Need for Speed Unbound

Need for Speed Unbound is a great showcase for a new generation of hardware. Criterion has delivered a high quality, breathtakingly fast open-world street racer that is both technically superb and strangely familiar.

68%Game Brain Score

story, graphics

music, optimization

61% User Score Based on 23,514 reviews

Critic Score 77%Based on 7 reviews

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Need for Speed Unbound is a single player and multiplayer racing game. It was developed by Criterion Games and was released on December 1, 2022. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

Buy Need for Speed Unbound on PlayStation Store. Start at the bottom, race to the top in the latest entry in the iconic Need for Speed franchise.

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61%

Audience ScoreBased on 23,514 reviews

story1.1k positive mentions

music749 negative mentions

The vibrant, graffiti-inspired art style and stunning graphics create a fresh and exhilarating atmosphere that enhances the racing experience.
The gameplay features engaging driving mechanics, including a new burst nitrous feature, and offers a balance between arcade fun and realism.
The multiplayer mode adds significant replay value, allowing players to compete with friends and enjoy the game long after completing the main story.

The game suffers from poor optimization, with frequent crashes, stuttering, and performance issues that disrupt gameplay.
The soundtrack has been criticized for being repetitive and lacking the energy and variety of previous titles, leading many players to mute the in-game music.
The story is seen as weak and clichéd, with predictable plot points and minimal character development, making it a secondary aspect of the game.

story
5,557 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
65%
15%
The story in "Need for Speed Unbound" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it weak and clichéd, often describing it as predictable and filled with cringe-worthy dialogue. While some appreciate the attempt at a narrative involving themes of betrayal and redemption, others criticize it for being poorly executed and lacking depth, with characters that feel one-dimensional. Overall, the story is seen as a secondary aspect of the game, with many players preferring to focus on the racing and customization elements instead.
- “The story is surprisingly decent, despite the edgy and corny dialogues, at some point it actually delivers a powerful message from A$AP Rocky which I really didn't expect and appreciated.”
- “The story is straightforward and refreshingly grounded — no 'Fast & Furious' nonsense like in Payback. It's a simple, engaging story about racing, loyalty, and of course, 'getting my tuned car back.'”
- “The story is a classic and relatively cliché, in my opinion. It follows a scheduled month of events on the map, similar to how Juiced was back in the day, and you need to earn enough money within the week to pay the buy-in fee of the qualifier event on that week.”
- “I've completed the story mode in every game, but this one is just awful!”
- “The story is incredibly short, but it takes forever to complete.”
- “The story is generic and predictable, with characters that lack depth and development.”
graphics
3,668 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
51%
5%
The graphics in "Need for Speed Unbound" have garnered mixed reviews, with many players praising the vibrant, graffiti-inspired art style that blends realism with cartoonish effects reminiscent of "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse." While some appreciate the unique aesthetic and detailed car models, others find the flashy visuals overwhelming and distracting, leading to complaints about performance issues and graphical glitches. Overall, the game is noted for its impressive graphics, but opinions vary widely on the effectiveness of its artistic direction.
- “The graphics are stunning and the comic book animation really makes the whole game feel very spontaneous in a way, and I think that's how a NFS game should be.”
- “Need for Speed Unbound brings a fresh visual style to the long-running racing franchise, blending photorealistic graphics with street art-inspired effects.”
- “The graphics are absolutely stunning, with a vibrant art style that really makes the game pop.”
- “The cartoonish graphics are brutal and just get in the way, and the driving style is bad.”
- “The graphics seem like a downgrade from heat and at this point i'll say that the graphics of need for speed (2015) is at par or maybe even slightly better than this game.”
- “The graphics are very well done, but the cartoon graphics are terrible.”
music
3,216 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
60%
23%
The music in "Need for Speed: Unbound" has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment over the heavy reliance on hip-hop and trap genres, which they feel lack the energy and variety of previous titles. While some appreciate the inclusion of diverse international artists, others criticize the soundtrack as repetitive and poorly suited for a racing game, leading many to mute the in-game music and opt for their own playlists. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as one of the weakest aspects of the game, with calls for a return to the more varied and iconic music of earlier entries in the series.
- “The soundtrack injects pure adrenaline — hip-hop, trap, and global underground beats match the tone and energy perfectly.”
- “The music hits so hard you’ll crash just vibing to it.”
- “The soundtrack is a highlight—it’s got a great mix of hip-hop and electronic tracks that match the game's street vibe perfectly.”
- “The soundtrack is absolutely terrible, the same 15 songs just repeat over and over making me want to drive off a cliff, spotify is a must for this game lmao.”
- “The music is the worst part of the game.”
- “The soundtrack is probably the worst one out of any nfs game to date.”
gameplay
2,750 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
57%
13%
The gameplay of "Need for Speed Unbound" has received mixed reviews, with players praising its vibrant graphics and engaging driving mechanics, particularly the new burst nitrous feature that adds depth to racing. However, many criticize the repetitive gameplay loop, frustrating police mechanics, and inconsistent handling, which detracts from the overall experience. While some players find the arcade-style fun and customization options appealing, others feel that the game lacks the polish and excitement of its predecessors, particularly "NFS Heat."
- “The gameplay is smooth, the cars feel great to drive, and the racing experience captures the classic NFS energy.”
- “The driving mechanics strike a nice balance between arcade fun and a bit of realism, offering tight controls and thrilling high-speed chases.”
- “The burst nitrous mechanic adds a completely new gameplay layer and finally both drift and grip builds are viable.”
- “Cops spawn right in front of you when you are almost escaping on heat 5; the car tier system is complete garbage. I can't just upgrade a car to the max because it will surpass the optimal tier and won't be able to compete with other cars. Battle pass system, microtransactions, bad gameplay.”
- “The gameplay starts to feel repetitive after about 10 hours, with the same modes and even the same maps coming up over and over.”
- “The overall mechanics and gameplay are clunky and needlessly grindy.”
optimization
800 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
59%
25%
The optimization of "Need for Speed Unbound" has received overwhelmingly negative feedback from players, with many citing severe performance issues such as stuttering, crashing, and high CPU/GPU usage even on high-end systems. While some users report smooth performance under specific conditions, the general consensus is that the game is poorly optimized, leading to a frustrating experience marred by technical glitches and inconsistent frame rates. Overall, players recommend waiting for significant patches or improvements before investing in the game.
- “I actually like this game a lot, it's optimized, looks and sounds really nice.”
- “The performance is solid, I got 120fps on high 1440p with a 3070ti.”
- “Best Need for Speed to drop since 2015, runs well, optimized, looks great.”
- “I've tried and tried and tried to play this game, even with a 3070 and minimizing my settings, this game is riddled with buffering, stuttering, crashing.”
- “The poor optimization, buggy engine, and patch regressions turn what should be a thrilling experience into a frustrating slog.”
- “This game is still poorly optimized and refuses to go full screen mode, I have tried every fix I could find but still does not work.”
grinding
660 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
92%
The grinding aspect of "Need for Speed Unbound" has received overwhelmingly negative feedback from players, who describe it as tedious, repetitive, and frustrating. Many reviewers express dissatisfaction with the slow progression and low rewards for races, leading to a feeling of obligation rather than enjoyment. The separation of single-player and multiplayer progression further exacerbates the grind, as players must start over in online mode, compounding the sense of monotony and making the overall experience feel like a chore.
- “Progression is meaningful, not grindy.”
- “In the campaign, every race you finish rewards you with pennies, while being at risk of losing it all because you can't afford car upgrades. Unlike the previous titles, I am not grinding this game.”
- “It can feel a bit grindy sometimes.”
- “The grinding is tedious, and I'm not seeing any decent rewards for my effort.”
- “At that point, what's the point of even playing for hours or even days to level up a car when you can just bust out your credit card and give the greedy clowns at EA $15 out of your piggy bank to instantly win? I spent around a month grinding for the Bugatti Chiron, but guess what? Someone spent $15, so they win!”
- “The game is unbelievably grindy.”
stability
333 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
94%
The game's stability is a significant concern among players, with numerous reports of frequent crashes, freezes, and various graphical glitches that disrupt gameplay. Many users have experienced issues specifically related to the EA launcher, which complicates the launch process and adds to the frustration. While some players find the game enjoyable when it runs smoothly, the overwhelming consensus is that it remains a buggy and unfinished product, requiring extensive troubleshooting to even start playing.
- “Criterion definitely worked their magic with Frostbite as the physics aren't as buggy as they were in the previous NFS titles.”
- “It runs great, solid 70 fps with an RTX 2060, Ryzen 5 5500, and 32GB of RAM.”
- “Surprising how this game came out of the blue without years of teasing and delays and came out polished and not buggy.”
- “The game suffers from stability issues, with frequent crashes and unexpected glitches disrupting the gameplay.”
- “Even after all the updates, there are still so many bugs, glitches, and straight-up issues that myself and other unfortunate players are still experiencing.”
- “This game is a terrible buggy mess; if I can even get it to launch properly.”
humor
225 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
95%
5%
The humor in "Need for Speed: Unbound" is a mixed bag, with many players finding it to be a blend of cringe-worthy and occasionally funny moments. While some appreciate the self-aware, campy dialogue and humorous character interactions, others criticize it for being overly forced and reminiscent of outdated sitcom humor. Overall, the game's attempts at humor often miss the mark, leading to a frustrating experience for some, though it can elicit genuine laughs in certain contexts.
- “It's actually hilarious how your character is supposed to be an underdog who starts with nothing in a run-down garage, and meanwhile you've got your pick of limited edition supercars that go from zero to mach-5 faster than you can say 'I love the EA launcher!'”
- “The police effectively tell each other over comms to 'Avengers assemble his ass' when they spot you, so that's pretty great in my opinion, lol.”
- “You’ll find yourself rooting for the underdog, and the character banter adds a nice touch of humor and humanity to the high-octane action.”
- “This is not funny, none of it. I may have had some rare bouts of chuckles, and I mean rare.”
- “The cutscenes, the mid-race voicelines, and the radio chatter just have the most unfunny millennial humor ever written.”
- “The jokes feel forced and unfunny.”
monetization
108 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
42%
54%
The monetization strategy in the game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with players feeling pressured to engage in microtransactions due to a scarcity of in-game currency and a grindy progression system. Many reviews highlight the presence of expensive DLCs, battle passes, and intrusive ads, which detract from the overall experience and evoke frustration among fans of the franchise. Overall, the game's monetization practices are seen as exploitative, undermining the enjoyment and value of the title.
- “Despite microtransactions, NFS Unbound does better in terms of proper new content.”
- “Overall, NFS Unbound is a great polished arcade street racer that puts the series in a much better direction and it's really nice as well to see no microtransactions in the game whatsoever for now.”
- “The in-game currency was scarce, pushing players towards microtransactions, which, in my opinion, detracts from the enjoyment of the game.”
- “The game is riddled with microtransactions.”
- “Overall just feels like a cash grab.”
emotional
106 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
78%
22%
The emotional aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the grounded character interactions and wholesome moments, while others criticize the narrative as lackluster and filled with cringe-worthy dialogue. Many feel that the story fails to create a meaningful emotional connection, often describing it as boring or formulaic, despite occasional moments of charm. Overall, while some players find emotional resonance in the themes of rivalry and self-expression, others feel detached and uninvested in the characters and plot.
- “Need for Speed Unbound isn’t just a racing game; it’s an emotional rush of adrenaline, color, and rebellion.”
- “What makes Unbound emotionally gripping is how it explores self-expression and defiance.”
- “The game’s emotional payoff isn’t just about crossing the finish line first; it’s about understanding that in the end, it’s not just the car you drive that defines you, but the spirit you race with.”
- “Horrible music, woke and boring storyline that is hard to relate to.”
- “Everything else from the way they designed the car grading, to the terrible voice acting, boring storyline, and campaign mode just gives the player an awful experience.”
- “Most boring story missions ever in NFS history.”
atmosphere
105 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
62%
3%
The atmosphere in the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising its vibrant, stylized world and dynamic soundtracks that enhance the racing experience, while others criticize the cartoonish art style and lack of grit compared to previous titles. Many reviewers appreciate the lively city environment and adrenaline-fueled gameplay, but some feel it falls short of the immersive atmosphere found in earlier installments like "Most Wanted" and "Heat." Overall, the game's atmosphere is seen as both a highlight and a point of contention, depending on personal taste and expectations.
- “The city has a cool atmosphere too: it’s gritty but colorful, and feels alive in a slightly stylized way.”
- “The atmosphere in this game feels very lively because there are some pedestrians that wander around the city; this is what makes the game different from its predecessor.”
- “The combination of stunning visuals with its bold, graffiti-like art style and high-octane street racing creates an atmosphere that's both fresh and exhilarating.”
- “Although the graphics are good, the atmosphere is disappointing.”
- “Instead of focusing on the cars, the atmosphere, and the realistic feel of driving, they went for this weird cartoony style that just doesn’t fit NFS at all.”
- “Compare that to Most Wanted (2005), where the sun-drenched highways, rain-soaked streets, and dynamic world oozed atmosphere nearly two decades ago; this trash game doesn’t even come close.”
replayability
76 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
61%
14%
The replayability of the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising its addictive campaign and multiplayer modes that enhance longevity, while others criticize repetitive mission structures and limited single-player options that diminish replay value. Customization and mod support can add to the experience, but many feel that the lack of compelling narrative and engaging gameplay mechanics ultimately leads to a lack of long-term engagement. Overall, while some aspects offer high replayability, significant portions of the game may leave players feeling bored after completing the main story.
- “With stunning style, tight controls, adrenaline-driven racing, deep car culture, and a massively replayable campaign, Unbound proves that NFS still belongs among the kings of street racing games.”
- “The multiplayer mode also adds significant replay value, allowing players to compete with friends and others online, which keeps the excitement going long after the main story is complete.”
- “This game is quite fun and always has something to make you want to play again, definitely a ton of replay value especially with friends in the online component of the game.”
- “Given the restricted single player replayability and dead online scene, I cannot recommend this game.”
- “While the campaign offers a decent length, the game’s replayability is somewhat hampered by repetitive mission structures and limited multiplayer options.”
- “But replayability is nonexistent and I swiftly got bored after the story was over.”
character development
48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
58%
23%
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment in the character design, which they feel clashes with the game's realistic visuals. While some appreciate the unique, stylized character designs and effects, others find them distracting and lacking depth, leading to a forgettable cast and a clichéd storyline. Overall, the consensus suggests that character development is minimal, with many players wishing for a more cohesive and engaging narrative experience.
- “The character designs are unique and well-crafted, adding to the game's overall charm.”
- “The driving effects, the lighting engine, the speedlines around the screen, the character designs (the models can be eh at times but they grow on you), the dialogue, the custom score and licensed tracks - everything builds up this amazing atmosphere of street and car culture - simply sensational.”
- “Everything about the game is amazing, the graphics, the character design, the characters themselves!”
- “There is almost no character development in this game.”
- “The story is full of cringe-worthy dialogues and clichés, and there is no character development or emotional impact.”
- “The character designs are awful; people are saying they're like Fortnite, which I don't agree with 100%, because Fortnite at least had gradient character lighting, instead of this flat and lifeless kind that just wants to imitate simple drawings.”

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77%Critics’ scoreBased on 7 critic reviews

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14h Median play time

46h Average play time

7-50h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 166 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Need for Speed Unbound is a racing game.

Need for Speed Unbound is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and others.

On average players spend around 46 hours playing Need for Speed Unbound.

Need for Speed Unbound was released on December 1, 2022.

Need for Speed Unbound was developed by Criterion Games.

Need for Speed Unbound has received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its music.

Need for Speed Unbound is a single player game with multiplayer support.

Similar games include Need for Speed Payback, Need for Speed, The Crew Motorfest, Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered, Project CARS 3 and others.

Need for Speed Unbound

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