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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.