Series Need for Speed has always been famous for its ability to balance on the line between a simulator and a crazy arcade, but the release of the fifth part called Payback in 2017 caused a real flurry of emotions among fans of the genre. Developers from Ghost Games tried to rethink the formula for success by adding a Hollywood-style story campaign to the game, reminiscent of popular films like “The Fast and the Furious” or “Gone in 60 Seconds.” The player is immersed in the atmosphere of underground racing in the fictional state of Nevada, where corrupt police and criminal syndicates rule.
The main feature that immediately catches your eye is the aggressive implemented monetization system through loot boxes, which caused massive protests from the community even before release. Despite this, the visuals and driving dynamics remain top notch, offering thrilling chases and destructible environments. In this article we will look in detail at what exactly is NFS Payback, is it worth getting to know her today and what lessons she taught the industry.
You have to choose one of three protagonists, each of whom specializes in a certain type of activity, be it street racing, drifting or off-road racing. Gameplay is based on completing tasks that advance the plot and provide access to new parts for tuning. However, the game world is not without its shortcomings, which we will talk about in more detail, analyzing the pumping mechanics and the general atmosphere of lawlessness.
Story campaign and characters
The story takes place in the city of Forth Valley, which is under the tight control of the "House" syndicate, led by a mysterious figure known as "The Banker". You take on the role of Tyler Morgan, who, along with his team, is trying to regain what was lost and overthrow the corrupt government. The script was written with a clear focus on action blockbusters, which is expressed in pathetic dialogues, unexpected turns and a constant sense of danger.
The uniqueness of the approach lies in the ability to switch between three characters at any time outside of missions. Tyler - universal racer, Poppy - the king of drift, and Jess - off-road master. This structure allows you to diversify the gameplay, preventing you from getting bored with the monotony of one driving style. Each hero has their own unique introductory missions and specific skills that help in certain situations on the road.
However, despite the stellar cast of voice actors and cinematic presentation, the plot is often criticized for being clichéd and predictable. Characters sometimes behave illogically, and the motivations of the antagonists seem flat. However, for an arcade racing game, the level of narrative development is above average, which creates the necessary emotional involvement. The atmosphere of lawlessness is conveyed perfectly, especially at night, when the city is illuminated with neon lights and flashes of police sirens.
Tuning system and loot boxes
The most discussed and controversial mechanic in NFS Payback became a car pumping system. Instead of a traditional parts store where you buy a specific part with the money you earn, the game allows you to unlock "upgrade cards" through loot boxes. This radically changes the approach to customization, making it more exciting, but less transparent for the player who wants to get a specific result.
There are three types of cards within the game: "Speed", "Safety" and "Style". Each card has its own rarity level and rank, which affects the characteristics of the car. To install a part, you need to knock out a card of the desired type and rank, and then spend the game currency (“Bank”) to activate it. Tuning becomes a lottery, where luck plays no less a role than driving skill.
How do reputation multipliers work?
Reputation multipliers allow you to receive more in-game money and upgrade cards for performing tricks during the race. They are activated by sequential drifting, overtaking oncoming cars and driving at high speed. The higher the multiplier, the more valuable the loot boxes at the end of the race.
⚠️ Attention: The loot box system was significantly redesigned after release due to negative public reaction, but the aftertaste remains. Players have to spend a lot of time farming currencies or opening packages in hopes of getting the desired high-rank part.
Visual tuning remains at a high level: you can change bumpers, spoilers, wheels, tinting and even suspension. However, the functional division into classes (Racing, Off-Road, Drift, Drag, Escape) means that one car cannot be a universal soldier. You will have to assemble a separate garage for each type of discipline, which requires a significant investment of time. Ghost Games They relied on collectibles and a diverse fleet of vehicles.
Gameplay and driving physics
Physical model in Need for Speed Payback is a hybrid of arcade and simulation, shifted towards the former. Cars here feel heavier than in Most Wanted 2005, but still allow you to work wonders on the road. Drifting has become more accessible, and control requires constant use of the gas and brake, especially at high speeds.
One of the key features is the Touchdown system, which allows you to slow down time at critical moments to perform precise maneuvers or ram police cars. This adds a strategic element to racing, allowing you to get out of desperate situations. Gameplay full of events: from simple races to complex missions to deliver cargo under the gun of helicopters.
Use Touchdown not only to dodge, but also to accurately enter narrow gates in escape missions. This often saves the car from being destroyed.
Police chases are back in full force, offering different pursuit tactics. Cops use spikes, battering rams, and even helicopters that can temporarily disable your car with an electromagnetic pulse. Destructibility of the environment is also present, although to a limited extent: you can break fences, billboards and small buildings, but large objects remain unharmed.
Open world and activities
The game takes place in a fictional version of Nevada, including deserts, canyons, urban areas and forested areas. The map is large enough to feel freedom of movement, but at the same time full of activities. There are no boring races here: illegal races, time trials or just random encounters with the police can await you at every corner.
There are collectibles scattered throughout the world, such as Wheels of Fortune for loot boxes and various secrets. Exploration of the world is encouraged, as it allows you to find shortcuts for racing and new locations for drifting. Open world lives its own life: traffic is dense, pedestrians cross the road, and weather conditions change dynamically, affecting road traction.
| Activity type | Description | Reward |
|---|---|---|
| Street racing | Classic rides around the city | Money, Reputation |
| Drift zones | Collect points in special areas | Style Cards, Money |
| Escape | Evading the police over time | Security Cards, Experience |
| Off-road | Cross-country racing | Speed Maps, Details |
The “Billboards” scattered throughout the map deserve special attention. By smashing them at high speed, you gain additional reputation points. This adds an element of risk, since to perform a stunt you often have to drive into oncoming traffic or leave the roadway. Research maps become not just a way to move, but a full-fledged part of the gameplay.
Technical condition and graphics
Engine Frostbite, on which the game is based, showed impressive results. Graphics in NFS Payback it still looks great: realistic lighting, detailing of car models and texture development are at the level of top projects of that time. The game looks especially impressive in dynamics, when motion blur is turned on and sparks fly from under the wheels.
Optimization on PC and consoles is generally good, although at the time of release there were complaints about periodic FPS drops and bugs. The soundtrack also deserves praise: licensed tracks from various genres perfectly complement the atmosphere of illegal racing. Sound design motors are made with high quality, although with a certain amount of arcade exaggeration for greater epicness.
The Frostbite graphics engine made it possible to create one of the most beautiful racing worlds, but it is demanding on system resources, especially at night.
The game's interface is convenient and intuitive, although the overload of menu items due to the loot box system is sometimes tiring. Level loading and transitions between modes are quite fast, especially on new generation consoles thanks to backward compatibility. Weather visual effects such as sandstorms or rainstorms add realism and affect visibility.
Comparison with competitors and legacy
Coming out one year with Forza Motorsport 7 and Gran Turismo Sport, Payback chose the niche of pure arcade action. Unlike simulators, there is no need to monitor tire pressure or engine temperature, all attention is focused on speed and stunts. However, compared to the same The Crew 2, the world of Payback seems less alive and large-scale, although more dense in events.
The game's legacy remains ambivalent. On the one hand, it gave fans a high-quality arcade racing game with an excellent storyline. On the other hand, the introduction of loot boxes has become a black spot on the reputation of the series and the industry as a whole. Criticism on the part of the players forced publishers to reconsider the approach to monetization in future projects, which can be considered an indirect but important result.
☑️ Are you ready for Payback?
Today, several years later, Need for Speed Payback often found on clearance sales, making it a great candidate to check out. It's not perfect, but it offers dozens of hours of entertainment for those who love speed and beautiful cars. If you're a fan of the series or just looking for some fast-paced racing action, this entry is definitely worth a look, despite its shortcomings.
⚠️ Warning: The game's online services may be unstable at this time as the developer's focus has shifted to newer installments of the franchise. The single player campaign works without problems.
FAQ
Is it possible to play Need for Speed Payback without the Internet?
Yes, the game can be played offline. However, some features, such as receiving daily bonuses or participating in special events, will require an online connection. The single player campaign is fully accessible without a permanent connection.
Does the game have a free ride mode without tasks?
Of course. You can freely roam the Fort Valley map, explore the surrounding area, look for collectibles, and just ride around performing tricks to increase your reputation multiplier. The world is open for exploration at any time.
How to make money quickly in Payback?
The best way is to complete missions with a high reputation multiplier. Try to do tricks, overtake traffic and drift during races. It is also profitable to sell unnecessary upgrade cards that fall out of loot boxes.
Does the game work on weak PCs?
The game is optimized for a wide range of devices, but to play comfortably at high settings you will need modern hardware. At minimum settings, the game can run on mid-range systems, but the visual component will suffer greatly.