18
    Nov 19, 2021
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Everything is fine until u reach the diamond block 4 question mission. iTS A **** RACE AND ItS ABOUt Race NOT DRaG.Fix your game… Expand
  13. Kostas101
    Oct 11, 2021
    7
    I genuinely enjoyed this game, the handling is satisfying, the cars actually feel really good to drive, and the car customization is great, but upgrading your car is sometimes frustrating. I also disliked how the game forces you to play game modes that you don't want to, Off Road in this game is straight up bad because the car feels very slippery, and Drag races are very boring.
  14. spesini
    Oct 3, 2021
    5
    It was definitely a step in the right direction for the series, customization is great, the tuning system isn't THAT bad, but the lack of race events and a boring map makes Payback irrelevant compared to much better Heat.
  15. Ardho
    Aug 28, 2021
    5
    I like the location of the gameplay but the story is very very bad and boring
  16. superpyro296
    Feb 5, 2021
    6
    This game is decent and a little bit better than the Need of Speed released in 2015. I had some fun playing it but we have a really « cliché » story and poor graphics. They did an ok job for the open world. I really didn't liked the drifting challenges (I don't see the purpose of having high drifting scores...)
  17. emreglbdk
    Jan 31, 2021
    5
    Compared to Heat, I guess the only difference is the colors. It can also be a map.
  18. The_Ccyborg015
    Jan 23, 2021
    6
    I really enjoy just racing around the map, with all the cars I've bought. The problem is, getting to this point of the game is awful. The history is just a generic hero/villain **** and puts a death between them two just to get a little more cool, but it simply didn't. 97% of the characters don't have a face and the game has only a few cutscenes. Racing games don't meant to have a complexI really enjoy just racing around the map, with all the cars I've bought. The problem is, getting to this point of the game is awful. The history is just a generic hero/villain **** and puts a death between them two just to get a little more cool, but it simply didn't. 97% of the characters don't have a face and the game has only a few cutscenes. Racing games don't meant to have a complex complex story behind, and if you want to, EA, make it good, and you didn't.… Expand
  19. LSS777
    Nov 28, 2020
    7
    I have been playing the Need for Speed series for a long time. This part is not the best, but very suitable for a relaxed pastime.
  20. Denzit36
    Nov 20, 2020
    6
    Что могу сказать, Только Кампания.Буквально.
    Почти никакая свобода действий.
    Управление: Плохое.
    Сюжет: Офигенный!!!
    Графон: Ни ахти
  21. Hernankozak
    Nov 12, 2020
    7
    After a long time without playing a Need for speed I played this one, to see how this game kept doing things and I really liked it, from nfs: mw 2012 to nfs Payback really felt a change, I don't know if for the better , but it felt, the customizations of the cars, the classes of the same, it feels great to experiment with a story of this caliber, although it is not the best, it feels goodAfter a long time without playing a Need for speed I played this one, to see how this game kept doing things and I really liked it, from nfs: mw 2012 to nfs Payback really felt a change, I don't know if for the better , but it felt, the customizations of the cars, the classes of the same, it feels great to experiment with a story of this caliber, although it is not the best, it feels good to be part of one. What I did not like were the physics of some vehicles in offroad races, although it is dirt and it is a terrain that does not have much grip, it becomes exaggerated to a certain point, it is almost uncontrollable and it is very frustrating, it also cost me a bit getting used to the physics of drifting but with an improved car it becomes quite easy and satisfying.… Expand
  22. HaloFever
    Nov 10, 2020
    5
    How many hours do you have to play a game to before you can definitely say it is a bad game? Full disclosure: I downloaded this game "free" from PlayStation Plus. I did not so much buy it as have it drop into my lap.

    Driving around the Need for Speed world, I was shocked that the developers put so much effort into the buildings and environment when it should have been clear to them that    How many hours do you have to play a game to before you can definitely say it is a bad game? Full disclosure: I downloaded this game "free" from PlayStation Plus. I did not so much buy it as have it drop into my lap.

    Driving around the Need for Speed world, I was shocked that the developers put so much effort into the buildings and environment when it should have been clear to them that the gameplay was going to be terrible. The worst of the game starts right away. The voice acting is flat and the dialogue is as generic as elevator music. Then you have to run away from some police. You are driving a souped up race car and they are driving stock police cars. Yet somehow the cops can go from 0 to 60 in 1 second and hit about 200 mph on city streets. In the past 30 years, developers have made zero effort to improve a.i.

    The other races in the game have some "rubberbanding". I am not entire sure because I lowered the difficulty to easy. Big mistake. Every race has been a cake walk. Now and then, despite a huge lead, an a.i. car will suddenly appear on my tail. On higher difficulties, maybe they would race past me right as I approach the finish line. The general strategy in arcade feeling racing games is to get ahead and stay ahead, and this always makes for boring races.

    The worst mechanic in the game is the progression system. You cannot simply enter any race and have a good time. Instead you have to either "grind" for upgrades or buy upgrades as micro-transactions. The game will happily show you all the cars you cannot drive unless you buy an upgrade pack with real dollars. Someone bought this game for $60 in 2017 and immediately regretted their purchase when they saw these free-to-play/pay-to-win purchase options. Part of me is ok with playing a "free" game for all of its free content and part of me wonders why I would waste my time when I can pay for a better game.

    The problem with racing on the PS4 ecosystem is that there are not that many arcade style racers. You can play a plethora of kart racers and a few very serious racing simulations. Outside of Need for Speed, I cannot think of any casual racing games for the rest of us. I also cannot think of any casual racing games with 2 player split screen. This is the ultimate travesty, and Electronic Arts perpetuates it with the Need for Speed franchise. Rather than code in split screen, which used to be a standard feature in all racing games, Electronic Arts set up an elaborate store for micro-transactions. So instead of a fun arcade style racer that I can play with my family, Need for Speed is a platform for micro-transactions. I would give this game less than 5 out of 10 except I do have that itch to play a racing game and Need for Speed is a racing game.

    Last note on this mediocre piece of crap: why don't we have a remake of Burnout: Takedown? That game was just so amazing and here we are 3 console generations later and we have not seen a worthy successor. The playbook for making a good arcade style racing game is right before us! Just remake that game and enjoy the praise of high Metacritic scores! No micro-transactions. No stupid progression system. Just straight up good racing with split screen. Dear developers, this is what your customers deserve.    … Expand
  23. sebastianali
    Oct 27, 2020
    6
    Me impresiono ver los análisis negativos después de jugar al juego, pero como siempre, los juegos de EA son criticados por los micropagos. Sin embargo, casi todo se puede sacar jugando y de hecho, el juego te va dando paquetes gratis en bastante cantidad, lo mismo con el dinero. Por lo que hubo casos muco peores, uno puede hacer el 100% sin necesidad de pagar y gastar tanto tiempo comoMe impresiono ver los análisis negativos después de jugar al juego, pero como siempre, los juegos de EA son criticados por los micropagos. Sin embargo, casi todo se puede sacar jugando y de hecho, el juego te va dando paquetes gratis en bastante cantidad, lo mismo con el dinero. Por lo que hubo casos muco peores, uno puede hacer el 100% sin necesidad de pagar y gastar tanto tiempo como otros juegos de este estilo. Hablando del juego en si, sorprendentemente llega a ser muy disfrutable! El ultimo NFS que habia jugado era el MW del 2012, y Payback resulta ser una gran mejora de este (también le hice un análisis). Las carreras son frenéticas, hay bastante personalización, los gráficos están bastante bien, la música me gusto y tiene mucho contenido, ya sea con misiones secundarias, misiones principales, explorar el mapa para encontrar coleccionables, etc... Sin embargo, todo esto se ve muy opacado por ciertas cuestiones. Sinceramente no me he empezado a divertir a partir de las 5 primeras horas aprox, que es cuando ya te dan mas libertad de exploración y te dejan comprar tus propios coches y personalizarlos, y tenes que estar aguantando una trama que, en mi opinión, es genérica, solo detalles menores como el "Martillo del Cielo" son interesantes y ya. Después en cuanto a los controles, si bien no son una atrocidad, siento que podrían pulirse un poco mas ya que el coche a veces es muy duro a la hora de doblar las curvas, y no hay una estadística de manejo como tal. El sistema RPG con las cartas (que lo he visto por muchos lados siendo criticado) honestamente, me gusto. Es básicamente el equivalente a en los Need For Speed clásicos ponerle piezas de prestaciones de motor, suspensión, etc, por lo que cualquier queja acá, si no se la dicen a los anteriores, no tiene sentido. Y por ultimo tengo que decir que si bien el juego en general me gusto, se hace excesivamente repetitivo, puesto que solo son 5 tipos de carrera creo recordar y se repiten toda la aventura.... Llega a cansar y aburrir, ademas de no innovar en nada en la saga en si, siendo un refrito de obras pasadas, aunque esto es compensado en parte por la gran cantidad de autos que hay, mas la personalización y algunos objetivos secundarios, así como las situaciones script del modo historia con persecuciones que no estan para nada mal, aunque no hay policias en el "free roam" y no son igual de recompensatorias y satisfactorias de pasar como el Most Wanted. En resumen, mientras que me parece un juego que esta bien y ya, esta bastante infravalorado, ni de broma me parece un mal juego, y ademas de que fue criticado por los micropagos, cuando tranquilamente puedes jugar al juego sin depender de ellos, no como otros juegos en los que tenes que farmear durante 100 horas para desbloquear una skin. NFS Payback no llega a esos extremos. Definitivamente es uno de los mejores NFS que he probado en mucho tiempo, o al menos, lo siento muchísimo mas pulido y divertido que el MW 2012 que fue el ultimo que probé, y repito: ya le hice reseña.… Expand
  24. fr0st1
    Oct 20, 2020
    7
    Я не знаю почему так жестко хейтят эту игру, возможно, дело в том что я ее забрал бесплатно по PS+ и она уже вся запатчина. Да и играл я вообще без надежд и ожиданий.

    Зашел, игра сходу зацепила, продолжил проходить и появился дикий интерес получить платину, игра прям заинтересовала, а со мной такое редко бывает. Возможно это из-за того, что я искал замену Форзе на плойке, а онлайн тут    Я не знаю почему так жестко хейтят эту игру, возможно, дело в том что я ее забрал бесплатно по PS+ и она уже вся запатчина. Да и играл я вообще без надежд и ожиданий.

    Зашел, игра сходу зацепила, продолжил проходить и появился дикий интерес получить платину, игра прям заинтересовала, а со мной такое редко бывает. Возможно это из-за того, что я искал замену Форзе на плойке, а онлайн тут чем-то похож. Чтобы иметь нормальную тачку я побежал проходить компанию.

    Управление чуть менее ужасное, чем в других частях НФС. Например, заходил я в Heat - удалил через 10 минут вождения.

    Игра полна на активности, я не понимаю людей, которые говорят, что она скучная.

    Ну и главное, это единственная часть НФС (не из первых частей), которая меня заинтересовала и я прошел ее полностью, сейчас хочу забрать платину.    … Expand
  25. Java_475
    Oct 14, 2020
    5
    El juego es bueno en historia y conducción. En un juego de autos callejeros no es de esperarse una historia profunda o muy compleja así que está bien. Lo asqueroso son los npcs. Tengas el coche que tengas, los policías son siempre lo más chetado del juego y nunca puedes sacar una ventana considerable. En las carreras también el juego se alarga innecesariamente y a la larga aburre mucho
  26. Mirrras_7835
    Oct 12, 2020
    7
    Мне понравилась кастомищация. Изменить машину можно очень хорошо
    Сюжет не очень хороший. Он скучный, персонажи не запоминающиеся, но проходить его нужно, ведь с ним открываются всякие предметы. Открытый мир хороший. Он разнообразный, и на некоторых моментах так и хочется ездить, а не пропустить вместе с fast-travel. По всей карте разбросаны однообразные задания. Но проходятся они быстро.    Мне понравилась кастомищация. Изменить машину можно очень хорошо
    Сюжет не очень хороший. Он скучный, персонажи не запоминающиеся, но проходить его нужно, ведь с ним открываются всякие предметы. Открытый мир хороший. Он разнообразный, и на некоторых моментах так и хочется ездить, а не пропустить вместе с fast-travel. По всей карте разбросаны однообразные задания. Но проходятся они быстро. Задания по типу "проедь это на такой скорости" или "закончи небольшой заезд с такой". В городе мало машин и в лесной локации машин мало, когда как в пустыне их достаточно. Но в пустыне это интересно, выезжать за дорогу и дривтом из обходить. В лесной локации это тоже интересно, их объезжать. А в городе машин почти нет, но в город ч заезжаю только ради того чтобы поездить, и машины бы там мешали. Взаимодействие с другими игроками слабое. Максимум гонку устроить. Но оно как бы и не нужно. Игра отлично оптимизированная. Но бывают такие моменты, когда я к примеру сбил полицейскую машину, она начала крутится, и издавать много частиц. Ну смотрю я на это, и слышу как взлетает самолёт. Снимаю наушники, а это консоль шумит из-за частиц. Но обычно шум слабый, кроме лесной локации. Там много деревьев.
    А графика, ну мне она понравилась. Машины блестят, город светлый, а лес прикольный. Но растительность не сказать что хорошая. Она обычная, и многим не выделяется.
    Езда разнообразна. Пример: пустыня. Я еду по гладкой, не скользкой дороге. И вдруг понимаю что к месту назначения можно добраться быстрее, если выйти за дорогу, и сократить. Сворачиваю налево, и машину начинает заносить если резко поворачивать. Это интересно, постоянно менять тип езды. Город лёгкий, и дрифт там часто использовать не нужно. Лес разнообразен в плане дорог. А пустыня совмещает всё. Мне нравится просто заходить в игру, и ездить по миру, прокачивать машину, устраивать гонки
    Было переведено при помощи google translate    … Expand
  27. Radam64
    Oct 11, 2020
    7
    This game is way better than Need for Speed (2015) and NFS Heat. I was turned off by the microtransactions but they must of changed it after launch as now you can just go to the tune up shop and buy the upgrades you want with in game currency and it's no issue at all.

    The voice acting is lame and the soundtrack is hipster nonsense as always but that doesn't take away from the fun arcade    This game is way better than Need for Speed (2015) and NFS Heat. I was turned off by the microtransactions but they must of changed it after launch as now you can just go to the tune up shop and buy the upgrades you want with in game currency and it's no issue at all.

    The voice acting is lame and the soundtrack is hipster nonsense as always but that doesn't take away from the fun arcade style driving.

    Every mode of driving is fun and has great fundamental controls. I haven't enjoyed an NFS game like this since NFS Rivals.

    It has great collision detection, over the top crashes and non stop action thanks to well implemented fast travel. Unlike NFS 2015 and NFS Heat.

    This game is free for PS Plus users this month Oct 2020. I highly recommend downloading it.    … Expand
  28. Kowbrad
    Jun 24, 2020
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The game is is not great or is it bad. The story feels too long for a driving game because they re-use racing styles so even tho you race in different places it feels the same. And drifting races in this game are my least favorite they are just point collecting minigames and you have to be almost perfect to not lose your multiplier. The driving in this game feels good.… Expand
  29. Siome
    Jun 20, 2020
    6
    Not bad for a need for speed. Sad note is the drag courses mandatory for story. Story is common. Graphics are nice.
  30. AzeePoDz
    Jun 19, 2020
    7
    Amazing soundtracks!!!! But gameplay is not so good, good that we haven’t cards in NFS heat
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Awards & Rankings

19
#19 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2017
24
#24 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2017

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
61

Mixed or average reviews - based on 59 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 59
  2. Mixed: 36 out of 59
  3. Negative: 9 out of 59
  1. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Feb 6, 2018
    70
    Ticks all the boxes and delivers a decent, playable experience, but it's hugely derivative and feels far too familiar, especially if you've played The Crew. [Jan 2017, p.92]
  2. games(TM)
    Dec 31, 2017
    40
    An infuriating slog hurt by its own structure. [Issue#195, p.80]
  3. The Digital Fix
    Dec 15, 2017
    60
    If you stick with it you'll find a decent racer here but getting past the inane narrative, broken progression systems and longing for racers past takes some doing.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »