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Need for Speed™ Payback similar games & best alternatives

Need for Speed™ Payback

PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, PlayStation 4 • 2020

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Quick resume

Set in the underworld of Fortune Valley, you and your crew were divided by betrayal and reunited by revenge to take down The House, a nefarious cartel that rules the city’s casinos, criminals and cops. In this corrupt gambler’s paradise, the stakes are high and The House always wins.

Global score

85/100

Genres

Action, Adventure, Racing, Sport, Strategy

Similar games

    Pros

    • Engaging arcade-style driving and drifting
    • Extensive car customization and wrap editor
    • Varied race types and open world exploration
    • Long playtime and habitual engagement
    • Decent story with cinematic moments

    Cons

    • Cringey story and dialogue
    • Grindy and rng-based upgrade system
    • Limited and mostly dead multiplayer
    • Some frustrating mission design
    • Lack of free-roam cops and realistic police chases

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

      Game with the same Autonomy vibe

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      "Players can choose from multiple characters and game modes, including racing and combat, allowing some freedom in play style."

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    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      2

      "Game involves skill development and overcoming challenges, but many reviews mention bugs and RNG elements that reduce predictability and skill impact."

      Capsule for Swords and Sandals 2 Redux Swords and Sandals 2 Redux

      "The game offers a moderate challenge with skill-based driving and drifting mechanics, but some tasks and upgrades rely on RNG and grinding, reducing predictability."

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      -2

      "Focus is primarily on single-player story progression and personal achievement; multiplayer is mostly dead or limited, with no strong competitive emphasis."

      Capsule for Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City

      "Focus is mainly on single-player progression and personal achievement; multiplayer is present but reportedly dead or limited."

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      4

      "Many players report long sessions and habitual play due to engaging vehicle building and driving mechanics."

      Capsule for Drive Beyond Horizons Drive Beyond Horizons

      "Many players report long play sessions, habitual engagement, and a desire to keep playing due to enjoyable driving and story."

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      1

      "Some multiplayer modes exist with friends, but mostly single player and limited cooperative interaction."

      Capsule for The Pirate: Caribbean Hunt The Pirate: Caribbean Hunt

      "Some multiplayer modes exist and players can join friends, but the experience is mostly single-player focused."

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      4

      "Extensive car customization and livery editor allow players to create unique visual expressions."

      Capsule for Touge Shakai Touge Shakai

      "Extensive car customization and wrap editor allow for significant player expression and modification."

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      -3

      "Interactions emphasize balanced competition and shared experiences rather than exerting control or superiority over others."

      Capsule for MX vs ATV Legends MX vs ATV Legends

      "Interactions emphasize balanced competition and story-driven rivalries rather than exerting control or superiority over others."

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      4

      "Players use the game as a casual, fun distraction and stress relief with simple, engaging arcade racing."

      Capsule for Little Racers STREET Little Racers STREET

      "Players use the game as a fun distraction with immersive driving and story, often to relieve stress or enjoy an arcade racing experience."

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily for fun and personal interest rather than obligation or external pressure."

      Capsule for Fortix Fortix

      "Players engage voluntarily for fun and personal interest rather than obligation or external pressure."

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      3

      "Multiple race modes and disciplines encourage trying different vehicles and race types beyond standard MotoGP."

      Capsule for Valentino Rossi The Game Valentino Rossi The Game

      "Varied race types and car classes encourage trying different driving styles and strategies."

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      3

      "Open world with collectibles, side missions, and hidden content invites exploration."

      Capsule for Saints Row IV: Re-Elected Saints Row IV: Re-Elected

      "Open world with collectibles, side activities, and diverse environments invites discovery."

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      4

      "Vehicle customization and design allow for personal expression through creative builds."

      Capsule for Instruments of Destruction Instruments of Destruction

      "Strong emphasis on visual customization and personal car design."

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      3

      "Arcade combat racing with exaggerated weapons and humorous characters creates a fictional, over-the-top experience."

      Capsule for Gas Guzzlers Extreme Gas Guzzlers Extreme

      "Arcade-style driving and over-the-top story elements provide an imaginative, cinematic experience."

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      1

      "Some community and multiplayer interaction, but mostly single player focused with limited social connection."

      Capsule for Imperium Galactica II Imperium Galactica II

      "Some social interaction through multiplayer and community content, but mostly single-player focused."

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      3

      "Players develop driving skills, tuning knowledge, and game mastery over time, though some find progression too fast or grindy."

      Capsule for Forza Horizon 5 Forza Horizon 5

      "Players develop driving skills and progress through story and upgrades, though some progression is gated by RNG."

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -5

      "Standard sedentary gaming experience with no physical activity elements."

      Capsule for Monday Night Combat Monday Night Combat

      "Standard sedentary gaming experience with no physical activity elements."

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -3

      "Requires active attention and engagement during races and missions; not designed for passive or background play."

      Capsule for Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing

      "Requires focused attention during races and missions; not designed for passive or background play."

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      -4

      "Minimal evidence of close social relationships; interactions are mostly surface-level or competitive."

      Capsule for Dummynation Dummynation

      "Minimal close social relationships; interactions are mostly surface-level or competitive."

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      -4

      "No leadership or group management roles; gameplay is individual or cooperative without hierarchy."

      Capsule for OlliOlli2: Welcome to Olliwood OlliOlli2: Welcome to Olliwood

      "No significant leadership or group management roles; gameplay is individual or cooperative without hierarchy."

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      4

      "Strong focus on upgrading vehicles, acquiring weapons, and progressing through missions."

      Capsule for Hard Truck Apocalypse: Rise Of Clans / Ex Machina: Meridian 113 Hard Truck Apocalypse: Rise Of Clans / Ex Machina: Meridian 113

      "Strong focus on accumulating cars, upgrades, and completing missions to advance."

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      2

      "Offers moments of flow and fun driving, though some missions can be challenging or frustrating."

      Capsule for Crash Time 3 Crash Time 3

      "Generally enjoyable and flow-inducing driving experience, though some missions and grinding can cause frustration."

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      3

      "Enjoyable audiovisual presentation with exciting animations and sound effects."

      Capsule for WWE 2K24 WWE 2K24

      "Good audiovisual presentation with satisfying driving feedback and exciting moments."

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      -2

      "Limited social recognition; achievements and leaderboards exist but are not central."

      Capsule for Heat Signature Heat Signature

      "Limited social recognition; achievements and leaderboards exist but are not central."

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      2

      "Story is present and humorous but considered cliche and less engaging compared to gameplay."

      Capsule for Disgaea 5 Complete Disgaea 5 Complete

      "Story is present and somewhat engaging for a racing game, though often cheesy and secondary to gameplay."

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      1

      "Some planning involved in event approaches and truck upgrades, but mostly straightforward racing and stunt execution."

      Capsule for Monster Jam Steel Titans 2 Monster Jam Steel Titans 2

      "Some planning involved in car upgrades and race approaches, but mostly straightforward arcade racing."

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      3

      "Police chases, races, and fear mechanic create suspense and excitement."

      Capsule for Heading Out Heading Out

      "Exciting races, police chases, and cinematic moments provide suspense and adrenaline."

    • Value

      Game with the same Value vibe

      4

      "Players feel the game offers good content and value especially when purchased on sale."

      Capsule for Wild West and Wizards Wild West and Wizards

      "Many players find the game offers good entertainment value, especially when purchased on sale."

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      1

      "Includes car collisions and police takedowns, but focus is on racing rather than destruction."

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      "Includes car crashes and police takedowns but focused on racing action rather than destructive violence."

    • Survival

      Game with the same Survival vibe

      -1

      "Some challenge in avoiding crashes and penalties, but overall low-risk environment."

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      "Some challenge in avoiding failure during races and missions, but low-risk overall."

    Analysis

    Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Intimacy, Leadership, Survival.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 30/04/2026