Review

Need for Speed Unbound

After the massive success of Need for Speed Heat, the series took a break to come back stronger and compete with top racing games like Forza Horizon 5 and Gran Turismo 7. While those games focus on simulation-style racing, Need for Speed leans more towards arcade-style racing, which is more accessible to casual players.

With minimal advertising and a quiet release, Need for Speed Unbound launched just two months after its announcement. The game does everything with a unique style, turning even simple elements into something fresh and exciting. From the soundtrack to the graffiti-inspired visuals, the game delivers a unique experience not seen in EA titles for a long time.

The Story

The story returns in NFS Unbound, focusing on two siblings who own a car garage that gets robbed. Their stolen car is used in illegal underground races, and they decide to infiltrate the underground racing scene to retrieve it. While the story isn’t epic, it provides a solid backdrop for engaging and fun scenarios.

Gameplay

The underground vibe is evident in every aspect of the game, reminiscent of classics like Midnight Club and NFS Underground. The gameplay caters to fans of those titles, offering a nostalgic yet modern experience.

The game features day and night cycles. You can participate in races during either time, but the winnings from races aren’t added to your account immediately. You must deliver them to your warehouse, while evading the police. The police chase system is among the best in the series, offering intense and challenging pursuits.

Participating in races increases your heat level, similar to NFS Heat. Night races offer higher rewards but also increase your heat level significantly, leading to more challenging police chases. The city of Lakeshore, inspired by Chicago, is beautifully designed with distinct day and night atmospheres, making every race feel fresh and exciting.

Online Mode

The online mode offers PvP races and free roam. Cars unlocked in the story mode are available in online mode, with additional cars available for purchase. While the online experience is enjoyable, the absence of police chases makes it less thrilling compared to the story mode.

The game supports cross-play, allowing players on different platforms to race together. However, server population is currently low, leading to longer matchmaking times.

Technical Performance

NFS Unbound targets Dynamic 4K at 60 FPS or Native 4K at 30 FPS on next-gen consoles. On PC, the game is demanding, with significant frame drops on mid-range GPUs at high settings. Lowering resolution or using DLSS improves performance.

For best performance, higher-end GPUs like the RTX 3050 or better are recommended. Mid-range PCs can handle the game at 1440p with stable frame rates.

Final Rating

8.5/10

If you want to buy the game, you can find it on the Gamezawy store.