The Paw Print

By Cameron Smith

Promotional artwork featuring a modified 1988 Mercedes-Benz 190E

Need for Speed: Unbound is an open-world racing game developed by Criterion Games and published by Electronic Arts. Unbound is the twenty-fifth installment of EA’s Need for Speed racing game franchise, and the first game to be solely made by Criterion since 2012’s Most Wanted. Released for the Xbox Series, PlayStation 5, and Steam platforms on December 2, 2022, take another octane-fueled joyride through the city of Lakeshore as you get rich, get risky, and get speedy!

Gameplay: A+

Gameplay screenshot of a 2017 Ford GT drifting through a turn, showing off its unique Driving Effects.

In Need for Speed: Unbound, explore the city of Lakeshore to earn money. The more money you earn, the more cars you can buy and trick out to an awesome degree! From a variety of vehicle brands, from Ford to Pagani and BMW to Porsche, decide and discover your driving style. Do you drift through curves, or do you tend to hold the line when turning? Find out as you drive and boost your way into one of the biggest events in Lakeshore’s underground street racing scene—the Grand! Upgrade and tune your cars to ensure victory against drivers of different ethnicities and personalities, and even make your car stand out with some graffiti-style Driving Effects, which can be unlocked by completing challenges and finding collectibles!

A player’s current Heat Level is shown here. It’s not bad now, but with every event you finish, it will rise from Level 0 to Level 5, and the police send out tougher and tougher units to try and bust you.

However, as you race through the day and night, the cops will be on the hunt for you! As your Heat Level rises, the police units will send out tougher cars and apply more force to stop you in your tracks. Learn the capabilities of each unit and find their weaknesses to escape a potential pursuit. Be mindful of your Heat Level during the day, as it will stay as you transition to night.

Reception: A

Rapper ASAP Rocky makes a cameo in this game. You will often see him attending the Takeover events and even participating in races.

Need for Speed: Unbound received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics. The console version received higher praise than the PC version, which earned a 77/100 for both console platforms by Metacritic, including a 7/10 by IGN, an 8.5/10 by Game Informer, a recommendation from Eurogamer, and three-and-a-half stars by Digital Trends. The game was praised for its gameplay elements, while some criticism leaned toward its repetitive races and online play. There was a comment by Game Informer about this title: “Need for Speed Unbound feels like a foundational entry for where the series could go from here. Competing across the title’s many events is a blast, and I love the juxtaposed visual aesthetics. Though some elements left me wanting, Unbound is as much fun as I’ve had with a Need for Speed title in years.” Here is another comment from Eurogamer: “There are nips and tucks that could be made in a handful of places that could make this truly sing, and make it not just a great Need for Speed game but a great open-world racer full stop. As it stands Unbound falls just short of that, but given how it delivers a Need for Speed experience that’s miles ahead of anything the franchise has offered in over a decade I’m not complaining. Here’s hoping EA’s bizarre handling of this fantastic game doesn’t dent its chances, and that Criterion gets to build upon its brilliant work for a sequel. Because then we really could have a Forza Horizon beater on our hands.”

Want to learn more? View more info about the game and much more on the official EA website!

Get a taste of the action from Gamespot’s official sneak peek of the gameplay.

ESRB Rating:

Rated T for Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, and Mild Violence.