Need for Speed Unbound

Criterion Games · Electronic Arts

Need for Speed Unbound is Criterion Games' 2022 street racing game. Set in Lakeshore, a fictional city inspired by Chicago, it follows a driver working their way up through underground races towards a big event called the Lakeshore Grand. The first thing you notice is the art style. Realistic cars are mixed with graffiti-style effects, cartoon smoke and painted wings that appear when you boost or drift. It gives the game a loud, music-video energy. The soundtrack is hip-hop heavy, featuring A$AP Rocky, who is also a character. How it plays Unbound is an arcade racer with a heat system: the more attention you draw from the police during the day and night cycle, the bigger your rewards, and the bigger the risk of being busted and losing the day's cash. Racing is built around drifting and drafting to earn nitrous. The new Burst Nitrous gives short, powerful boosts after drifts, rewarding aggressive driving. The single-player is structured in weeks, with qualifiers you must win to move forward. Online is separate: you can race with up to 16 players in an open lobby with events, playlists and police chases. Setup at a cafe PS5 or PC with a controller. It supports wheels, but it is a drift-happy arcade game first, and most players prefer a pad. There is no split-screen, so friends need separate stations to race together online. You will need an EA account. Beginner tips Learn the brake-to-drift technique; tap brake while turning to slide, then catch it with the throttle. Avoid the police early on until your car is upgraded. Spend money on tyres and engine first; visual parts can wait. And do not be afraid to restart the day if things go badly in early qualifiers. Session time Races take two to five minutes. An hour gives you a good sense of the game, and two hours lets friends progress in online playlists together. Unbound is rated T. It is a good pick for players who like street-racing culture, flashy style and loud music, and want something less demanding than a simulation.