The confrontations with cops are really the only place where navigation becomes an issue and, even then, it lessens the gratification of escape by a relatively small degree they are still fun. Rubbing paint with cop cars and ruthlessly wrecking them, arguably a fan-favorite activity, has a satisfying, visceral feel, but the actual act of escaping lacks creativity a singular escape route doesn’t leave much room for daring maneuvers. This way, the action stays in front of you and you don't have to devote a whole lot of mental real estate to navigation. Checkpoints (large, blue loops that arc over your path) tell you exactly where to go.

Most navigation is handled automatically. It’s not always ideal but I welcome the trade-off. There were some occasion where I was destined to crash, happened to wreck another car, and was steered back on course by the game’s AI. It’s only a small assist and, for the most part, only makes minor corrections to your path. To assist in this, the game will also control your car because, while you are watching your enemy go up in flames, you are not watching the road. It is such a focus, in fact, that wrecking a car will prompt the game’s camera to lock onto it so you can gaze, in slow motion,upon its glorious destruction you know, admire your handywork. Spectacle has a special spot in Need for Speed: Payback. It doesn’t hurt that, as you drive around, regardless of the mode, the scenery and machinery look hella beautiful. Being forced to off-road or street race or navigate the open world keeps each form of play fresh. Set in the underworld of Fortune Valley, you and your crew were divided by betrayal and reunited by revenge to take down The House, a nefarious cartel that rules the city’s casinos, criminals and cops. At first, I just wanted to run from cops, but if I were to do that all the time, I would grow tired of it. Need for Speed, one of the world’s bestselling video game franchises, returns with a vengeance in the new action-driving blockbuster, Need for Speed Payback. Playing as the three main characters helps alleviate stagnation. Others will find that the street racing is more to their liking. Drifting and offroading will be a highlight for some.

The sense of speed is serviceable and the cars handle extremely well. But then there’s its upgrade system which, while simple, impedes a sense of progression and, in effect, drains motivation it would have been better to omit the frustrating drudgery and, instead, tie progression to obtaining newer, better cars. This is how it should be and, in this regard, Need for Speed: Payback mostly stays in its lane. It’s not overtly technical and doesn’t punish you unfairly. Need for Speed: Payback is, at its heart, a joyous arcade racer it’s miles away from the hardcore racing sim side of the spectrum. Mild Suggestive Themes, Mild Violence, Language

Payback 2 ps4