Need for Speed Payback

 Xbox One
Need for Speed Payback Image
Metascore
61

Mixed or average reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
4.1

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 281 Ratings

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  • Summary: Set in the underworld of Fortune Valley, players 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 take on a variety of challenges and events as Tyler, the Racer; Mac, theSet in the underworld of Fortune Valley, players 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 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. [Electronic Arts]… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 32
  3. Negative: 6 out of 32
  1. TheXboxHub
    Nov 23, 2017
    90
    It’s safe to say that Need For Speed Payback is a return to the glory days for the series, able to mentioned in the same breath as Underground or Most Wanted.
  2. Stevivor
    Nov 7, 2017
    80
    Need For Speed Payback represents EA’s answer to where most racers are headed -– massive worlds, large car lists, extensive customisation options and plenty of things to do.
  3. MondoXbox
    Nov 14, 2017
    75
    A solid arcade racer with some very nice environments, but it feels a bit too weak in the technical department and with a too marked rubber-banding effect during the races.
  4. IGN Spain
    Nov 7, 2017
    65
    Need for Speed ​​does not take advantage of the two-year break to present a game that represents a clear step forward for the series, staying as a simple driving arcade game that does more things wrong than good.
  5. Worth Playing
    Nov 13, 2017
    59
    Need for Speed Payback is a game with some good ideas and more than a few bad ways of executing them. The story gives you a good basis for a non-traditional racing game, and aping Forza Horizon isn't a bad way to go about it. The handling is purely arcade in style and fun to play, and the environments can give you some pretty good racing areas. However, even if you discount how bad the story plays out, you'll hate the fact that you'll never get to play the more exciting segments. Worse, the promotion of grinding makes the game drag on far longer than it should, making you want to put it away without even finishing the campaign, let alone try the multiplayer. It isn't the worst racer on the platform by any means, but it's certainly not worthy of the full asking price.
  6. Attack of the Fanboy
    Nov 13, 2017
    50
    Need for Speed Payback is another miss for the franchise. The racing feels good, the presentation is great, but everything surrounding it is absolutely abhorrent.
  7. EGM
    Nov 7, 2017
    40
    Need for Speed Payback might be a new low point for the franchise. A horrendous progression system compounded by uninteresting characters and terrible AI only illustrates how far behind this series has fallen compared to the other arcade racers out there. The multiplayer is solid, but that’s like saying at least the car wreck didn’t cause a fire, too.

See all 32 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 42
  3. Negative: 27 out of 42
  1. Nick98
    Nov 7, 2017
    10
    I think the critics or reviewers need to stop giving this game negative reviews it looks fun to play and I grew up playing this series and theI think the critics or reviewers need to stop giving this game negative reviews it looks fun to play and I grew up playing this series and the reboot of need for speed (2015) has horrible physics, cheesy cut scenes with the worst acting I've seen and the graphics are okay but not that great as Payback. Need For Speed Payback looks better and has a better story than the reboot of Need For Speed and has better physics that that game. I think its going to be a surprise for people that grew up playing need for speed like me and appreciate that ghost at least did what the fans request and e.a. helping with the project. I think its worth the pre-order of this game and I think I'm in for a treat for Need for Speed Payback… Expand
  2. new_casual
    Sep 11, 2021
    9
    NFS Payback is great game for those who just want to play to good looking and fun racing game. Simple, but fun story, fun characters, a lot ofNFS Payback is great game for those who just want to play to good looking and fun racing game. Simple, but fun story, fun characters, a lot of positive in this game. It is worth mentioning, that customization-cards is brilliant idea for "not auto-geek" players like me!… Expand
  4. HelpMePls
    Nov 15, 2017
    7
    I know this is going to get downvoted to death, but here it is anyway. Let me start by explaining that the loot boxes aren't pay to win by anyI know this is going to get downvoted to death, but here it is anyway. Let me start by explaining that the loot boxes aren't pay to win by any means. Last time I checked, neons and horns don't make your car faster. Not to mention the fact that you get a box every time you level up (a la Overwatch, which happened to get GOTY last year). The game itself is pretty good. The car list is decent, and every car has a lot of customization options on it. The story is ok, but I don't know anyone that expects the stories in any NFS game to be groundbreaking. There are some very interesting missions in the game that are almost reminiscent of heists in GTA which I like and they spice up the gameplay a bit. You can also replay these missions anytime after you unlock them, so they're not a one time only thing.

    The most glaring issues with this game is the lack of online free roam and the strange car upgrade system. The game isn't anywhere near as grindy as Destiny 2, especially if you know what you're doing, the best way to get better parts is to play races and trade in parts for part tokens. Money should never be an issue as the game hands out $10-$20 thousand per race late game.
    The open world is large and contains a large desert, a Las Vegas inspired city, a mountain/forest, and some canyons. There are no cops in free roam which can be considered a good thing if you don't like to be bothered, but for most people its disappointing and makes the world less interesting. You can still get into pursuits, although they have been limited to random locations around the world and missions.

    My final verdict as of now is a 7, as the game for the most part is good, but there are some issues here and there. Keep in mind that Ghost (the developer) will provide free updates and hopefully improve upon the game in the coming months. In my opinion, the loot crates don't ruin the game because you get tons of them just by playing the game, and they give you cosmetic items that don't affect the gameplay at all. If you're considering buying this game, I would wait for a sale unless you're a die hard NFS fan. If you aren't into the series I suggest you consider buying if this goes on sale for $40. Thanks for taking the time to read the wall of text that is my review, I hope it helps.    … Expand
  5. didierdrogba11
    Sep 16, 2020
    3
    It's the worst NFS game that I've ever played. The story is very cliche. And when you ride a car, you don't feel like you are riding a car.It's the worst NFS game that I've ever played. The story is very cliche. And when you ride a car, you don't feel like you are riding a car. You feel like riding a boat or something. I love racing games. But this is the worst racing game that I've ever played...… Expand
  6. jobbigtboys
    Dec 27, 2017
    1
    Seriously, don't waste your money on this, the singleplayer is okay (very short) and the multiplayer, oh boy, might actually be the worst gameSeriously, don't waste your money on this, the singleplayer is okay (very short) and the multiplayer, oh boy, might actually be the worst game I've ever played, the online playlists require NO skill at all, it's basically who ever gets f*cked with the least.… Expand
  7. AngryGamer34
    Mar 22, 2021
    0
    This game is by far the WORST NFS game ever! It's so bad that I've quit the NFS series for good! And I refuse to buy NFS Heat due to thisThis game is by far the WORST NFS game ever! It's so bad that I've quit the NFS series for good! And I refuse to buy NFS Heat due to this game! I don't like how the customization of the cars work, I don't like the rubber-banding AIs, I just don't like this! This game gets the death penalty for being utterly bad! I feel bad for the gamers who paid $60 for this. I bought this digitally for $5 and was refused a refund. EA sucks!… Expand
  8. Lukecali97
    Nov 17, 2017
    0
    this games micro transactions are so bad that critics like angry Joe couldn't even bear to finish this poor excuse of a game ea can take theirthis games micro transactions are so bad that critics like angry Joe couldn't even bear to finish this poor excuse of a game ea can take their p2w crap and shove it up their ass… Expand

See all 42 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

25
#25 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2017
39
#39 Most Shared Xbox One Game of 2017