There’s also the kind of forced banter that’s become commonplace in video games and is dutifully featured here–where, for example, calling someone “Lil’ Ty” is absolutely hilarious to anyone within earshot. The dialogue is hammy, but not in a fun B-movie way, and it frequently goes out of its way to reference everything from The Matrix to Dragon Ball Z, with some cringe-inducing millennial slang shoehorned in for good measure.
It’s the type of clichéd story you’d ideally want to turn your brain off for yet there’s not a noticeable shred of self-awareness involved, and its earnesty does it no favours. It’s a simple enough conceit that gives purpose to the game’s structure, as you’re tasked with defeating various archetypal racing crews in order to earn a shot at your nemesis. After our three plucky protagonists are double-crossed during a heist gone awry at the game’s outset, they set a plan in motion to exact revenge on their conniving defector and the ominous criminal syndicate she represents. With a steady framerate and impressive draw distance, Fortune Valley’s slice of diverse countryside is at times, yet its locales are never distinct or memorable enough to make a lasting impression, and speaks to an open world that fulfills its role without ever standing out.Īnd the same can be said of Payback’s story. The faux-Las Vegas of Silver Rock is a glistening urban jungle of glitz and greed that gradually broadens out into sun-kissed deserts, precarious mountain ranges, and the twisting turns that skirt through its forest wilderness. Set in the fictional US state of Fortune Valley, Payback’s derivative tale of betrayal and vengeance takes place against the backdrop of an expansive open world that surprises with its range and variety. Where Need for Speed was once heavily influenced by Vin Diesel and co.’s predilection for tuner cars and Japanese imports, it’s now taking cues from the more recent Dwayne Johnson-centric entries, with heists and over-the-top action as the order of the day. Yet, unlike the series’ heyday, Payback’s arcade sensibilities aren’t enough to save the game surrounding it from wallowing in mundanity. Despite its impressive visuals and contemporary trappings, Payback’s pick-up-and-play driving model harkens back to Need for Speed Underground and its Fast and the Furious-inspired street racing. There are few games of its ilk nowadays, but perhaps Payback points to a reason why.
Its brazen drifting is effortlessly achieved with aggressive cornering and feathering the brakes, and judicious bursts of nitrous are your best friend down any stretch of open road. Need for Speed Payback is the kind of arcade racer that never requires you to lift your foot off the accelerator.
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