The first Need for Speed game was released way back in 1994, and t??he most recent was released in 2022, so it’s safe to say that there have been a lot of titles in the franchise. It’s easy to get confused or completely forget titles, so here’s the full list. 

It’s amazing to think that the first Need for Speed was released on a Sega Saturn, but it also makes me feel incredibly old. I’ve dipped in and out of the franchise over the years, and the games never fail to keep me entertained. There was even a Need for Speed mov?ie in 2014, but that doesn’t count ?in this context. 

Every Need for Speed game and when it was released

For a long time, there was a new Need for Speed title (or a couple) every year, with that pattern only slowing down after the release of Rivals in 2013. With that said, here’s all of the Need for Speed ga??mes i??n order of release, right from the very beginning:

In July 2024, Need for Speed Mobile released in China, but it hasn't released for the rest of the world just yet. There are rumors that the game will release on both iOS and Android towards the end of the year, but there is no confirmation of this fro??m EA at the time of writing.

The post All Need for Speed games in order of release appeared first on Destructoid.

The Sound of the Underground

If I could do it all over again, I wouldn't get out of shape, I would've gotten into this gig at a younger age, and, above all, I would've learned to drive as soon as I was out of school. And this holiday �as the frosted winter air and expensive hotel prices keep me from a fun party �I'm reminded of how much freedom the open road allows those with four wheels and a tank of ?gas. No clock checking, no canceled buses, and no overnight stay necessary. Just you and the road...

..??.And a thousand misanthropic, angry people in huge metal death machines.

In addition to freedom, having your own vehicle provides some with a sense of identity, even purpose. These are the people for whom the car is like a trophy lover, to be gifted with expensive presents, treated with love and affection, and paraded about as a symbol of status, pride, wealth, or style. And there are those who then take this six-figure token and utilize it for terrifying, death-defying races, willing to risk it all �body and wallet �for the cred of the crew and the heat of the fuzz. Couldn't be me... I grew up on Public Information Films.

Need for Speed Unbound understands this mentality and appreciates how, for some gearheads, the vehicle and its driver are one, with equal pride shared in looks, moves, vibe, and reputation. In the world of NFSU, Car and Driver are presented as a tag team, gunning for gold aga?inst the back?drop of the flamboyant and lucrative world of upmarket street racing.

And while the irresponsible, life-threatening nature of the "real life" scenario is undeniable, the stylized world of NFS offers pure escapism, where everyone is beautiful, your wallet is bott?omless, your garage overstocked, and crashing your car into a bollard at 173 mph is merely a harmless, threat-free byproduct of that golden chase for The Red Line. Buckle up.

Need for Speed Unbound (PS5 [reviewed], PC, Xbox Series X/S)
Developer: Criterion Games
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Released: December 2, 2022
MSRP: $69.99

Need for Speed Unbound, as its name would suggest, represents an amalgamation of the many sub-series within the Need for Speed franchise. Whereas the past three decades have seen the racing franchise focus on a certain aspect of rubber-burnin' �from the mission-based story of Undercover to the five-oh bothering cinematic style of Hot Pursuit —�em>NFSU p??resents something of a?? "Best of" for the decades-long franchise; a compendium of all of the modes, ideas, and aspirations of the series' legacy, combined into one red-hot title.

That said, there's no denying that the overall vibe of NFSU is most certainly the Need for Speed Underground series �bedecked in outlaw culture, dangerous street dueling, flashy wheels, and pop-off drivers declaring war like it's WrestleMania. Of all of the titles to propel the NFS brand into the ninth generation, EA has deftly chosen to go for the one sub-series that not only holds perhaps the most nostalgic memories for the NFS community at large, but also seems the most culturally contemporary for today's flas??h, cash, and gas world.

/?/www.youtube.com/w??atch?v=D5aU75h7Yzs&;ab_channel=NeedforSpeed

Take me back to the Paradise City

Need for Speed Unbound offers a full palette of colors from the NFS paintbox. Racers can enjoy the highway/mountain burns of NFS proper, or the wheel-squealing runs through the dangerous nightlife of Underground, or indulge in a spot of police bothering chaos, as featured in Hot Pursuit (complete with NFS HEAT's star system). In addition to these activities, all cleanly imbued into the game world, players can also simply? let rip throughout Lakeshore itself �ripping through time trials, pulling off record drifts, smashing billboards??, or racking up a sightseeing tour of every gas station in the 'berg.

L??akeshore?? is packed with diversions for anyone living life one mile at a time.

If this all sounds a little familiar, then that's probably by design, as NFSU has more than a hint of Burnout: Paradise about it. Criterion's own genre-defining open-world racer was clearly at the forefront of the developer's mind when it came to the design and execution of Lakeshore City, and the experience in creating the rival series offers a boon in Unbound's favor. Between story chapters, cop chases, and 007-esque stuntwork, it is surprisingly easy to lose hours of playtime? simply ripping up the city, smashing speed limit records, or entering impromptu races, time trials, and the dangerous off-road obstacle course known as "The Takeover".

Lakeshore City is ?your oyster, so to speak, and you decide how to spend ?your time in it.

Thanks, bants. Thbants.

The spine of NFS Unbound is its story mode �an almost impressively rote and blah tale of betrayal, revenge, and retribution, set within the city's highly lucrative, ego-driven world of midnight clubs and pseudo-homicidal drivers. The player's? custom protagonist embarks on a hila??riously predictable and shockingly cliche narrative �one which offers little in the way of surprises to anyone versed in the cinematic oeuvre of celebrated thespian Vin Diesel.

While progressing through the story, all in-game earnings, (whether bagged on the streets or at the bookies), can be blown on a huge gallery of vehic?les and upgrades, with the player gunning their way through a tiered licensing system and obtaining the machinery necessary to qualify for the city's more elite street circuits. As Lakeshore opens up, a selection of side objectives and jobs-for-hire become available, from getting hot wheels (not the toys) out of the city under the watchful eyes of the feds, to becoming the most One-Star-Rated Uber driver in history. These missions all offer their own rewards, unlocking new safehouses as well as access to more vehicles and upgrades.

While all of this activity is fun and enjoyable, it has to be noted that NFSU's narrative and script absolutely do no??t make the grade. The soundtrack is perfectly suited for folk far younger and cooler than I, and the voice acting is perfectly fine, but the dialogue is atrocious, wall-to-wall with insufferable, cookie-cutter "bants". Once a character ended a call with "gotta bounce, yo, craving boba", I knew that we'd gone beyond "I'm  just too old" and into the realm of focus-group-approved dialogue.

It is, as the kids would say, Cringe AF.

What's going on under the hood?

Developed by the masterful Criterion Games, Need for Speed Unbound is a spectacularly polished title, which goes to great lengths to utilize the power of the ninth-gen platform. Even when run in Performance Mode, (and why not?), NFSU is a visual marvel, with atmospheric use of light, shadow, reflections, weather effects, and other visual trickery to dazzle the eyes. And when the lights go down and the roughest of riders come out to play, then the atmosphere truly comes into its own, as the neon blur of the city, the flare of the headlights, and that threatening flash of red and blue in the rearview bring the world of NFSU to life.

The key to any racer lies in its handling, and Unbound is pretty darn slick. Each and every vehicle feels accurately tuned to its bespoke ability, while ensuring that the whole game never feels too "simulation". While perhaps the most technically proficient NFS title in years, engagement remains a top priority. Criterion has ensured that the newly overhauled mechanics never get in the way of simply having a rip-roaring time. NFSU remains a fully accessible "arcade" title �to be enjoyed by fans of Gran Turismo or Crash Team Racing.

NFS Unbound has flash and flare in spades. The blend of "real-life" visuals with cel-shaded graffiti animation is one of the legitimately coolest mechanics added to a racer in years, and the juxtaposition of the two visual elements works because of, not in spite of, the tonal clash. This whole vibe �Grit meets Party �is NFSU's personality, and I would hope that a potential sequel would see Criterion dare to go even further with this style, presenting a racer that feels truly ripped from the walls of the inn??er city.

NFSU is kitted out with an incredibly deep customization system, featuring bespoke livery designs, a vast palette of colors, multiple metal types, and hundreds of accessories, underglows, rims, exhausts, bumpers, spoilers, and even horns. NFSU allows those with the time and prerogative the opportunity to build a custom garage full of beautiful, bespoke vehicles. And whether your dream car is the latest Lambo or The Homer, you'll likely find that you're able to capture your perfect aesthetic f??or your four-wheel babies.

Oh, and yes, the player avatar is basically as customizable as the cars themselves �with an ever-growing catalog of real-name brand clothing, as well as myriad options for skin tone, hair, build, makeup, and taunts. You gotta love how developers have basically found a way to crowbar WWE SmackDown's Create-a-Wrestler mode into every gaming franchise. Sadly, despite an intense search, I'm yet to find Michelle Rodriguez's pleather flame plants from the first Fast & Furious movie...

...And we were so close to 10/10.

I can't drive 55

Ever since its heady, 3DO-based inception back in 1994, The Need for Speed has struggled to maintain its grip as the King of the Arcade Racer. The ensuing decades have seen th??e series hit its highest hig??hs and lowest lows as it attempts to find its sweet spot in a pretty fierce, hardware-driven marketplace.

With Need for Speed Unbound, however, Criterion and EA have successfully married the finer points of the series' past to Criterion's own excellence in delivering taut and exciting racing action. And, further bolstered by the power of the ninth generation, new technologies afford NFSU the burst of nitrous that the series has chased for some time, revi?talizing a brand that many had thought was read?y for the scrapper's yard.

Need for Speed Unbound is a highly enjoyable and splendidly polished arcade racer. Criterion has picked meticulously through almost 30 years of NFS legacy, stitching together its finest elements to create a brilliant, feature-packed amalgamation that offers compelling gameplay, deep design, and dazzling aesthetics. Simply put, Need for Speed Unbound is ?one of the best entries in the history of the franchise.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]}

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A sizeable shake-up following Criterion's latest game

Some changes are being made at Electronic Arts' Criterion Games, following its latest launch. Five long-time developers at the studio are leaving, just after Criterion launched Need For Speed Unbound.

As reported by GamesIndustry.biz, Criterion GM and VP Matt Webster is leaving the studio after working at Criterion for more than two decades. Head of studio development Alan McDairmant and head of content Steve Uphill are also departing, as well as executive producer Pete Lake and senior?? technical direct?or Andrei Shires.

All five put in? a sizeab??le chunk of years at the company, and all are leaving to explore "new opportunities outside of EA," via GIbiz.

David Rutter, the GM of EA's racing group, has announced some shifts following these departures. Charity Joy from the EA Sports UFC team is joining as executive producer for Need For Speed, while Codemasters' Geoff Smith is m?oving over to take up a spot as senior director of product development. Th??e two join head of studio operations Steve Cuss, who has stayed in his role.

"As we look ?ahead, we know there’s a strong opportunity to evolve our games and experiences, and bring them to an even broader audi??ence of fans–with our long-term strategy centered on our strengths in licensed motorsports as well as arcade/open-world racing," said Rutter in a note to staff.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2Y8XCe7F9E

Speed unleashed

The latest Need For Speed, Unbound, rolled in rather suddenly this month. The latest entry in the series takes a different aesthetic approach, leaning on some stylized features that give me some Spider-Verse vibes. Still, it seems like the reception has at least been somewhat solid.

Nevertheless, these are some notable departures for Criterion. Hopefully the long-time racing game studio can lean into the curve on them and come out ahead?.

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Mee-Maw, Mee-Maw...

While I will be the first to admit I'm totally garbo at racing games, I can't help but be bewitched at the rollout of trailers for upcoming Electronic Arts release Need for Speed Unbound �Case in point: This dazzling new preview, which spotlights our street racers in the midst of a little tête-à-tête with The Law.

The "Risk & Reward" trailer spotlights the dangerous with highly effective driving abilities that will help our night riders outrun Five-Oh, out in force and ready to put an end to their nefarious nocturnal activities. Hazardous high-speed drifts, bone-rattling handbrake turns, and a dose of the old nitrous oxide are all tools that will help the savvy racer put distance between themselves and a jail cell �at the ultimate risk of a brutal, wa??ll-shattering smash and the loss of more than just First Place.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5aU75h7Yzs&t

And in the midst of this Most Wanted-style chicanery, Criterion Games' latest road-ripper absolute stuns with its beautiful visuals, impactful colors, unique marriage of typical CG visuals and traditional animation, and immersive lighting, shadow, and weather effects, all gunning at silky smooth frame rates. By choosing to gun for current-gen platforms only, Need for Speed Unbound is clearly aiming to wow its fanbase with its speed, polish, and bespoke visual style... Goddamn, this is a good-looking video game.

Need for Speed Unbound ???launches on PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X on December 2.

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Pedal to the Metal

Following on from several months of leaks and rumors, Electronic Arts has finally lifted the curtain on the next entry in its long-running racing game series Need for Speed �As whispered by industry insiders, the new entry is titled Need for Speed Unbound, and will launch on PS5, PC, and Xbox Seri????es X on December 2.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2Y8XCe7F9E

As you can see from the stylish trailer above, soundtracked by the dulcet tones of A$AP Rocky, NFS Unbound will see a return to the competitive and combative street racing vibes of previous franchise entries such as the excellent Need for Speed Underground. NFS Unbound will follow the escapades of a die-hard, passionate gang of street racers, as they?? battle their way through the neon streets of the city, the ever-present wail of police sirens floating listlessly?? in the night skies.

As is to be expected, NFS Unbound will feature state-of-the-art visuals and game mechanics, and will also place a heavy emphasis on player customization, allowing the community to modify and decorate their ride so it will spin as many heads as it will wheels �in keeping with the new game flashy fashionista aesthetic. Developed by racing genre veterans Criterion Games, it is a fairly safe bet that NFS Unbound will?? deliv??er when it finally pulls out of the garage this winter.

Need for Speed Unbound launches on PS5, ??PC, and Xbox Series X on December 2.

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DO NOT IGNORE

It's hard??ly the world's best-kept secret that Elect?ronic Arts is working on a new title for its long-running racing franchise, Need for Speed, but the publisher is yet to officially reveal the road-ripper in question �That looks all set to change very soon, as EA is now teasing an unveiling for later this week.

//tw???itter.com/NeedforSpeed/status/1576977802750234625?s=20&t=1dKOamnyYuNIT8s7j9dcqA

The official Need for Speed Twitter account has been updated with a spanking new "NFS" avatar and header image, which is amusingly splattered with the order "DO NOT IGNORE". Asked by a fan whether this meant the premiere of the new game was on deck, EA further teased with a shifty eyes emoticon. So let's take that as a yes. The new game is developed by Codemasters and is rumored to be titled Need for Speed Unbound.

This Twitter update arrives mere days after Giant Bomb writer and frequent spoiler Jeff Grubb, speaking on Giant Bomb's Giant Mess Mornings podcast, suggested that the NFS reveal was set to take place this week. Grubb has been proven to be pretty darn accurate in these matters, so it looks like NFS fans should start revving their engines, and keep their eyes peeled for a new trailer in th??e very fo??reseeable future.

We will, of course,? bring you all of the wheel-spinning deet?s right here on Destructoid.

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Hot Shots

[Update: Sony has now confirmed that Need for Speed HEAT, Granblue Fantasy: Versus, and TOEM ?are September's PlayStation Plus Essentia?l releases. The titles will be available to download from September 6.]

Regular as clockwork, French retailer Dealabs has leaked the three titles heading subscribers' way as part of the coming month's PlayStation Plus Essential offerings. According to the site, September will see EA racer Need for Speed HEAT, CyGames' fighter Granblue Fantasy: Versus, and delightful indie adventure TOEM m?ade available for download to PlayStation Plus m??embers everywhere.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4Q3uh2RaZo

Released in the fall of 2019, Need for Speed HEAT is the 24th title in Electronic Arts' long-running racing series, and represents the final s??eries entry developed by Ghost Games, before the franchise was returned to?? its veteran developer, Criterion Games, who continue to develop the series today.

Set against the backdrop of Miami stand-in Palm City, NFS HEAT features an open-plan city packed out with races, challenges, and objectives, while a story campaign sees the player attempt to climb the ranks of an underground racing collective known as The League. NFS HEAT received middling praise from critics and players?? on rel?ease.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JCSb837dF4

2020's Granblue Fantasy: Versus is a 2.5D fighting spin-off set within the universe of cult RPG franchise Granblue Fantasy. Developed by the tried and tested folks at Arc System Works, Granblue Fantasy: Versus sees a charismatic and compelling, (as well as highly attractive), cast of characters ??battle it out in well-designed one-on-o?ne fisticuffs.

Always facing an uphill battle due to the niche branding, GF:V is assuredly a solid fighter, but unfortunately struggles in a??n online capacity due to its smaller community and lack of rollback netcode. It remains, however, an engaging, great-looking fighter with a small army of devoted players.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxJPDQfYBqA

Made with passion and enthusiasm by independent outfit Something We Made, TOEM: A Photo Adventure is, as the title suggests, a thoroughly wholesome affair based on the concept of taking photos while exploring an ethereal fantasy mounta??inscape, meeting its denizens, and learning? its legacy.

While on a pilgrimage to experience the titular "TOEM," the player will encounter various characters and puzzles, all of which can be helped with the aid of some snap-happy camerawork. Available on PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch, TOEM received critical acclaim on release, even winnin??g a BAFTA for Be??st Debut at the 2021 iteration of the awards.

Assuming that Dealabs sources are correct �and they usually are �Need for Speed HEAT, Granblue Fantasy: Versus, and TOEM will be available to download for all PlayStation Plus subscribers in?? Septembe??r.

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Horse-powered Pockets

A new video has surfaced online which alleges to showcase gameplay for Electronic Arts' unannounced Need for Speed Mobile. The miniature racing title is currently in development at Chinese developer TiMi Studios �??a subsidiary of mobile gaming magnate Tencent �as per job listings that surfaced in 2021.

The 47-second video debuted on the Need for Speed Discord before eventually making its way to Reddit. Redditor "NFSLYY," (who claims to be the distributor of the footage), followed up with tidbits based on the build they claim to have access to. According to NFSLYY, Need for Speed Mobile is built in Unreal 4, and uses a revised map from 2019's Need for Speed Heat. The current build of the game features three cars —�the McLaren F1, the Lamborghini Aventador SVJR, and the Gallardo �and the title does not have a story campaign, nor any "police?? chase" mechanics.

Of course, every single revelation has to be taken with a grain of salt �this is, after all, unofficial footage and unofficial details leaked by an unofficial source. But the video, if genuine, offers Need for Speed fans their first look at the iconic racing franchise's transition to the smallest of screens. Leaks such as this one have been known to force the hand of a publisher, so perhaps we'll be hearing some more official news on Need for Speed Mobile from EA in the very near future.

Back in the AAA gaming space, a brand new Need for Speed title remains in development at Criterion Games. The as-yet-untitled release is expected to launch on PC and console platforms later in 2022.

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Including Frostpunk, Journey to the Savage Planet, and Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered

Amazon Prime members have nine free-with-their-membership PC games to claim as part of the Prime Gaming December 2021 lineup, and a few of them �most notably Frostpunk and Journey to the Savage Planet �are pretty fantastic. The rest are... okay!

Here's the complete December lineup, which will be claimable starting December 1:

• Frostpunk
• Journey to the Savage Planet
• Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered
• Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel Without a Pulse
• Tales of Monkey Island Complete Pack
• Football Manager 2021
• Morkredd
• Spellcaster University
• Youtubers Life

Maybe Stubbs the Zombie is more your s??peed, but I'd highlight the firs??t three names, easily.

Frostpunk is an engaging yet stressful city-builder that can pull on your heartstrings with dire scenarios to work through, and in a crowded genre, it stands out. Journey to the Savage Planet is a lighter spin on Metroid Prime action-adventuring, and while it's very talkative, it's a blast; there's online co-op, too! As for Hot Pursuit, this is the 2020 remaster. I liked the original release fi??ne, but at this point, the police chases are mostly a blu??r to me.

In terms of in-game extras, Prime Gaming will have the usual assortment of digital stuff to scroll past until you spot some freebies for games you're actively playing right now and are invested in. Among other offers showing up soon, Fall Guys will have a Prime Gaming Gifty Bundle on November 23, and Genshin Impact will hand out 60x Pr?imogems, 8x Hero's Wit, and 5x Bamboo Shoot Soup from November 24 through December 15.

Before the new group of games swaps in, there's still time to claim Prime Gaming's November titles �Control Ultimate Edition, Dragon Age: Inquisition, and Rogue Heroes: Ruins of Tasos among them. (That last one is a Zelda-style roguelite with multiplayer.)

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Battlefield 6 promises gameplay 'at an unprecedented scale'

The next Battlefield game is due out this fall, and to make the most of it – to try and do better than the likable but too often shaky Battlefield V – EA has tapped Criterion to assist DICE and DICE LA. As a result, the new main-series Need for Speed game is coming la?ter than expected – in fisc?al year 2023.

The news circulated in a publicly-released letter to EA employees written by chief studios officer Laura Miele. "Criterion is one of the strongest racing studios in the industry, and the work they have accomplished on the next Need for Speed is truly inspired and wi?ll breathe new life into one of our most storied brands," Miele said. "We're going to give Criterion the time to reach the game's full promise."

As for what's going on with 2021's Battlefield game, EA has "recently seen the first version of the reveal trailer for Battlefield and it's shaping up to be a truly amazing ?first look at this groundbreakin?g game."

"The project is tracking towards the franchise's earliest Alpha, the gameplay is at an unprecedented scale, and we are taking full advantage of the technol??ogy? in the next-gen consoles," she said.

_{Stellar Entertainment released Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered last year. Maybe we'll get another Criterion remaster to help tide fans over? It feels like only a matter of time for 2012's Most Wanted to be revived on current platforms.}

Miele stressed that the transition to remote work played a role in the decision to call in an assist from Criterion, noting: "...it does take more time to make games from home, and we ha??ve to balance ??that need with team health. The best way to set our teams up for success in this environment is to be focused and ensure our biggest projects have the resources they need to deliver for our players."

It's also worth reiterating that EA picked up Codemasters and everything that entails.

As Miele points out, "Codemasters has several launches coming in the next year, bringing players some outstanding new racing games in our [fiscal year 2022]." In the meantime, there's always room for more Need for Speed remasters; the last one, Hot Pursuit Remastered, launched in November 2020.

Best-case scenario, the next Battlefield and Need for Speed?? titles will live up to their potential even if the latter takes more time than expected. It feels like DICE needs a big win here on PS5 and Xbox Series X.

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Feel the Need?

One of the most popular entries in the Need for Speed franchise is getting ready to excite road-racers all over again, as Electronic Arts and Criterion Games have finally announced that Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered is coming to PS4, PC, Xbox One, and Nin??tendo Switch in November.

Originally released back in 2010 on PS3, PC, and Xbox 360, NFS: Hot Pursuit takes the gloss and sheen of the long-running racing franchise and applies it to a super-dramatic knock-down, drag-out road rager. Players can choose to hit the tarmac in a selection of h?igh-performance roadsters, while others chase them down and take them off??-road in several souped-up police cruisers, armed with a bevy of hi-tech gadgets and weaponry.

You can c?heck out a cheesy-ass traile??r, that doesn't feature nearly enough gameplay footage, below.

Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered is described as the "ultimate edition" of Criterion's debut entry in the NFS franchise, and will featur??e 60 FPS gameplay in stunning 4K resolution on PS4 Pro, PC, and Xbox One X. Other visual tweaks include a longer draw distance, support for more on-screen particles and objects, and improved shadows and reflective effects. All of the base game's modes and content will be included, as well as its DLC expansions. The new remaster will feature cross-play support and will see the return of the "Autolog" synchronous profile/multiplayer sys?tem.

While it appears that there will be a lot of minor changes in terms of overall resolution, lighting, and visual effects, in all the remaster doesn't look like a ground-up, redrawn affair. Still, Hot Pursuit has always looked and played solidly, and hopefully this new edition ?will give fans new and old a fresh opportunity to get out there?? and smash some roadblocks.

Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered launche??s November 6 on PS4, Xbox One, and PC via Stea??m and GOG. It will follow on Nintendo Switch on November 13.

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Free from October 6 through November 2

Sony has announced the latest P?layStation Plus lineup, and prepare to be "whelmed."

Starting on October 6, you can pick up Need for Speed Payback and Vampyr on the service, both of which are PS4 releases. You have until November 2 to claim ??them, at which point they'll be cycled out for something else.

Need for Speed Payback came out in 2017 and is currently the second-most-recent Need for Speed title, preceding Need for Speed Heat. Vampyr is from 2018, where the Dontnod action RPG was released on PC, PS4 and Xbox One. It's slated to arrive on Switch late next month. Both of them were re?leased to a semi-middling reception, so I understand if folks aren't super jazzed about PS Plus next month.

As a reminder, you have until October 5 to log in and claim PUBG and Street Fighter V. I suggest you do that! Street Fighter V has come a long way? since launch, and even the base ?version is worth trying.

PlayStation [Twitter]

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Ratings boards strike again

So often, the path that connects rumor and reality passes by all the same landmarks. A lot of times, we'll get a leak by way of retailer listing. A little while later, some country's ratings board will confirm a game long before a publisher announces it. By then, the suspense is lon??g gone.

That's the route we're taking with an upcoming remaster of Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit. In June, VentureBeat first outed the remaster. Then, in August, Amazon UK went live with a new Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit listing. Now, the Korean Games Rating and Administration Committee has a new page for the remaster.

One, two, three strikes and you're a real game. Sources say that the Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit remaster is due in November, but that might've changed because of COVID delays. Switch is the primary platform that has been mentioned, but it'll probably come elsewhere too. We'll find out the details whenever EA feels like formally announcing it. For now, however, it seems pretty likely that Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit remastered is more than just a rumor.

The? still-unannounced Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit remaster has been rated [Video Games Chronicle]

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Let's Go Mr. Driver

Amazon UK has a new bare-bones listing for a remastered edition of one of the most beloved entries of the Need for Speed series, Hot Pursuit. Amazon claims the?? remaster is headed to the Xbo??x One and Nintendo Switch platforms, with a supposed release date of November 13.

Released in 2010 for PS3, PC, Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii and developed by Burnout's Criterion Games, NFS: Hot Pursuit stripped back the simulation and customisation aspects of Electronic Arts' long-running racing series to instead present a bombastic, arcade-style wrecker, much akin to Taito's classic 1988 coin-op Chase H.Q.

While some players take up the role of getaway drivers, others are placed in high-performance police vehicles, tasked with catching up to the chase-ees and ramming them off the road. Assistanc??e was provided via spike strips, road blocks, and EMP attacks, which could be used to help slow down the target vehicles. All of this carnage was stylised with arcade-style handling and a movie-style aesthetic that featured cinematic lighting, special effects and stunts, all backed by a dramatic sub-Hans Zimmer score.

Highly praised on release for its exciting action, easy accessibility and appeal to non-racing game fans, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit is today considered one of the best entries in the NFS series. Electronic Arts made murmurs ea??rlier this year about remastering this classic release, but this Amazon listing is the be??st evidence yet that the cops 'n' robbers chaos is set to return. We will, of course, keep you informed if there is any official word pertaining to this release.

Need for Spee??d: Hot Pursuit Remastered for Nintendo Switch [Amazon / Resetera]

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Six more for the catalog

Electronic Arts is really putting the? ?"EA" in "Steam."

Let's pretend I didn't write that.

EA has been aggressively adding some of its back catalog to Steam, breaking free from the Origins shackles by which they were once bound. It started with a baker's dozen two weeks ago, followed by nine more last week.

In advance of today's EA Play stream, another six-pack have been listed on Steam. Among them, Titanfall 2 -- one of the?? finest games EA has ever published. It's on sale too! You can pick it up for $9.89 (even though it has been on sale and even free many times over the years).

?Here are today's EA Steam additions and their sale prices:

• A Way Out -- $14.99
• Dead Space 3 -- $9.99
• Need for Speed: Most Wanted -- $4.99
• Need for Speed: Payback -- $14.99
• The Sims 4 -- $19.99
• Titanfall 2 -- $9.89

This is jus??t the start of the glut of EA news. We'll be back in a couple hours to break o??ut everything that happens at EA Play.

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Green light for the community

A new update - going live tomorrow, June 9 - will add crossplay support to tarmac-turner Need for Speed Heat. As announced by publisher Electronic Arts this morning, the patch?? will allow players on PS4, PC, and Xbox One platfor??ms to burn rubber with each other for the first time in the racing franchise's history.

"We've always believed that games are better with friends. We don't want your platform of choice to be a barrier for that experience," said Criterion Games' Matt Webster. "We're thrilled to let you all know that on June 9, Need for Speed Heat will be the first Electronic Arts title to offer cross-play, meaning that player -? rega?rdless of their platform - can jump into Palm City together as one, united community."

The crossplay update is set to be the final update for the 2019 racer, as the team at Criterion Games embarks on developing the next release in the legendary Need for Speed series.

"Since the launch of Need for Speed Heat and as players continue to tear it up in Palm City, we're listening to what you love about this experience, and what you all believe could be even better," continues Webster. "With these insights, we have a terrific foundation to create the most expressive, most socially connected, action-packed game yet for Need for Speed fans and beyond."

This is not just the first Need for Speed game to support crossplay, but the first Electronic Arts title period. So if you've ever wanted to know which?? platform's playerbase was the fastest and furious...ist, it looks like you'll be able to?? find out very soon indeed.

Need for Speed Heat is available now on PS4, PC, and Xbox One.

Need for Speed Heat the firs?t EA game?? to get crossplay [Eurogamer]

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More to come

EA is making good on that promise to bring more games to Steam nine yea??rs after an exodus from Valve's platform in favor of its o??wn marketplace, EA Origin. This rekindled relationship just took a big step forward as EA added 13 more games to Steam.

This morning, EA put these games on Steam:

• Burnout Paradise Remastered ($5)
• Crysis 3 ($10)
• Dragon Age II ($10)
• Dragon Age: Inquisition ($20)
• Fe ($10)
• Mirror's Edge Catalyst ($10)
• Need for Speed ($10)
• Need for Speed: Heat ($28)
• Need for Speed: Rivals ($10)
• Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for the Neighborville ($20)
• Sea of Solitude ($10)
• Unravel ($10)
• Unravel 2 ($10)

Most of them are old, but some of them are relatively new. Also, all of th??em are on sale -- a minimum of 50 percent but some all the way up to 75 percent off. The listings above reflect the sal??e price. The discounts are good until July 9.

However, if you don't want to jump in head-first on full-blown ownership, EA is also bringing its subscription service to Steam. EA Access will launch sometime this summer, and its library will include all the games listed above. EA Access is expected to run $5 per month, which is how mu?ch it costs on EA Origin.

There's more coming too. This i?s just the "first wave" of EA games on Steam. It'll eventually ?swell to more than 25 games total. EA says that we'll get more info about EA Access and new Steam games during EA Play Live next Thursday.

EA Games Come to Steam [Electronic Arts]

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Ghost Games is done but not dead

Need for Speed has floundered for the better part of a decade, and Electronic Arts evidently expects more horsepower from its most recognizable racing series. After an underwhelming stretch, Need for Speed has been take?n from Ghost Games and reassigned back to Cri??terion Games.

EA confirmed the shift to GamesIndustry.biz, saying "With a strong history and passion for racing games and vision for what we can create, the Criterion team is going to take Need for Speed into the next-generation." Criterion is UK-based and is most well-known as the developer of the Burnout games that were beloved in the early 2000s. Criterion also led development on Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit and Need for Speed: Most Wanted, which were both received very positively.

As for Ghost Games, EA has new plans for the Swedish studio. It'll be renamed EA Gothenburg, and the team will be assigned to engineering support on the Frostbite eng?ine. EA says it's trying to transfer people in creative roles over to other studios. There are 30 emplo??yees whose jobs are up in the air right now.

The next Need for Speed title will mark the first time Criterion developed a new game as the primary studio since 2012's Most Wanted. It has spent the past few years providing support for EA DICE on the Star Wars Battlefront and Battlefield franchises. Maybe this is the tune-up Need for Speed needs, because the past decade saw better racing series like Forza Horizon blowing right past it.

EA will move Nee??d for Speed development back to Criterion [GamesIndustry.biz]

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The Heat is On

Developer Ghost Games has been celebrating the launch of its road-ripper Need for Speed: Heat, after the latest entry in the long ??line of racing games s??aw the franchise's biggest launch this generation.

"NFS Heat set a new record during the first week with more of you playing this game than any other NFS title th??is generation," tweeted Ghost Games. "Thanks to our community for bringing the Heat!" The actual sales figures themselves were n?ot revealed.

This milestone means NFS Heat has surpassed the launch figures for the eighth generation's previous Need for Speed releases, including Rivals, No Limits, and Payback, as well as the 2015 reboot, simply titled Need for Speed. NFS Heat has garnered mostly positive - but not? exceptional - reviews from the gaming press and its fanbase.

Need for Speed Heat is available now on PS4, PC and Xbox One.

#NFSHeat set a new record during the first week with more of you playing this game than any other NFS title this generation. Thanks to our community for bringing the Heat! pic.twitter.com/4BhGpdKsup

— Ghost Games (@GhostGamesEA) November 18, 2019

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This series can't seem to catch a break

On the one hand, I'm glad EA and Ghost Games waited to open up about Need for Speed Heat. I like to think that we don't need a year-long marketing rollout for a game like this. We're 20+ installments into the series; a few months is plenty. But on the other hand, gosh, it sure is easy to forget how?? close it is.

Here's a slightly premature launch trailer to remind us that Need for Speed Heat hits PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on November 8 – and an extra reminder from me that, for what it's worth, there aren't loot boxes this time and you can play the game offline. Surely it'll be a step up from Payback. Surely.

This one is leaning into?? a night-and-day duality. At? night, you'll try to earn cred in illegal street races and dodge the cops until you reach a safe house. During the day, you'll try to be an upstanding citizen.

For a lot of players, it's going to come down to the map. Is it fun to hunt for collectibles? Does the world lend itself to high-speed pursuits? Can you see where you're going? That'll be the difference-maker.

Leaving the desert behind, Heat is set in a Miami-inspired area called Palm City. "We wanted a big city location that could deliver dense urban action and open-world cop chases while capturing the feel of fan favorites Need for Speed: Most Wanted '05 and Underground," according to Ghost Games.

I can see people using EA Access to get their fill (or waiting for some holiday discounts to kick in). If you're thinking of going that route, note that the NFS Heat Play First Trial starts on November 5.

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That's what I call hot pursuit

Just a few days after it was formally announced, EA has given us our first proper look at Need for Speed Heat.

As a part of today's gamescom: Opening Night Live, EA debuted the gameplay trailer for Need for Speed Heat. It's kind of split up into two phases, and the difference between the two is day and night. No, it's lit????erally day and night.

Daytime is full of sanctioned racing ev??ents, living fast and f??urious but also within the rules. Nighttime is when the illegal street racing takes place. It's also when the cops are hot on your tail. Evade the authorities, race to the checkered flag -- it's all a matter of just driving hella fast.

Need for Speed Heat launches on PC, PS4, an??d Xbox One on November 8.

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PAYBACK

It looks like Need for Speed Heat, EA's upcoming sequel in the long-running racing series, will be ditching loot boxes. After announcing the game yesterday, EA community manager Ben Walke held a Q&A on the Need for Speed subreddit to answer some fan questions about the latest entry. In a rundown of the game's features, it was specifically pointed out that Heat will not have any "surprise mechanics" in it.

"Coming into the reveal one of the things we agreed we would detail is the monetization options, no loot boxes, car packs, etc. No scapegoat here," Walke stated. EA is looking to go with a more traditional DLC route of concrete packs. "We plan to have post-launch paid-DLC in the form of car packs," Walke detailed. "Later this year we'll introduce a time-save pack, which will show al??l collectibles on the map."

Considering the biggest fault with 2017's Need for Speed Payback was its awful randomized loot drops, this sounds like a step in the right direction. I certainly like the art style that Heat is going for and it's not like Ghost Games can't make a decent NFS. I'?m hopeful we'll see something good com??e this November.

Need For Speed Heat ditches any form of loot boxes [VG 24/7]

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Ghost Games is handling it

Electronic Arts fully revealed the new Need for Speed game, which is set to debut this November on PC, PS4, and Xbox One: Heat. The Need for Speed franchise has always had a penchant for fiery monikers, dating back to "Hot Pursuit" in 1998, and Need for Speed Heat will focus on a "rogue police force" a?nd street racing with an open w?orld setting.

In what is possibly one of the most generic marketing statements this year, EA says the game "deepens and expands everything Need for Speed fans love – expressive customization, authentic urban car culture, and an immersive narrative that pulls you into the game." In all seriousness it doesn't look bad, and given that Ghost Games (who has handled three NFS titles already, which slowly improved over time) is back, it's a good s??ign.

Naturally your EA pre-order bonus incentives are in, including the BMW i8 Coupe, Mercedes C63 AMG Coupe, Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport, player cosmetics, and increased in-game currency boosts for the deluxe edition. There's another curious promotion: if you pre-order the game from inside Need for Speed Payback (the last entry, released in 2017) you'll ge??t a 10% discount.

Need for Speed Heat launches on November 8, but EA Access and Origin Access Basic members can play 10 hours of it early on November ??5.

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No stalling

Electronic Arts have bust out that time-tested, industry-approved hype generator - the mysterious countdown website - in order to generate heat for an all-new entry in their long-running, road-ripping Need for Speed f?ranchise.

The site features a slick "NFS" logo design and a simple clock, which is scheduled to hit the big zero on Wednesday, August 14 at 07:00 PT / 10:00 ET / 15:00 BST. Fans should make sure they're in gear for all of the hot news regarding the next re??lease in this now 25-year-old racing series. We?'ve come a long way since the Panasonic 3DO, baby.

Need for Speed countdown teaser site [Official]

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It's taking a pit stop

A new Need for Speed game is coming out this year, but it will not be present at E3 2019. A blog post over on EA's site announced the unsurprising news and then shattered hopes that we'd get a glimpse of the racer next month. It seems EA isn't quite ready to show off what the future of NFS is.

EA DICE's Ben Walke stated, "Our goal is to deliver a truly memorable high-speed entry into the 25 years of NFS, rather than a series of promotional events. The game matters most – a sentiment we bet you share with us." Considering the last entry, Payback, wasn't well received, that seems l?ike a ?good plan.

With E3 likely going to be dominated by Microsoft and news of a new Forza, I can't blame EA for waiting on this. It would be wiser to pick a time when nothing else is g?oing on?? than to dump a bunch of info on a title that will inevitably be compared against the likes of Microsoft's juggernaut.

New Need for Speed coming this year, won't be at E3 [VentureBeat]

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And 'related Titanfall experiences'

As of late, EA's short-term release schedule has been something of a mystery. We've known we're getting Anthem later this month, and, just yesterday, Apex Legends stealth-launched. T??oday, EA has added some franchises to the cal?endar year.

As part of its 2019 third quarter fiscal report to investors, EA has confirmed new entries in popular series that should launch later this year. Need for Speed and Plants vs. Zombies are both getting new games. Further, EA says the Respawn-developed Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is expected to launch this fall alongside the regular gl??ut of sports titles.

More ambiguously, EA also mentions it's "grow[ing] Apex Legends and related Titanfall experiences." It's anyone's guess as to what sort of Titanfall project is in the works, because it evidently isn't Titanfall 3. Maybe the entirety of Star Wars is canonically set in the Titanfall universe.

Electronic Arts Reports Q3 FY19 Financial Results [Electronic Arts]

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AND IT'S FREE!

Need for Speed Payback will soon be adding an online free roam option for all players. This free DLC update will let friends start lobbies and explore the game's world to their heart's content. The mode was announced via the official Need for Speed Twitter acco?unt wi??th further clarification of its free status.

Need for Speed Payback has a lot of problems, but one of the biggest omissions was online free roaming lobbies. This was a feature present in the last iteration of the series, so one has to wonder why EA and Ghost Games thought it necessary to exclude it in Payback. At least that is now being rectified, though the release date is any?body's gu?ess.

Need for Speed [Twitter]

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'Shipments'

The revolution may have begun on loot boxes, or at least as far as EA is concerned. While there isn't truly a victory in the case of Star Wars Battlefront II as the boxes are only "temporarily" on pause, the developers of Need For Speed Payback have revised the way they a?pproach their take on?? it.

You can view the entire changelog below, but the gist is that you now get more in-game XP for playing, which results in more rewards. This is by way of just plain giving out more progress and allowing more avenues to actually earn XP. One of the most contentious ideas, the fact that cars are upgraded with cards, remains intact.

As the industry continues to grow, EA of course once aga??in goes overboard with a mechanic several other developers have gotten less flak for. Between them and WB, they've killed off a lot of bad ideas like online passes due to justified fan outrage.

Progression updates rolling out [Reddit]

• Increased the amount of REP awarded by taking part in events.
• Increased the amount of Bank awarded by taking part in events.
• Bait crates now reward increased REP.
• Bait crates now reward increased Bank.
• Competing against a Roaming Racer will reward you with increased REP.
• Competing against a Roaming Racer will reward you with increased Bank.
• Air Suspension will now appear more frequently within Shipments.
• Slightly increased REP and Bank for finishing an event outside of first place.

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Maybe it's time for another Burnout instead?

In my review in progress of Need for Speed Payback I said: “I wouldn't dare attempt drinking and driving in the real world for obvious reasons. But, in the seemingly lawless land of Need for Speed Payback??, I think it's the only way to play and enjoy this game.” Now, ?after beating the game and with over 30 hours invested into it, I've come to the conclusion that maybe you're just better off simply drinking, instead of playing this game altogether.

The concept and goal for Need for Payback Payback sounds simple enough on paper: Create an open-world arcade racing game with a heavy emphasis on action-packed set pieces, taking cues and inspiration from the Fast & Furious films -- specifically the ones with a certain "electrifying" individual. However, due to a mixed bag of awful business decisions, an uninteresting story with some of the worst dialogue I've heard in recent memory, thrown in with a dull open?? world, we now have a new low point for this 23 year old franchise.

Need for Speed Payback (PC, PS4 [reviewed], Xbox One)
Developer: Ghost Games
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Release Date: November 10, 2017
MSRP: $59.99

For those curious what I mean by &??ldquo;bad business decisions,” Need for Speed Payback may contain possibly one of the most egregious uses of the loot boxes I've seen yet in the form of ??the “shipments” ?and “speed cards" which completely jump the shark in how they're utilized. For context, Need for Speed as a franchise is iconic for the heavy amount of tuning and customization options you're given for various vehicles. From adding various tire smoke colors, rims, hood options, splitters, and spoilers ?-- all of this is still present in Payback, it's just all simply cosmetic now.

Instead, progression for the most p?art is built around the newly introduced speed cards, allowing you to upgrade various aspects o?f your vehicle, from the engine block, exhaust, ECU, and so forth. All of this then adds to your overall “car level” -- similar to that of “light” in Destiny 2. You earn these speed cards from completing various races throughout the game, buying them at tuning shop?s in the open world, opening up premium shipments (loot boxes), or spending trade-in tokens.

Where this system completely falls apart, howe?ver, is in how this progression is handled within the game itself. Races and various events around the open-world will have a “recommended level” that clues you in on how challenging the race will be, or the types of vehicles that might be utilized. During my time with Payback, I generally found myself below the recommended level, roughly by about 20-40 levels or so. Despite this, thanks to the odd free shipment and replaying older races occasion?ally for more speed cards, I was generally able to progress, not of course without being annoyed by it all. That annoyance though, became a feeling of hopelessness once the final act of the game rolled around and I checked the recommended level.

Here is wh??ere the game became an awful, mind-numbing experience as I then found myself grinding various races repeatedly, simply so I could progress. Mind you, you can still run these various races or events despite being under recommendation, but I found some of them, the drag races in particular, to be almost impossible if you weren't near the re??commended level. Even worse yet, as I began grinding races, I found myself constantly earning speed cards that weren't even as good as the ones I had currently equipped.

As for the racing itself, Payback does offer a nice variety of events around the open world. Everything you've come to expect, from off-roading and hitting huge jumps, drift events, and tons of street and drag racing with a heavy focus on tuner cars. The vehicl??e selection is also decent, everything from my personal favorite (and cover star, no less) the Nissan Skyline GT-R, to pricey and glamorous super cars such as the Lamborghini Aventador Coupé. The vehicle selection isn't gonna be as massive as what you'll find in the recent Forza titles, but it's larger than most arcade racing games, with plenty of cosmetic customization and tuning option??s, with the vehicle models themselves looking solid.

I enjoyed tuning my McLaren 570S into a drag racing monstrosity... once I'd finished grinding for the speed cards I needed. Because, for whatever reason, you can't transfer them over from other vehicles -- I guess that would be far too convenient. So, if you're like me and want to experiment with a number of different vehicles, prepare yourself for one hell?? of a grind. As for the multiplayer side of things, Payback features the bare-minimum in the form of casual unranked playlists and ranked playlists. Obviously multiplayer will be different from person to person, but generally it's the typical NFS multiplayer experience I've come to expect over the years.

As for the main campaign and premise of the game, you'll be playing and swapping between three different characters: Tyler, who specializes in street racing and drag-racing, Mac, who specializes in drifting and off road racing, and lastly Jesse, who specializes in the runner missions (out-running cops). Throughout the game yo?u'll be racing and competing against various crews in order to move up the food chain and compet??e in an event known as “The Outlaw's Rush,” as well as attempting to stop a criminal organization known as “The House” from rigging races across the fictional mock Nevada known as Fortune Valley.

The end of each act culminates into a large scale mission, usually a heist, in which you then swap between various characters at given points through to perform various tasks. This is an interesting concept, similar to that of Grand Theft Auto V?, but overall, the missions can be summed up as driving through various checkpoints, watching a cutscene of a cool stunt or set-piece, and then escaping the cops. It all comes off feeling extremely scripted and lazy.

Much of Payback's story and writing also comes off similar, the character motivations in the overall story are extremely weak, almost comically so. The whole setup for this basic revenge story can be summarized as Tyler and crew attempting to rob a casino owner of his super car, only to be betrayed and have the car they were attempting to steal taken from them in the process -- resulting in this game's supposed namesake. Some of the general dialogue and delivery in this game is just downright awful at times, Tyler alone ended up being one of the most unlikable protagonists in a vide??o game I've played in years.

Much of the open world looks extremely drab, w??ith very little in regards to notable landmarks or locations, as well as being seemingly lawless, as the open world is devoid of any police vehicles outside of story missions or the occasional side-quest you'll stumble on. Worse yet, the police pursuits are now nothing more than a series of linear timed checkpoints which you'll need to drive through to escape. There is pretty much zero strategy in escaping the police in Payback and this, once again, comes off feeling lazy in terms of implantation.

Once the servers for this game inevitably go offline, with no way to obtain loot boxes, earn speed cards or trade tokens, I can't help but wonder? if the casual consumer would genuinely ever have the patience to fully complete this game. Need for Speed Payback is another result of EA meddling in the concept of “games as a service” and taking an otherwise mediocre entry in the series and completely butchering it in the process to achieve? this goal.

Here's hoping this trend of free-to-play business strategies in full priced games comes to an e??nd sooner, rather than later.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]}

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Fear and loathing in New Fortune

Growing up, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 and Need for Speed: Underground 2 were easily some of my favorite arcade racing games, and Underground 2 specifically has become a fan favorite of the series for many. Since then, I've gone back to revist these games with? each new entry in the series, as sadly, the seventh generation of hardware wasn't very not??eworthy for the franchise.

But in 2015, we would witness the reboot of the series simply named Need for Speed -- from developer Ghost Games. With a welcomed return to focus on tuning cars, street racing, a large urban open world, and all the while looking gorgeous to boot (despite the weird, bori??ng live-action cutscenes and other notable issues), Need for Speed showed some promise. It could st?ill easily have been expa??nded upon.

However, Need for Speed Payback comes off feeling like one step ahead and half a dozen steps back, follow?ed up with tumbling down a flight of stairs.

Need for Speed Payback (PC, PS4 [reviewed], Xbox One)
Developer: Ghost Games
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Release Date: November 10, 2017
MSRP: $59.99

Need for Speed Payback splits up the action between three different ch?aracters, each with their own distinct types of?? vehicles they specialize in. The first and primary character in the grand scheme of things is Tyler Morgan, who specializes in standard street racing and drag racing. Next, you have Mac for off-road racing and drifting, followed up lastly by Jessica Miller who specializes in police getaways with the “runner” class of vehicles, with a personality I can only describe as: the badass one.

But, to be fair, storytelling in Need for Speed has never been anything special. Payback however, comes off feeling like a B-tier Fast and Furious movie. Except now with an unlikable cast of characters with weak motivations and some of the worst dialogue delivery I've heard in a long time. Which, ??mind you, is still normally acceptable if it's at least contained within cutscenes.

But, Payback  is a special experience, as characters will spew comedically bad dialogue as you drive around the open world. Tyler, for example, has an odd obsession with tunnels I've learned. Almost every time I drove under a major tunnel in the open world, he'd mention just how cool it would be to race in a tunnel (despite the fact I've done that already, numerous times), or just how great the engine sounds going through a tunnel. Painfully bad dialogue such as this is common throughout the entire open world and game itself.

As I mentioned earlier, the game in many w??ays tries to also? mimic Fast and Furious -- which isn't necessarily a bad thing, as Need for Speed meets Fast and Furious? sound?s like a great concept for an arcade racing game. But Payback's execution of this is downright lazy, as ?pretty mu?ch every major set-piece or stunt I've seen so far has simply been a cutscene

Take for example the first major heist (which was also showcased at E3), in which you drive alongside a semi-truck in an attempt steal the vehicle inside the trailer. The entire thing can be summarized as taking out the muscle around the truck in a Burnout-style fashion, dodging things the truck has crashed into, then driv??ing next to it and watching a cutscene of the vehicle being stolen.

Oddly, the game also looks worse compare??d to the previo?us Need for Speed (2015). This might possibly be due to the larger open world, I can't say for sure, as both games utilized the same engine. With that said though, the open world of New Fortune (the game's fictional setting and mock-up Las Vegas) is lifeless and drab, with very little in noteworthy landmarks to see. Outside of the car models, the?? game also has plenty of flat and ugly textures overall, with plenty of pop-in as well on the standard PS4 version of the game.

As for the racing and gameplay, I can't quite yet give my full opinion, since I've only had limited access to the super cars and haven't fu??lly dabbled in all the various vehicle classes or race events. But, the arcade racing from?? what I've experienced already is about what I've come to expect from a Need for Speed game. Completely over the top (and forgiv?ing) physics, and vehicles that are fairly easy to drive (especially now with Payback introducing “live tuning” options, allowin??g you tune your vehicle anywhere, at any time), a??ll of which makes this a very accessible game to newcomers to the series.

However, the progression sys?tem in this game is possibly one of the worst and most egregious use of loot boxes I've?? seen so far in a relatively single-player experience. Fitting, considering its setting is based off Las Vegas and one of the characters is a casino owner no less. Payback refers to these as “shipments,” which are brok??en into two categories: base shipments and premium shipments.

Base shipments include: one cosmetic item, one part token (we'll get to that later), and one bank token (in-game currency) and can be ear??ned through doing in-game challenges, daily rewards, leveling up, etc. Premium shipments, on the other hand, offer the same as above, but include two additional “speed cards.” These premium shipments can be purchased with “speed points” -- the in-game premium currency.

Speed cards are essentially how you upgrade your vehicles and continue to progress in this game. Each of your vehicles now has an overall “level” (think of the light leve?ls in Destiny for comparison). T?uning and customizing your vehicle is?? still present in Payback, however it's now all simply cosmetic. Dif??ferent things such as spoilers, rims, rooftops, and the lik??e can be earned from doing various side challenges around the open world.

As you continue to race and perform in events, you'll also continue to earn speed cards, which will then add to your vehicle's level. But, as you progress, races and events will have "recommended" levels you'll need to meet, otherwise you'll get completely smoked by the AI. Within only the first few hours of the game, I had already found myself replaying previous races in order to try and earn more speed cards, since I ran out of in-game currency from purchasing other vehicles and could no longer afford speed cards at tune-up shops.

So, you can either get your grind on, pony up and buy some speed points, and start opening up them premium shipments, or begin utilizing those "part tokens" I mentioned earlier. Part tokens can be earned from base shipments or trading in speed cards you don't need. With these tokens you can then access the “trade-ins” menu of tune-up shops found in the open world. Here, you can potentially earn new speed cards for various tuning categories in what is a essentially a slot machine style of presentation for earning these speed cards, but that's okay, because you're always getting something! (At least according to the ESRB.)

Now throw all this in with a notable lack of any police cars in the open world outside of? various missions and scripted events. I wouldn't dare attempt drinking and driving in the real world for obvious reasons. But, in the seemin??gly lawless land of Need for Speed Payback, I think it's the on??ly way to pl??ay and enjoy this game.

_{[This review in progress is?? based on a retail build of the game provided by the pub?lisher.]}

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