Need for Speed: Payback – Complete Game Guide
Need for Speed Payback is an open-world racing game developed by Ghost Games and published by Electronic Arts. Set in the fictional Fortune Valley, the game follows three playable characters as they take on a powerful criminal organization known as The House. Featuring cinematic missions, heist-style races, police pursuits, off-road events, drag racing, and extensive vehicle customization, Payback delivers an action-packed racing experience inspired by blockbuster films.
Release Date
- November 10, 2017 (Worldwide)
Price
Original launch price:
- Standard Edition – $59.99 USD
- Deluxe Edition – $79.99 USD
Current prices:
- PC – $5–20 USD
- PlayStation 4 – $10–20 USD
- Xbox One – $10–20 USD
The Deluxe Edition includes bonus cars, customization items, and additional rewards.
Platforms
- PC
- PlayStation 4
- Xbox One
System Requirements (PC)
Minimum
- Windows 10 (64-bit)
- Intel Core i3-6300
- 6 GB RAM
- NVIDIA GTX 750 Ti / AMD Radeon HD 7850
- DirectX 11
- 30 GB storage
Recommended
- Intel Core i5-4690K
- 8 GB RAM
- NVIDIA GTX 1060 / AMD RX 480
- SSD recommended
Where to Buy
Need for Speed: Payback is available through:
- Steam
- EA App
- PlayStation Store
- Xbox Store
- Physical retailers
Where to Buy Accounts
Payback uses EA accounts for online features. Buying accounts is not officially supported and may violate EA’s Terms of Service. Using your own account is recommended.
Where to Get Mods
Popular PC modding resources include:
- Nexus Mods
- ModDB
- GitHub
- Need for Speed community forums
- Discord communities
Online and Offline Mods
Offline Mods
Popular community mods include:
- HD texture packs
- Graphics reshades
- Better lighting
- Vehicle handling improvements
- Camera mods
- UI enhancements
- Performance optimizations
- Car unlockers
- Visual customization
- FOV improvements
Online Mods
Gameplay-changing mods should not be used in online modes, as they may lead to account restrictions. Cosmetic and offline modifications are the safest option.
Comparison With Similar Games
| Game | Focus | Best Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Need for Speed Payback | Story-driven racing | Heist missions |
| Need for Speed | Underground racing | Customization |
| Need for Speed Heat | Street racing | Day & night system |
| Forza Horizon 5 | Open-world festival | Huge map |
| The Crew 2 | Open-world exploration | Vehicle variety |
Screenshots
Achievement Guide
The game includes Steam achievements, Xbox achievements, and PlayStation trophies.
Main objectives include:
- Complete the Story
- Defeat The House
- Collect abandoned cars
- Complete side activities
- Upgrade multiple vehicles
- Reach maximum REP
How Long to Beat
- Main Story: 18–20 hours
- Story + Extras: 30–40 hours
- 100% Completion: 50–70 hours
Achievement / Trophy Guide
For 100% completion:
- Finish every chapter.
- Complete all collectible challenges.
- Unlock abandoned cars.
- Earn maximum REP.
- Complete every race category.
- Upgrade vehicles to top performance.
- Finish all activities across Fortune Valley.
Steam Deck Compatibility
- ✅ Playable
The PC version runs on Steam Deck using Proton with good performance and full controller support.
Controller Support
Supports:
- Xbox controllers
- PlayStation controllers
- Steam Input
- Keyboard
- Racing wheels (limited support)
Co-op Information
Online features include:
- Free roam
- Ranked multiplayer
- Speedlists
- Competitive races
- Friends leaderboards
There is no cooperative story campaign.
Cross-Platform Support
Need for Speed: Payback does not support cross-platform multiplayer or cross-save.
Similar Game Recommendations
If you enjoy Need for Speed: Payback, you may also like:
- Need for Speed Heat
- Need for Speed Unbound
- Need for Speed Rivals
- Forza Horizon 5
- The Crew Motorfest
- Burnout Paradise Remastered
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Need for Speed: Payback open world?
Yes. Players can freely explore Fortune Valley, discovering races, collectibles, speed traps, jumps, and hidden vehicles.
2. Can I play offline?
Yes. The main story and free roam can be played offline, while online multiplayer requires an internet connection.
3. Can I still buy the game?
Yes. It is available on Steam, EA App, PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, and through physical retailers.
4. Does the game have police chases?
Yes. Police pursuits return during story missions and special events, featuring increasingly aggressive law enforcement.
5. Does the game have achievements or trophies?
Yes. Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation versions all include achievements or trophies.
6. Is Steam Deck compatible?
Yes. The game is playable on Steam Deck through Proton with solid performance.
7. Can I customize my cars?
Yes. Players can extensively customize body kits, wheels, paint, wraps, spoilers, suspension, performance parts, and visual effects across multiple vehicle classes.
8. Are mods available?
Yes. The PC version supports community-created graphics enhancements, reshades, UI improvements, camera tweaks, and handling modifications for offline play.
9. Does the game have multiplayer?
Yes. Online modes include Speedlists, free roam, competitive races, and leaderboards with other players.
10. How long does it take to beat?
The main story takes approximately 18–20 hours, while completing all activities and collectibles generally requires 50–70 hours.
11. What are abandoned cars?
Abandoned Cars were time-limited events that allowed players to unlock unique vehicles. While the original events ended, many of these cars are now available through dealerships or later updates.
12. Is Need for Speed: Payback worth playing?
Yes. Its cinematic campaign, varied race types, impressive customization, large open world, and Hollywood-inspired action make Payback an enjoyable entry in the Need for Speed series, especially for players who enjoy story-focused racing games.