After a spate of leaks and continued bullishness from publisher Electronic Arts about a 2022 release on earnings calls, Need for Speed Unbound has finally broken cover.
With a fresh graffiti-inspired art style, the series will remain within its urban roots, this time within the open fictional city of Lakeshore.
Car modification looks to remain as Need for Speed’s raison d’être, with ginormous fender flares, splitters and wings all available, alongside window stickers. Branded apparel will also make an appearance alongside customisable ‘driving effects’ and character poses.
If that all sounds like an amalgamation of Rocket League and F1 22’s customisation options, you’d be correct.
From a driving mechanic aspect, it’s hard to tell at this early stage how it will play out. Apart from brief snippets, the media images and reveal trailer are game engine footage as opposed to pure gameplay.
Hip hop star A$AP Rocky is the lead figurehead this time around, even featuring his modified Mercedes-Benz 190e 2.5 16 Evo which exists in the real-world. Alongside the rapper, the game’s soundtrack is said to represent global tastes – we’d expect nothing less, EA.
On a technical level, Unbound will not be released on PlayStation 4 or Xbox One. It will, however, come to PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. It is said to run at 60fps minimum at 4K resolution, with online multiplayer for races and Meetups between two and 16 players.
The police will monitor your ‘heat level’, as your notoriety increases over time, and the boost system is said to be revised, now entitled Burst Nitrous. Both of these could alter your hands-on experience, but time will tell.
Not much time, however, as Need for Speed Unbound will release on 2nd December 2022. As ever, there’s three-day early access (from the 29th November) for digital pre-orders and a Palace Edition will add a suite of cosmetic trinkets.
Let us know in the comments below if you’re looking forward to a new Need for Speed. Don’t forget, we’ve also analysed every car in the reveal trailer and compiled all the vital information you need to know.
