Need for Speed Unbound is a flashy game, featuring celebrities, designer clothing, and luxury. However, Unbound doesn't value over substance, and racing fans can expect a genuinely challenging experience. As racers slide sideways around corners, they'll be energized by blaring music that seems perfectly curated for the action. While the soundtrack is great, it would be phenomenal if gamers could craft a custom radio where their own music could be played.
Having a custom radio on consoles isn't an impossible feat, as there have been games in the past that have done this. Nevertheless, Need for Speed Unbound's music is great enough already, so gamers won't ever feel like the tracklist is putting them to sleep. It also features music from A$AP Rocky, who is a character in the game.
Need for Speed Unbound's Music
Need for Speed Unbound is a game about fast cars, drifting around corners, and evading the pesky police. It is also a title that places great emphasis on style and the hip culture surrounding street racing. Players can deck themselves out in designer clothing and customize their cars to look as trendy as possible. This has been made possible by Criterion Games' collaboration with several brands, including Balencia, Puma, Versace, and Vans, to name a few.
The aesthetic of the game is accentuated by its stellar soundtrack. Players can enjoy adrenaline-pumping music from around the world, and the tracklist features popular artists like Diplo, Playboi Carti, and a new song from A$AP Rocky. Few gamers will find an issue with the eclectic choice of music, as there is something to please everyone. However, there is a feature that console players miss out on that could have made the music in the game even better.
Need for Speed Unbound Can't Have Custom Radios
In a move that will be upsetting to some, console players are stuck with the curated tracklist that has been crafted, which isn't the worst position to be in, thanks to the great music. Nevertheless, the ability for players to add their own music would have been greatly appreciated. It would also have allowed the racing experience to feel more personal, which is important in a game that lets players craft their own character and encourages players to self-insert. Things aren't so rigid with PC players who have access to mods that can easily work around such limitations. There is also a semi-efficient workaround for console gamers, as they can turn down in-game music and put on Spotify in the background. However, it continues playing even when players aren't racing, which breaks immersion.
Surprisingly, there have been cases where console gamers have been able to craft their own custom radios. This was the case with early Grand Theft Auto games which allowed gamers to play their own music on a custom radio station on PC and Xbox consoles. The ability for players to let gamers play their own music as they wreak havoc on the streets of Lakeshore City would take Unbound from a great game one of the most addictive racing games around.
For gamers looking for a classic arcade street racing experience, Unbound scratches the itch pretty well. It also avoids monotony by featuring various racing modes, including Takeover where racers are judged on their style in addition to their speed. Unfortunately, whether it is a conscious developer choice or the product of modern console limitations, it appears that the gamers of today will not be enjoying this amazing feature.
Need for Speed Unbound is available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
