It was being teased for the past few days, with a reveal announced yesterday, and finally we have news about the new Need for Speed game. Titled Need for Speed Payback, the game takes players to Fortune Valley and plans to switch up the NFS experience in some pretty drastic ways. You can check out a trailer above to get a sense for the cinematic approach the series is trying to hit.
Players will have the opportunity to switch between three different characters in a more story-driven approach to the traditional Need for Speed campaign. In Payback, the characters are united by a singular purpose: vengeance. Who will you be seeking vengeance against? The House – a cartel of crooked cops, criminals, and owners of the city’s casinos. You’ll have to take on several challenges in order to earn the respect of other racers in Fortune Valley’s underground.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a NFS title if there wasn’t a deep amount of customization. Need for Speed Payback promises the most extensive customization the series has seen, allowing players to craft unique vehicles that match their driving style. This is cool to hear because 2015’s Need for Speed was definitely a great example of how to do customization right, and I would love to see the series push that further.
Those who want to pre-order the game will get five new cars in the Platinum Car Pack with exclusive Platinum Blue Tire Smoke. The Need for Speed Payback Deluxe Edition will give players access to the same car pack, as well as three days of early access and a bunch of in-game discounts and items.
The setting of Fortune Valley is definitely very Seattle-inspired, but it also doesn’t look like it stands out much from the rest of the series based on the trailer above. That being said, while the setting doesn’t, it’s about time that the series doubled down on its narrative. I’m bummed there doesn’t seem to be any FMV, but I’ll accept the fact that this just looks like EA making a The Fast and the Furious game. Which is something that has all the potential to be incredible, if they can deliver a tight gameplay experience.
Need for Speed Payback releases on PS4, Xbox One, and Origin on November 10, 2017. Let us know in the comments below whether you’re excited for this next installment in the racing franchise!
Source: EA Press Release