Need for Speed Unbound

Next-gen urban racing game

Need for Speed™ Unbound is a premium racing game from Criterion Games. As the continuation of the long-running Need For Speed™ franchise, expect the same fast-paced action and the realistic depiction of customizable vehicles. In this entry, you are tasked with attempting to work your way to ultimately join and win The Grand, the top-tier racing challenge in the fictional area of Lakeshore.

In Need for Speed™ Unbound, the first thing to notice is the next generation of graphics and animation, with 4K graphics and cross-platform support. Other titles in the series include NFS: Most Wanted and Need for Speed™ Payback.

A more street feel

As the next-gen title, Need for Speed™ Unbound lets you play in stunning 4K high-definition video quality, with frame rates of 60 FPS across all supported platforms. Aside from the visual improvement, you can also play with your buddies on different consoles thanks to its crossplay feature. Additionally, it has full technical support for top-of-the-line setups, with HDR10 and VRR support for an even greater experience.

In terms of content, get ready for a more urban-focused premise. Aside from the races and the vehicles, the game offers a great focus on the aesthetic. The art style is heavily influenced by street art like graffiti and the soundtrack is more diverse — featuring tracks by A$AP Rocky and AWGE. As you drive, you can see these materials on the street or listen to them right inside your car.

The premise, however, could feel a bit more restrictive compared to earlier entries. Its main storyline takes place over only four weeks, with a single mission to guide most of your efforts. Also, all its features come at a higher cost. The game is designed for mid- to high-range systems. Playing at the minimum requirements won’t guarantee the top-tier experience this game is capable of.

Go for gold in Volume 6

Need for Speed Unbound’s patch 6.0.1 comes with a ton of great stuff and quality-of-life improvements, all intended to boost the gaming experience. On the forefront is the addition of Audi cars, and you can unlock the S5 Sportback and R8 Coupé as well as their body kits through the free Speed Pass tiers. Meanwhile, upgrading to Premium gives you the chance to unlock RS 6 Avant, too.

Interestingly, the new rides also come with a new handling model that has been fine-tuned to suit them. You’ll find that the Audis have a smoother drift feel and less snapping will occur. Plus, high-drift spec drifting is more effortless to do and the cars stay stable even when transitioning. On the other hand, Volume 6 also comes with a more loaded Speed Pass, filled with new customization options and an easier way to reach each tier.

Beyond that, the new patch also introduces a Dedicated PVP mode. In it, players can battle it out against each other in featured playlists that change weekly. Accompanying is a brand-new global player ranking system that rewards the ones at the top spots with XP, cash, and shiny titles. Moreover, there are 25 new races across A to S+ tiers, and XP rewards have been rebalanced for a few aspects.

Next-gen experience for next-gen setups

If you’re looking to take your racing experience to the next level, Need for Speed™ Unbound is the perfect entry to start with. Its street feel, exemplified by urban music and graffiti, is delivered in stunning visual quality. However, its technical improvements come with more demanding system requirements. With a more focused premise and an all-new set of in-game content, this is a welcome return for the franchise.