'When you're racing, drifting, off-roading or being chased, Payback feels like a fine arcade racer in the classic Need for Speed mould. It just misses the mark by adding RPG elements into an arcade racer and making the best cars always just out of reach.' - Same Loveridge Trusted Reviews - 3/5 It works and you'll enjoy every car chase, nitrous boost and quippy millennial line. Silly, over the top and a little bit self-indulgent, but in a fantastic action movie way. 'Need for Speed Payback is a game with a brilliant story at its core. There's a better game inside of Payback, but you have to go through everything else to get to it.' - Mike Williams GamesRadar+ - 3.5/5 The progression system encourages grinding and the basic story is delivered with B-movie seriousness, taking away from the racing pleasure.

There's the core of a great racing game here and when you're just driving around the open world, it's wonderful. 'Need for Speed returns with another flawed entry. In its hands the series has gone from accomplished to flawed to this, a joyless obligation of a game.' - Martin Robinson US Gamer - 3/5 I feel for developer Ghost Games, and after its promising debut with 2012's Rivals this clearly talented studio's spirit seems to have been crushed by the sheer weight of Need for Speed and the corporate burden it carries. 'It's hard getting angry at Need for Speed Payback when instead a more fitting reaction seems to be one of complete apathy. It feels fine and it looks flashy, but Payback really went all-in on its direct-to-DVD revenge tale and it was a bust for me.' - Luke Reilly Eurogamer - No Score 'Need for Speed Payback is a big, competent, and confident arcade racer but it's really let down by its linear cop chases, its overwrought and insidious upgrade system, its dreadful dialogue, and its superficial action sequences. Fast and Furious, this is not and that's a disappointing outcome.' - Richard Wakeling

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. 'Need for Speed Payback's banal racing is only magnified by this focus on grinding. For a wider look at Need for Speed Payback's critical reception, be sure to visit GameSpot sister site Metacritic. Other reviews for Need for Speed Payback have also begun appearing online, and as usual, we've roundup up a sample of them below to give you an idea of what critics think about EA's new racer. Now Playing: Need For Speed Payback Review

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Need for speed payback part 2