Is NFS Heat better than Payback?
As a long-time fan who has poured countless hours into the Need for Speed franchise since the Underground days, I can definitively say that 2019‘s Need for Speed Heat is a superior game than its predecessor, Need for Speed Payback. When Payback launched in 2017, it suffered heavy criticism for its disjointed progression system and aggressive monetization tactics. Fortunately, Heat course-corrected in all the right ways – delivering an addictive core racing experience that respects players‘ time.
Read on for my in-depth analysis on why Heat beats out Payback as the better all-around Need for Speed game.
Slick, Responsive Handling Tuned for High Speed Thrills
The most important element of any racer is still the actual driving, and Heat nails the core sensation of speed and control. According to Digital Foundry‘s analysis, Heat reworked the physics and tire models to create a more grounded feeling without fully sacrificing that drift-happy arcade style. Cars feel planted and fast in a straight line, but quickly kick out their back ends to initiate smooth, controllable oversteer around corners.
In contrast, many critics panned Payback‘s loose and inconsistent vehicle handling that made cars feel disconnected from the road. This made trying to precisely weave through traffic or perfectly time drifts far more frustrating. Based on my experience in both games, Heat‘s refined model leads to significantly more dynamic races with tight packs of AI cars jockeying for position without random spin-outs shattering the pace.
Edge: Heat
Rewarding Progression System Respects Players‘ Time
Need for Speed has always been about unlocking visually flashy new cars and parts to customize your dream ride. But Payback‘s progression system was designed to push players towards buying special card packs with real money to skip the grind. Heat throws out this slot machine mechanic entirely in favor of performance upgrades tied directly to your driving accomplishments.
The better you perform driving at increasing Heat levels against escalating police pursuits, the more Rep and Bank you earn. This currency fuels meaningful upgrades across six core performance attributes, creating a satisfying loop. Optional microtransactions are still there for those low on time, but they no longer gate player progress.
| Game | Progression System |
|---|---|
| Payback | Slot machine loot boxes with RNG performance parts |
| Heat | Performance upgrades tied to driving accomplishments |
Many reviews praised this change – Heat finally got progression right again for those looking to earn their rewards through skill rather than wallet.
Edge: Heat
Innovative Day/Night Structure Mixes Up the Action
Another major shift Heat brings to the classic Need for Speed formula is the dynamic cycle between daytime sanctioned events and illegal nighttime street racing. As the sun goes down and you build more heat, the stakes rise as you balance risk vs reward avoiding escalating police pursuit levels. This unique structure brilliantly meshes the series‘ legal racing roots with the thrilling cat-and-mouse cop chases fans crave. Payback flirted with this concept via its story missions, but Heat commits fully to this day/night duality across all activities.
I rarely felt bored thanks to the variety of event types, dynamic police presence at night, and flexibility to instantly transition from one setting to the other. It may seem like a subtle change, but it keeps the action moving at a steady clip compared to Payback‘s more disjointed sequences and empty open world.
Edge: Heat
Microtransactions Less Predatory
I‘ve touched on it already, but Heat‘s removal of Payback‘s slot machine card packs and shift to direct performance upgrades makes its remaining microtransactions far less intrusive. Could they still tweak car prices to incentivize time-saving purchases? Sure. But you largely earn most vehicles through dedicated playtime, aligning with series roots.
Payback felt like a F2P mobile game with how aggressively it pushed you toward loot boxes for meaningful unlocks. Several publications docked it points for such blatant monetization efforts that clashed with Need for Speed‘s identity. Heat finds a healthier balance – offering convenience options without compromise core rewards.
Edge: Heat
As both a critic and unconditional fan of Need for Speed since Underground, I can say with confidence that Heat marks a powerful return to form after the missteps of Payback. By nailing the essential car handling, progression, activities, and respect for player time, Heat recaptures that irresistible Need for Speed magic many thought was long gone.
Could there still be areas for improvement? Absolutely. The visual customization options could be deeper and the minimal story is forgettable. But make no mistake – Need for Speed is back on the right track with Heat. And with sequels building upon these solid foundations, I truly believe the glory days lie ahead.
So if you wrote off Need for Speed after Payback like I initially did, now is the time to get back in the driver‘s seat. Heat will remind you why we fell in love with illegal street racing in the first place. Let the race wars begin!
