[Gamescom 2017] Need For Speed ​​Payback Hands On

The experience of Gamescom Cologne 2017 was packed with news for Electronic Arts, but above all the company has managed more than any other to amaze with the large number of gaming stations, and with the attractions that have followed one another between stage and showcase. Need For Speed ​​Payback, developed by Ghost, is one of the titles that we had the pleasure of previewing at the German event, with the possibility of undertaking both a campaign mission and a real race against the AI. We were also able to drive in one of the two splendid ones BMW M5, car that gained the stage during the event held on Monday! How was our test?

Definitely good. The change of setting, the return of sunlight, and a gameplay that even if arcade winks at a more grim driveability, are only the visiting card of what in all probability will be a huge renewal of the entire brand. The category jump was obviously made through the campaign mode, where in the mission we tried we will find ourselves face to face with the extreme diversity of objectives compared to past titles, such as ramming cars and destroying them (complete with a health bar), but even approach a truck to attack it! Last but not least, there is especially the transition from one character to another!

As we had anticipated in recent months, the story will revolve around three protagonists, which we will all check according to the needs of the plot. The change between one and the other takes place in a direct and dynamic way, without loading or anything else to affect the fluidity of the game and the story, but varying both our approach and clearly the car. There is also no shortage of spectacular scenes and video interludes, designed to maintain a great narrative sequence. We can therefore say that, in addition to a partially renewed gameplay, Ghost is putting us in front of a title that has a real script behind it, a pyrotechnic leap forward that pushes the brand to a new level, giving much more. than simple skill challenges.

Need For Speed ​​Payback then learns from the "mistakes" of the previous title, reshaping something that, however convincing, failed to really leave its mark. Was it really not having a face? An identity? Didn't it seem to you that it wasn't your story that was being told, but someone else's? We will find out very soon.