Following Need for Speed Unbound‘s recent post-release support, Volume 5 continues Electronic Arts and Criterion Games‘ trend of adding a new car into the game for free. There’s a fresh, boxy, BMW, more challenges and optional premium DLC.
New content
This time, it’s the current, second-generation (G87), BMW M2. A fresh model from this year, it’s longer and wider than the previous version and uses a 453bhp twin-turbo 3.0-litre straight-six engine. The white model is the main image for this article, which also includes M Performance appendages.
To unlock the M2 for purchase in both single-player and Lakeshore Online, you must complete a new challenge which involves completing 25 near misses while driving any BMW with cops in pursuit. Further new challenges will be added, too.
Elsewhere, the Speed Pass returns. Driving unlocks experience points, experience points unlock levels and levels unlock cosmetic trinkets. But also, at level 50 (of 75), a customised version of the existing Buick Grand National GNX.
We happen to think that the online linkups – part of the map is temporarily cordoned off for cooperative challenges – are the best feature added to Unbound since its launch. They return for Vol.5 with all of the linkups available in Vol.3 and Vol.4 combined, but no new locations.
Unlike previous updates which added new game modes, such as the aforementioned linkups introduced in Vol.3, Gauntlet events in Vol.4 and free-roam online cops in Vol.2, Vol.5 doesn’t appear to add anything further.
In-game store items
As it’s Halloween at the end of this month, there’s a Trick or Street Swag Pack available for $14.99 from Unbound’s store. The set includes a spookily redesigned version of the Mini John Cooper Works Countryman plus an associated character clothing pack, skeleton head mask, driving effect and car horn.
Sitting alongside it in the virtual shop will be a $9.99 modified Volkswagen Beetle (which also boosts you forward 10 Speed Pass levels) and Vol.5 Customs Pack for $5.99 with three visual upgrades for the Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport (2017), BMW i8 Coupé (2018) and Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupe (2018).
For those who subscribe to EA Play, you will also receive the ‘Epic Custom’ Mercury Cougar.
New free content and challenges are very welcome, and we expect there to be a full changelog once the update hits PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. However, it does beg the question, as it looks like there will be no significant quality-of-life changes, new features or online playlists this time around, what does the future hold for Unbound?
With game update cadence at the once-every-two-month mark plus the anniversary of its release mid-way through Vol.5, it remains to be seen if there will ever be a Vol.6. Setting that aside, this latest update will be available on 12th October 2023.
Need for Speed Unbound Vol.5 release date
Need for Speed Unbound Volume 5 (Vol.5) will be released 12th October 2023.
