Electronic Arts has announced that Need for Speed: Unbound is on the way, which should be good news for any gamers who have been craving a new street racing experience. The game is eye-catching, as it features graffiti visuals and slick cars. However, the visuals shouldn’t take priority over Need for Speed: Unbound's gameplay.
Fortunately, it seems that Criterion Games does have something enthralling in store for players in terms of gameplay. There will be a new co-op mode called Takeover Scene, and the game will feature over 140 cars. With the right elements, Unbound could be a triumphant return for the series.
The Stylish World of Need for Speed: Unbound
EA recently released a reveal trailer for Unbound as the next entry in the Need for Speed series. Although the series has endured for over a decade, it has had its ups and downs, and the arcade racing genre has fallen in and out of favor with gamers. With the upcoming game, Need for Speed could make a big comeback and prove why the franchise became a cornerstone of racing video games.
The game embraces a street racing aesthetic, which wouldn’t be the first time the series has done so. Long-time fans will remember titles like NFS: Underground and its sequel that blew gamers away with its urban drag racing and vast customization options. Unbound brings a unique twist to things with its visuals. As the trailer revealed, gamers can expect Unbound to feature anime-like graphics to enhance scenes, and what has been shown thus far looks pretty exciting.
The game is also bringing rapper ASAP Rocky on board, along with his creative collective AWGE. On top of the game featuring his music, the rapper himself will be in the game. The cool visuals, along with the focus on flashy cars, trendy clothes, and trailblazing music, may be the key to the Need for Speed series resonating with new gamers. However, gameplay shouldn’t take a backseat to the aesthetic that is being shown off.
Criterion Games Shouldn’t Forget About Gameplay
Although gamers flocked to Need for Speed games like Underground due to their ability to capture the spirit of the street racing scene at the time, the games became legendary thanks to their addictive gameplay. The games are far from realistic when it comes to how the cars handle, but they provide a fun experience with how they slide around corners and go supersonic when players use NOS.
Over the years, the franchise has added several fun game modes. Most Wanted, released in 2005, is remembered for its intense cop chases which had gamers winding through Rockport as they tried to evade the law. Its successor, NFS: Carbon, introduced canyon races which had players racing down narrow tracks on the sides of mountains.
NFS: Unbound looks pretty, but to make it an iconic title, it needs gameplay to match. Gamers haven’t seen any gameplay from the upcoming game, which is concerning, considering it releases in December. However, it has been revealed that cops will be present and that there will be a new game mode called Takeover Scene. This is a co-op mode that has players working together to conquer parts of Lakeshore.
Unbound will be released on current-generation consoles, which suggests that developers have big plans for the upcoming game. Luckily, fans will get a Need for Speed: Unbound gameplay trailer soon that'll help them judge its true quality. If it is anything as good as the visuals, an amazing racing game is on the way.
Need for Speed: Unbound is scheduled to release on December 2, 2022 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
