The Verdict:NFS Payback(Give Your Reviews)

I have been playing NFS since I was about 7 years old, thats the last 13 years of my life. Payback has, so far, been very good to me. Although I do have some concerns and some critiques, as well as some ideas.

The story was good, I feel, especially when compared to NFS 2015, which was cute but way too corny. The story line is solid and didnt feel dragged out at times, with a good ending (pertaining to Marcus Weir) that I felt intrigued by.

Devs... I caught your NFS Pro Street, Carbon, Most Wanted, and The Run references. And I lost myself. I flipped out. Thank you. I fangirled SO hard.

(Achem). Back to my critique. Gameplay is great! I love all 5 car types. Race cars have good cornering and drifting ability, without compromising power, Drift cars go fast and drift easily and well, Drag cars go stupid fast but cant corner well (as it should be), Runner cars can be fast and agile or slower yet strong (beautifully made for cops); however, Offroad feels like it could be tweaked. I, personally, feel like higher-end offroad cars drift way, way, WAY too much, even on dirt paths. Even when I have the tire grip on the rear and power steering on high, my car loses control too often to be fun. My brother seconded me so I know I am not alone. I think Most Wanted 2012 had a good grip on offroach tires - they gave you higher performance offroad with the slight loss of grip on tarmac. I feel that the Offroad cars are Race cars with very little extra grip offroad and extra air capabilities. Dont know if that was intended, but end-game offroad races arent as fun as beginning and mid-game (for me, at least). This is magnified when watching the enemy AI racers keep straight lines and tight turns as you uncontrollably attempt to reattain control of the out-of-control car.

While driving I have encountered a few issues. During the Silver Casino Loop circuit race, there is a raised curb area when heading towards the highway that my car will inconsistently "collide" with, at random speeds and places. This has happened at other places but I am only certain of this one. Another thing I find to be inconsistent: crash animations. I have crashed and NOT crashed when slamming my front end into things at 100+ mph. In one of my streams I was racing on the inner-city highway with my 300+ Nissan GTR and I slammed from 120+ mph at least 3 times to a dead stop and didnt get the animation and reset. Yet I have crashed at other places and get the reset. Why? I dont understand why it can be so inconsistent. I have even been reset when Ibcrash at 80 mph. Note: after crash animation, UI and in-world markers take long to reappear. Is that intended? I feel like its some sort of processing lag. This also happens very often with Drag races - extremely annoying for 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th runs. Intended or not, I think its a terrible thing, and I believe it is not intended because I have gotten the UI for a moment in the 2nd run before (only one time).

More on gameplay: cops. Not enough. The cop-based events are SO good, with the exception of how quickly you "escape". Cops are very aggressive and tough, very fast and smart, but they only come when you engage a bait crate or cop-based event. I SERIOUSLY hope you guys are planning on adding some sort of free-roam cop system because that would make end-game so much better, fuller, and funner. Maybe add a toggle for cops, for those who want to use free-roam for activities and events? While allowing the cop-chase lovers to have their cop chases? The AI for cops and thugs is way on point with Payback. Please, Devs, dont let all that hard work only be seen in events and bait-crates. Maybe even add helicopters to cop chases, much like 2002 Most Wanted and Carbon.

Shipments and Speed Cards, now. I have mixed feelings about these. Shipments are easily attainable BUT they can be bought, giving Payback a very, very, very small area of "pay to win" since they contain in-game currencies such as cash and part tokens. Although, they are still attained when you get 50 stars (even from repeated activities), beat a challenge, or level up. The vanity items are definitely fun, as well. Speed Cards.. I would much rather have a classic system of upgrading my rides but I do see and appreciate how Speed Cards were approached. Having different manufacturers, perks, and levels adds a level of depth, yet the cards themselves take away a lot of personality from and connection to the upgrades. When you buy a new engine in past NFS titles, you feel like you got an engine upgrade. When you get an engine Speed Card... you just got a card for your engine? The randomness of perks, manufacturers, and levels adds to the grind but at the same time adds to annoyance, as racing games have normally been "grind for money to buy that new transmission" instead of "grind for Speed Cards in hopes of a level 15 Chidori exhaust card with a perk in brakes." Its new, different, and cool, but I feel it does not belong in a racing game. If the cards are that important, maybe add them as an addition to parts? Or, for example: a Nextech Engine card gives you a discount on an Engine with Nextech perks. RNG should simply not be prevalent in racing, but a Speed Card that can be used, instead of outright replacing car parts, could be a good incentive to win or excel in a race. Part tokens are quite hard to attain as well, and even buying level 1 parts costs a pretty penny, $9K per part! Thats $9K at least for one part token! I feel this was intended to make grinding races and buying Shipments more appealing, but I think adding a way to buy (with in-game currency) part tokens. Maybe a little shipment of 12 every restock or two? Its an idea, in case others feel the same way.

2 side notes: I had hoped wheelies would be more aggressive like in Pro Street, but they are too tame for my taste; when I first drove the Ford GT I was expecting a heavy American engine to grumble amd growl, instead of the Nissan GTR's sound file. I was used to the old, mid-2000's Ford GT sounding like a big meaty lumberjacks heart was being pounded inside the engine, it just doesnt fit for me.

I would give the game an overall 7.5/10. I am very happy with the game, but wish to see it reach its potential in the future.

Again.. Whoever's idea it was to add in Noise Bomb, Aki Kimura, a comment about Ryan Cooper, Wolf and TFK, Cross the cop, the Speed King, The Run's legendary race "The Run," and Most Wanted's Blacklist... I love you so much.