^^^ Criticism of each and every developer involved in the series is warranted, and Ghost has made their fair share of mistakes. I do however feel like they have the series pointed in the right direction, and it would be criminal to assign a new developer to the series yet again. Payback was an improvement over 2015 in almost all respects, and captures a "fun" aspect that has been missing from the series for a while now. If they continue to build on their progress, I would expect the next installment to be even better.
Here's a controversial topic for discussion:
In regards to the performance upgrade system, Payback's slot machine style system is almost universally loathed. But is it possible that it could actually be more fun and a better progression system than a normal one? Take 2015 for example. If you want to build a car to its ultimate level, you simply have to choose the highest tier of performance parts, click a button, and it is installed. If you have a lower-tiered part already installed, there's no performance "stacking," you are simply exchanging one part with its own baseline stats with another one. There's absolutely no strategy, no thinking, involved whatsoever. You want to max out a car? You just go down the list. You don't stop and think "Do I wanna put this new ECU on or not?" You just mindlessly go down the list and choose pictures, Bam, Bam, Bam,... money spent, you're done. - How is that actually simulating putting together a high performance car in the real world?
Now contrast that with Payback's system: In Payback, you go to the shop and you are presented upgrades that are designed to be incremental enhancements, thus encouraging the feeling of progression, like you earned it. The more you drive a particular car, the more powerful it becomes. The system forces you to be a car driver rather than a car collector. Also, with the additional perks attached to some cards, the system has also introduced a dynamic that the previous one didn't - Actually having to think about what you are doing. Yes, you can choose this level 12 part and replace your level 10 part, but your level 10 part has some perks that, if lost, will actually downgrade your car, and may not be the best option depending on your style of driving. You actually have to think about stuff like that instead of mindlessly clicking purchase, purchase, purchase..
I dunno guys, I thought it was totally weird at first, but the longer I play Payback, the more I appreciate the thought that went into the upgrade system. I genuinely enjoy it more than the old way. In Payback I go to the tuning shop wondering what little gem I might find or chance upon, whereas in other games there's no mystery, you know you are going to have 3 tiers of performance for each category of parts, and that's that.
What do you guys think?
