In its hands the series has gone from accomplished to flawed to this, a joyless obligation of a game.' - Martin Robinson US Gamer - 3/5 I feel for developer Ghost Games, and after its promising debut with 2012's Rivals this clearly talented studio's spirit seems to have been crushed by the sheer weight of Need for Speed and the corporate burden it carries. 'It's hard getting angry at Need for Speed Payback when instead a more fitting reaction seems to be one of complete apathy. It feels fine and it looks flashy, but Payback really went all-in on its direct-to-DVD revenge tale and it was a bust for me.' - Luke Reilly Eurogamer - No Score 'Need for Speed Payback is a big, competent, and confident arcade racer but it's really let down by its linear cop chases, its overwrought and insidious upgrade system, its dreadful dialogue, and its superficial action sequences. Fast and Furious, this is not and that's a disappointing outcome.' - Richard Wakeling The simple, almost retro, handling model provides occasional bouts of fun, but it's never enough to escape Payback's flaws, with an unwillingness to let you partake in its most hair-raising moments, and a general drabness that seeps into every layer of the game. 'Need for Speed Payback's banal racing is only magnified by this focus on grinding. For a wider look at Need for Speed Payback's critical reception, be sure to visit GameSpot sister site Metacritic. Other reviews for Need for Speed Payback have also begun appearing online, and as usual, we've roundup up a sample of them below to give you an idea of what critics think about EA's new racer.

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