Need for Speed Unbound: A fresh chapter in street racing for the Modern Era

Three years after the silence, Electronic Arts announced a fresh Need for Speed installment. The first images drew mixed reactions, mainly due to anime-inspired visuals and the lack of clear details about some key innovations. But the project isn’t doomed. This piece gathers what is known about Need for Speed Unbound as of mid-October 2022 and attempts to predict the game’s potential success or failure.

About development

In February 2020 it was revealed that Criterion Games would lead the next Need for Speed, bringing experience from Hot Pursuit (2010) and Most Wanted (2012).

Initially slated for a 2021 release, the project was pushed to 2022 as development resources were redirected to Battlefield 2042.

In May 2022 EA announced the merger of Codemasters Cheshire with Criterion Games, expanding the Unbound team significantly.

Meanwhile, Codemasters Cheshire, known for work on the DiRT 5 car simulator and DriveClub, had contributed to prior racing endeavors.

During production, Criterion even engaged a Saint Petersburg artist for the soundtrack and video direction. After the Moscow EA office closed, that collaboration ended. French DJ Brodinski is now handling the game’s soundtrack.

Announcement

The first gameplay footage surfaced in late August when a Reddit user posted a brief three-second clip.

Even then, the distinctive project imagery appeared—a wing motif during a jump, and a skull design after a crash.
A month later an industry insider shared early details, naming the subtitle Unbound and hinting at a release window and trial participation by a notable American musician. These early hints proved accurate when the official reveal followed a week later.

Details about a new in-game skin referred to the performer’s involvement surfaced around the same time and sparked interest among fans. By October 6, EA began releasing additional materials about the project.

Game engine and car physics

Unbound runs on an updated Frostbite engine, with a planned overhaul of car physics to deliver a more nuanced handling model.

Given the expansive game world, car behavior will vary noticeably by track. The title targets PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S in 4K at 60 FPS, marking a leap beyond the 30 FPS cap of previous console generations for most of the latest installments.

Variable Refresh Rate support is included for a smoother image. The developers promise the deepest car behavior system in the series, letting each model showcase unique strengths and weaknesses during races.

New location, story and multiplayer

Unbound’s single-player campaign exists as a self-contained experience, not requiring online connectivity. The narrative follows the typical race plot of a repair shop being looted and a cherished car stolen, driving the player toward a pivotal street race and the personal journeys of supporting characters with their own unique vehicles.

The action unfolds in Lakeshore and nearby areas, with a map shown by the developers highlighting a significant portion of the playable space.

Multiplayer promises streamlined access: players can join online play with a single button, adjust how many players populate the open world, and race along a lineup of tracks rather than starting from a single point. One mode, Takeover Scene, tasks players with contesting control over city districts. The presence of A$AP Rocky in trials was noted, though exact details remain unrevealed.

Betting system and hype level

A betting mechanic has been introduced to inject risk into races. Players pay entry fees to compete, with potential rewards increasing alongside risk. The choice of which events to enter and how much to wager will influence overall progression.

Rounding out the single-player experience, a series of animated cutscenes is expected as the campaign unfolds. Players may also wager on race outcomes, such as predicting a rival’s underperformance.

Rival-like session mechanics from earlier titles return: the longer a player drives without retreating to a garage, the more money they earn, but police attention rises accordingly. If authorities catch a player with a high wanted level, the accumulated earnings could be lost. The police fleet will feature diverse models and tactics, and players may learn the locations of radar hotspots and find shelters during chases. Different police cars will have unique advantages and weaknesses.

Visual, technical requirements and content

The visual approach emphasizes a blend of realistic graphics with animated characters and drawn effects. After some backlash online, developers confirmed that the stylized elements can be disabled and are not tied to car customization options.

Creativity behind the look is inspired by street art and graffiti, described as a form of self-expression. In addition to disabling animated effects, a new approach to customization lets players reveal interior details by discarding certain exterior elements.

The style is augmented by cartoonish characters with anime influences, thousands of tuning possibilities, crossplay support, and ongoing post-release updates. The game is listed with 143 car models including brands like BMW, Lamborghini, Nissan, Porsche and Ferrari. As with the rest of the series, cars can be tuned and personalized.

A collector’s edition was announced with a boxed set, a black balaclava, a steelbook, stickers, graffiti-themed decals, and markers, while the base game would be purchased separately. Monetization plans were not fully disclosed at the time.

Technical requirements surfaced after Unbound appeared on Steam, and the game is reported to run on older video cards as well. There is no Russian localization or Russian retail presence announced.

Whether Unbound will stand out in the series and achieve commercial success depends greatly on how Criterion and EA monetize and refine the new visual style. The goal is to balance a strong street racing vibe with a clear, readable on-screen experience.

Ultimately, the developers do not consider Unbound a reboot. They argue that Need for Speed: Heat from 2019 was successful and that the emphasis is shifting toward the cars and street racing itself. Need for Speed Unbound is scheduled to release on December 2 for PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PS5. [Attribution: VG Times]