Need For Speed Unbound - December 2, 2022

[Slava 4,192]

Need For Speed Unbound

 

 

Gameplay trailer

 

Developer: Criterion Games

Publisher: EA 

Release Date: December 2, 2022 

Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC

 

- Includes offline single player campaign and cross-play

- "Completely new campaign structure” featuring buy-ins

- "Immersive narrative" with full characters and small story arcs

- Runs at 4K 60 on Frostbite Engine, features a new physics system 

- A$AP Rocky is a big part of the game, has his own game mode

- The art style blends elements of street art with realistic cars

- Hundreds of cosmetic items and car customisation options including "Driving Effects"

- Post-launch free content updates are promised 

- Car list

 

Originally reported by Tom Henderson via Insider Gaming.

 

Unbound is going to be the first NFS game developed by Criterion since 2012, as it was revealed in 2020. The last 4 games have been made by Ghost Games (EA Gothenburg). Also worth mentioning, it's the first NFS game after Codemasters acquisition.

Edited October 19, 2022 by Slava
Added gameplay trailer

[LastMinuteSavior 2,990]

Been waiting for EA to give another shot at a game like NfS Pro Street or - even better - for Codemasters to return to their glory days of TOCA games, but looks like I'm outta luck.

 

It's just GTA5-style multiplayer, bland and unchallenging gameplay and flashy art design from this point onwards.

But I imagine there's a loyal playerbase for this stuff.

 

I've always enjoyed a good arcade or simcade racer, but it has become hard to play this games for more than an afternoon. They just end up on my "unfinished" pile.

 

Still, thanks for the info @Slava

 

[Apocasy 217]

EA tweeted this yesterday. They’re teasing us. 👀

[Slava 4,192]

@LastMinuteSavior I haven't played NFS since Shift 2 and Codemasters games since Dirt 2 😅. But I like to keep up with what's happening to these series. Seems like people haven't been very excited about an NFS game in more than a decade.

 

@Apocasy Yeah, their Twitter is showing signs of life again, was just going to post this.

[Apocasy 217]

See you all in 2 days.

[Honor_Hand 13,255]

Quote

Need for Speed Unbound has been a hot topic of discussion following leaks of the game showing that the title will incorporate anime elements within the title. Fire, smoke, flames, etc. will all appear from the car as you drift, jump, and crash.

 

This is interesting, but I'm pretty sure it'll only be for the title. Now, how cool would it be to see a car racing game in anime style a la Auto Modellista?

As for Unbound itself, cool. Nice to see a new entry in the series. They have been spacing out new entries into the franchise quite well so I hope they're taking advantage of all this extra time to produce a great game. It's good seeing both Criterion and Codemasters directing this project. Pretty talented teams when it comes to racing games.

 

No love for the old-gen consoles, though. Sad.

Edited October 5, 2022 by Honor_Hand

[HansPatat050 405]

Cool, i will follow the release of this game. 

[Viper 3,234]

NFS used to be one of my favorite series, but I honestly think it's been missing something since Carbon. While I still have Payback and Heat to play right now, my lack of enthusiasm to jump into them has a lot to do with just not feeling it anymore. And while Criterion are a talented team (I still want a Burnout Paradise 2), their NFS games have to be some of my least favorite in the franchise...their games felt like something else entirely, not at all like NFS. I really didn't like Hot Pursuit, and Most Wanted was a joke compared to the 2005 masterpiece...didn't even touch Rivals. So hearing that they're back at it with this new one doesn't get me excited at all. I'm not going to completely write it off, a lot can change in developmental ideas in this time frame, but I'm cautious about this one. 

[Apocasy 217]

Launches December 2, 2022.

[KenobiEagle 83]

21 hours ago, Viper said:

NFS used to be one of my favorite series, but I honestly think it's been missing something since Carbon. While I still have Payback and Heat to play right now, my lack of enthusiasm to jump into them has a lot to do with just not feeling it anymore. And while Criterion are a talented team (I still want a Burnout Paradise 2), their NFS games have to be some of my least favorite in the franchise...their games felt like something else entirely, not at all like NFS. I really didn't like Hot Pursuit, and Most Wanted was a joke compared to the 2005 masterpiece...didn't even touch Rivals. So hearing that they're back at it with this new one doesn't get me excited at all. I'm not going to completely write it off, a lot can change in developmental ideas in this time frame, but I'm cautious about this one. 

I happen to be the exact opposite. The 2010 Hot Pursuit game was what got me into NFS, and the 2012 Most Wanted game was an equally fun time for me. Rivals was much less so, though.... and those are the only three I've played to date. 

Having now watched the trailer, I'm very..... "meh, okay whatever" about this one. I had more hype for Heat, honestly, before that too faded away before I could pick it up. Just my opinion, though.

[ZedsDeadStevo 352]

Just seen the reveal trailer and unsure on the new art style. I really enjoyed Heat and I hope Unbound is fun

[HansPatat050 405]

Very interesting trailer, looks like a strong NFS Heat vibe mixed with artwork anime style. 

 

The part at 00:26 and 01:15 look like actual gameplay.

Edited October 6, 2022 by HansPatat050

[ResiGamer_28 597]

https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2022/10/need-for-speed-unbound-is-unlike-any-arcade-racer-youve-seen-before looks epic 

27 minutes ago, KenobiEagle said:

I happen to be the exact opposite. The 2010 Hot Pursuit game was what got me into NFS, and the 2012 Most Wanted game was an equally fun time for me. Rivals was much less so, though.... and those are the only three I've played to date. 

Having now watched the trailer, I'm very..... "meh, okay whatever" about this one. I had more hype for Heat, honestly, before that too faded away before I could pick it up. Just my opinion, though.

Undercover was a great game. Had it on 360 didn't realise servers were closing so its permanently stuck on

On 955gs now. Would love a sequel to that 

[LastMinuteSavior 2,990]

First I was like "where are these guys seeing the anime elements? All I see is doodles and cel shaded 3D characters from the early 2000's".

 

 

But then I remembered even japanese animation has been taken over by this type of cheap CG.

 

Cutscenes I don't like. But if the scribbles make it into the actual gameplay it might be a cool visual enhancement - if they don't overuse it.

 

Gameplay, gotta see gameplay.

 

 

Edited October 6, 2022 by LastMinuteSavior

[XchocomanX 1,242]

13 minutes ago, LastMinuteSavior said:

Gameplay, gotta see gameplay.

 

 

THIS

 

Also, and because this is EA: Monetization plans

[mega-tallica 768]

This game just screams 'meh', kinda just like how every other NFS game has been for the past decade. And what is the point of releasing a trailer for a racing game and not include any gameplay? 

 

I'd rather Criterion make a new Burnout game than NFS. Codemasters being involved doesn't do anything to improve expectations either. They've been on a downward trend just like NFS has been even before the EA purchase. Keeping my expectations low and best case scenario I end up pleasantly surprised. Kinda like how I was with Heat which I thought was easily the best NFS game of the past decade but that's not really saying much. Ghost Games finally figured out how to make a good NFS game and then they switch to a new developer immediately after. Just one more brilliant management decision by EA. 

[diskdocx 2,995]

Looks so edgy and rad. Wait, do the cool kids say rad anymore? I'm sure the game will tell me.

 

I'll be awaiting word as to whether or not Vin Diesel will be making an appearance.

 

Otherwise, I'll just wait for it to come to PS Plus next year.

[Honor_Hand 13,255]

Whoa, talk about a bold move here. I wasn't really expecting them to use go with a semi-anime art style for this game. It's definitely unique but it also looks kinda...odd. Not sure. It's not exactly the anime aesthetics I would associate with a racing game. That being said, it does look kinda promising. The team behind is talented with their racing games, so gameplay-wise, it'll most likely deliver.

 

It would have been nice to see some gameplay, though, especially if the game is launching in two months.

[based_gigachad 433]

I'm very unsure about this, feel the trailer showed very little tbh. Also quite apprehensive about the art style and not sure why there's a big focus on whatsapp ricky in an arcade racing game.

 

of course as a loyal nfs fan it means i complain about most games in the series but ultimately play and enjoy most of them....

[Fr_0zt 2,553]

I actually like the looks of it BUT we need actual gameplay and to see how we'll get shafted by mtx. 😩

[Slava 4,192]

I'm not really feeling this new look, the style of the characters especially. It feels like they took some inspiration from Spider-Verse, but couldn't match the quality.

 

IGN posted a big article about the game with new information. Added some bullet points from the article and the official site.

[Viper 3,234]

I don't mind if this art style is part of cutscenes...but I really hope that's not the case with the general gameplay. If so, I would expect this from some kind of indie racer trying to make it's name in the genre by doing something quirky, but I don't want that from NFS. Trailer is whatever, didn't do much of anything for me...not more or less interested than I was before. 

Edited October 6, 2022 by Viper

[pavelbagirov 359]

Sadly no PS4/One

[GUDGER666 3,156]

I don't see why that's current Gen only, looks like a mobile game. No buy then. 

[ResiGamer_28 597]

7 minutes ago, pavelbagirov said:

Sadly no PS4/One

Good its about time games moved forward not held back for those who won't buy ps5s.