Need for Speed Payback is a racing game set in the open world environment of Fortune Valley; a fictional version of Las Vegas, Nevada. It is focused on "action driving" and has three playable characters (each with different sets of skills) working together to pull off action movie-like sequences. The game features an offline single-player mode.[2] Unlike the 2015 Need for Speed reboot, Payback features a 24-hour day-night cycle.[3] Numerous activities are available throughout Fortune Valley for players to complete, including speed traps, speed zones, long jumps, billboard smashes, and drift zones, and players can collect casino chips scattered across the map.
Events include street races and drag races, both handled by Tyler, off-road races and drift events, both handled by Mac, and runner work, which is handled by Jess, all of which rewards players with bank and REP. Before starting an event, "side bets" are given to players which give them extra bank in exchange for some if they complete it. Unlike previous installments, where police chases are a staple of the series, players do not accumulate "heat" after completing events, and police cars do not roam the map in search of players. Police chases are instead triggered by scripted events during the campaign and pursuit boxes found around Fortune Valley. Previously, Rav was able to contact the player regarding abandoned cars scattered across the map during a given time period, which would also trigger police chases; if the player manages to return to a safehouse with the car, they will be able to keep it. This made the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor playable, the first time since Need for Speed Rivals that a police car was a playable vehicle. Abandoned car rotations ended shortly before Need for Speed Heat's release.