

Spend THREE Part Tokens to ROLL a new Speed Card.While the game is fully subtitled and story scenes are fully voiced, there is the odd bit of reading to be done surrounding tutorials, etc. What that means is you'll have to spend a long time replaying earlier races (and doing your best to come first) in the hope of getting a new card, with which to make your car better. The two easiest ways of getting new speed cards are to either visit parts shops scattered around the world, in the hope of finding a speed card that's better than the one you currently have equipped, or win a race, which will earn you a single, randomly chosen card - although it still may not be any better than the one you have equipped. Rather than being able to buy defined upgrades, you instead have to use speed cards to upgrade the various bits of your car. The game's upgrade system also serves to make the game more challenging. As there's no route marker overlay on the road itself, you'll need to keep a close eye on your minimap to look out for your turn. While races themselves are well signposted, with frequent checkpoints and large chevron overlays to signify sharp bends, getting around the world itself and finding the next events is a bit more challenging. Many races also require you to finish in first position in order to unlock the next. No matter how well you drive, it's rare that you'll find yourself far out in front of the pack, as even if you sabotage one racer, there'll be another waiting to take their place.


With challenging opponents who'll punish any mistake, and an adjustable difficulty level that doesn't seem to make too much difference to their skill, Need for Speed Payback is a game aimed at experienced racers. How easy is Need for Speed Payback to pick up and play? From speed gate challenges, which ask you to hit a top speed while passing through them, and jump challenges, which see how far you can leap off a ramp, to destructible collectibles like billboards, there's a fair amount to see and do on your way between races. Outside of the races, the open world offers a variety of challenges for you to complete. Feel free to bash, ram, and spin your opponents on your way to first place, as you'll need to use every trick in the book to get out in front. In the races themselves, you'll face off against seven opponents in a no holds barred tussle for first place. Spread out over an open world, Need for Speed Payback is a game that mixes paint trading street racing, with numerous other speed-related challenges for you to complete.
