Need for Speed Unbound

64%
Game Brain Score Based on 11,236 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • music
Need for Speed Unbound Game Cover
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.
Starting at $4.89Buy now
Get on Steam Get on Xbox Games Store

Race against time, outsmart the cops, and take on weekly qualifiers to reach The Grand, Lakeshore's ultimate street racing challenge. Pack your garage with precision-tuned, custom rides and light up the streets with your style, exclusive fits, and a vibrant global soundtrack that bumps in every corner of the world.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Cloud
  • Xbox
  • Xbox Game Pass
  • x_box_cloud_gaming
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

64%
Audience ScoreBased on 11,236 reviews
story630 positive mentions
music399 negative mentions
  • story3,067 mentions

    The story in "Need for Speed: Unbound" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it to be a predictable and often cringeworthy experience. While some appreciate the attempt at a more engaging narrative compared to previous titles, others criticize the dialogue and character development as juvenile and lacking depth. The overall consensus suggests that while the story serves its purpose in providing a backdrop for racing, it ultimately falls short of being memorable or compelling, with many players preferring the gameplay and customization aspects over the narrative itself.

    • “The story is surprisingly fun! It kept me engaged and made me want to see what happens next.”
    • “The story is decent for a racing game, with a simple plot that provides enough motivation to keep racing.”
    • “The story mode is much longer than previous titles, providing a good amount of content and engagement.”
    • “A game with many flaws, a story with dialogue written by and for 8 year olds, a terrible post-story singleplayer experience, a soundtrack that I don't necessarily hate but definitely feels very meh with how much lesser variety it brings compared to older Need for Speed titles.”
    • “The story is basic where you try to win your car back.”
    • “The story and the lines of the characters are pure cringe, like a bunch of kindergarteners trying to one-up each other, and the fact that during a race all of them talk silly things like 'you can't beat me' doesn't help it.”
  • graphics1,887 mentions

    The graphics in "Need for Speed Unbound" have garnered mixed reactions, with many praising the vibrant and unique art style that blends realistic environments with cartoonish effects, reminiscent of anime aesthetics. While some players appreciate the stunning visuals and detailed car models, others find the character designs and flashy effects distracting, leading to a divisive reception. Overall, the game is noted for its impressive graphical fidelity, though it suffers from occasional performance issues and graphical glitches.

    • “I find the combination of good graphics and cell shading of characters and effects to be very apt and memorable.”
    • “The graphics look great and immerse you into the game while also taking your breath away.”
    • “The combination of beautiful, realistic-looking graphics and driving effects borrowed straight from an anime movie works surprisingly well in my opinion.”
    • “The graphics in Need for Speed Unbound are far from impressive.”
    • “The visuals appear choppy and lack the refinement seen in other contemporary racing games.”
    • “The graphics somehow look worse than Heat, even though this game is its successor.”
  • music1,739 mentions

    The music in "Need for Speed: Unbound" has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players describing it as the worst soundtrack in the series. Critics highlight a lack of variety, predominantly featuring hip-hop and trap music that feels repetitive and unsuitable for racing, leading many to mute the in-game audio and play their own playlists instead. While some appreciate a few standout tracks, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack fails to capture the energetic spirit of previous titles, leaving players longing for the diverse and iconic music of earlier games.

    • “The carefully curated selection of music enhances the adrenaline-pumping atmosphere, creating a perfect synergy between gameplay and audio that elevates the overall enjoyment.”
    • “The soundtrack, filled with censored rap, is simply not for me.”
    • “The soundtrack is a mixed bag with some very interesting looks into international rap and other adjacent genres.”
    • “The soundtrack is probably the worst soundtrack in any Need for Speed game ever.”
    • “The music is absolutely terrible, the same 15 songs just repeat over and over making me want to drive off a cliff.”
    • “The music is so bad I had to turn it off.”
  • gameplay1,386 mentions

    The gameplay of "Need for Speed: Unbound" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that it retains the arcade racing feel of its predecessor, "Heat," while introducing new mechanics like burst nitrous. However, criticisms focus on the handling and drifting mechanics, which some find frustrating and inconsistent, as well as the repetitive nature of the gameplay loop, heavily influenced by police chases that can detract from the racing experience. Overall, while the game offers engaging visuals and customization options, its gameplay mechanics and structure have left many players feeling underwhelmed.

    • “The gameplay is amazing, the art style is beautiful and captivating.”
    • “The variety of cars at your disposal, each with its own unique handling characteristics, adds a layer of depth that keeps the gameplay fresh and exciting.”
    • “This game offered me a lot of thrilling and immersive racing experience, that includes the anime effects, the diversity of car selection, and engaging gameplay that keeps me hooked every time.”
    • “The gameplay loop is something like this: go out, grind money, bank it, go out again except it's night time now and the only difference between day and night is the presence of takeover events, grind even more money, bank it again, and repeat 5 times.”
    • “The driving mechanics are garbage, even worse than The Crew.”
    • “The gameplay is very repetitive and has some unfortunate mechanics that stifle the game somewhat.”
  • optimization375 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received significant criticism, with many players reporting severe stuttering, frame drops, and crashes, even on high-end systems. While some users have experienced smooth performance, particularly on lower settings, the overall consensus is that the game is poorly optimized, leading to frustrating gameplay issues. Players are advised to wait for patches or sales before purchasing due to these persistent performance problems.

    • “The option for having cars with different handling is a welcome change, as well as using cars of different performance levels.”
    • “I also like how performance upgrades are unlocked through shop upgrades (fits the story well).”
    • “There is a wide variety of cars so you're bound to find one you love, and the customization is fun and engaging when trying to perfectly mod your car's performance.”
    • “The game is fine but optimization sucks.”
    • “This game is still an unoptimized mess.”
    • “Horrible optimization, it keeps crashing every time I play it half an hour in, 2 hours in, it just keeps crashing and then I don't feel like playing it anymore.”
  • grinding347 mentions

    The grinding aspect of "Need for Speed Unbound" has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with players describing it as excessively tedious and frustrating. Many reviews highlight the slow progression system, low monetary rewards from races, and the repetitive nature of events, which often feel like a chore rather than an engaging gameplay experience. Additionally, the separation of single-player and multiplayer progression adds to the grind, making it feel like players must start over in online mode after investing significant time in the campaign.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “The grind to unlock new cars and upgrade them felt unnecessarily tedious, with little sense of accomplishment upon achieving these milestones.”
    • “The sheer amount of grinding you have to do (likely with friends) is not worth the cars you get in the end for online play.”
    • “The game is far more grindy when it comes to the money.”
  • stability181 mentions

    The game's stability is a significant concern, with numerous players reporting frequent crashes, graphical glitches, and gameplay bugs that disrupt the experience. Issues such as freezing, texture problems, and erratic AI behavior are prevalent, particularly after updates, leading many to describe it as a "buggy mess." While some users have noted improvements over time, the overall consensus is that the game remains unstable and frustrating to play, especially for those expecting a polished experience.

    • “Honestly, it's a great game that runs great and has fun mechanics and car customization.”
    • “Runs great, looks great, fun to play.”
    • “It looks and runs great.”
    • “The game suffers from stability issues, with frequent crashes and unexpected glitches disrupting the gameplay.”
    • “I can't enjoy the game anymore since the last update; I have bugs and glitches that make it unplayable. It was one of my favorites until the later updates.”
    • “The glaring issue is the glitches, which only seem to have gotten worse after every major update.”
  • humor129 mentions

    The humor in "Need for Speed: Unbound" is a mixed bag, with some players finding it genuinely funny while others describe it as cringeworthy and forced. Many appreciate the comedic elements in character interactions and police banter, though the dialogue often veers into awkward territory, reflecting a disconnect with modern humor. Overall, while the game has its share of laugh-out-loud moments, it also suffers from repetitive and sometimes annoying jokes that may not resonate with all players.

    • “The cop chatter is hilarious to hear, despite getting repetitive.”
    • “It's like taking your favorite action movie, injecting it with laughing gas, and putting it behind the wheel of a rocket-powered car.”
    • “The characters are a little funny looking but gameplay is ok.”
    • “Not funny, cringe like U2 or Most Wanted, just actually insanely out of touch and corny.”
    • “The jokes feel forced and unfunny.”
    • “Characters dog on each other for no reason and in the most unfunny way possible; you honestly wouldn't even assume they were jokes if it weren't for the characters having to basically laugh track it for you.”
  • monetization55 mentions

    The monetization strategy in this game has drawn significant criticism, with many players labeling it as a cash grab, despite the absence of microtransactions for in-game purchases. While some appreciate the lack of pay-to-win mechanics and the availability of paid DLC, others feel that the game's progression system is heavily influenced by monetization tactics, detracting from the overall experience. Overall, the community expresses a mix of relief over the absence of microtransactions and frustration over the perceived exploitation through advertising and limited in-game rewards.

    • “I feel like we should be grateful that EA still makes NFS games, especially ones with little to no in-app purchases, as NFS is far from their most popular title.”
    • “The game offers no microtransactions, good customization, and good core mechanics, so I can still recommend it.”
    • “Overall, NFS Unbound is a great polished arcade street racer that puts the series in a much better direction, and it's really nice 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.”
    • “This blatant focus on monetization undermines the integrity of the gameplay and alienates players who are looking for a fair and rewarding experience.”
    • “Overall not what it could have been... EA will give up all support within the year, another hopeless cash grab.”
  • atmosphere50 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating the vibrant art style, dynamic weather, and a soundtrack that enhances the racing experience, reminiscent of classic titles like NFS Underground. However, some critics point out issues such as glitches, a lack of immersion, and a less engaging environment compared to previous entries like NFS Heat. Overall, while the game captures elements of street culture and excitement, opinions vary on its execution and consistency.

    • “The carefully curated selection of music enhances the adrenaline-pumping atmosphere, creating a perfect synergy between gameplay and audio that elevates the overall enjoyment.”
    • “The driving effects, the lighting engine, the speedlines around the screen, the character designs, the dialogue, the custom score, and licensed tracks - everything builds up this amazing atmosphere of street and car culture - simply sensational.”
    • “Authentic underground atmosphere: Unbound successfully captures the essence of the underground racing scene.”
    • “The atmosphere is as cartoonish as a mobile game.”
    • “Combine this with poor driving and one of the weakest maps in post-reboot NFS, it's just not an easy sell and that's before you get to the controversial comic-book art style and lack of atmosphere.”
    • “Oddly empty atmosphere, strange mishmash of art styles, underwhelming online mode.”
  • emotional48 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game receives mixed feedback, with some players finding the story heartwarming and reminiscent of classic Need for Speed experiences, while others criticize it for lacking depth and emotional impact. Characters are described as either relatable and wholesome or formulaic and unengaging, leading to a disconnect in player investment. Overall, while there are moments of genuine emotion, many feel the narrative fails to fully immerse players in the game's world.

    • “The storyline feels somewhat formulaic and lacks the emotional impact needed to truly immerse players in the world of illegal street racing.”
    • “I've been playing Need for Speed since 2006 and although I haven't played every release, Unbound made me feel like I was playing an early/mid-aughts NFS game, which is a feeling I thoroughly enjoy experiencing!”
    • “Let it be known that I am a bit emotional - the ending did get me.”
    • “Boring story and characters”
    • “It's nothing special, just another NFS with cheesy voice lines and a boring story...”
    • “Massive dogshit of a career mode... slow and unrewarding progression, boring storyline, and cringe characters.”
  • replayability38 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed, with many players expressing frustration over the lack of engaging single-player content and limited options for replaying the story mode. While some enjoy the multiplayer aspect and find it offers decent replay value, others feel that the game quickly becomes stale after completing the campaign. Frequent updates and a strong online component provide some longevity, but many players desire more replayable features in the single-player experience.

    • “The game also still receives somewhat frequent updates which is a treat; it has decent replay value if you enjoy the multiplayer aspect of the game.”
    • “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.”
    • “Cops are mean as hell; it feels like the game has very good replay value in terms of story, and the car roster is pretty awesome.”
    • “This lack of a compelling narrative and progression undermines the game's longevity and replayability, ultimately rendering it a forgettable experience.”
    • “There is no replayability value, so the single player is a one-time adventure.”
    • “But replayability is nonexistent, and I swiftly got bored after the story was over.”
  • character development22 mentions

    Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it predictable and clichéd, lacking depth and engaging arcs. While some appreciate the character designs and the atmosphere they create, others criticize them as low-quality and unoriginal, detracting from the overall experience. Overall, the character development feels underwhelming, with a disconnect between the visual style and the narrative execution.

    • “There are also turning points, climaxes, and character development throughout.”
    • “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.”
    • “To start off with the presentation, Unbound's environment is set up in fictional Chicago and stylistically takes inspiration from anime like Initial D and Wangan Midnight with its character designs, and Spiderverse with its visual flair and effects.”
    • “The storyline, while engaging, might feel a bit cliché to some players, and the character development is somewhat predictable.”
    • “The game focused on being different whilst ignoring character development and story.”
    • “There are glimpses of genuine good ideas being pushed out in the writing, but the cringe dialogue, the neither likable nor dislikable characters, the worst concept for a villain, as well as the worst paced character development all culminate into a laughable mess of a story.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

77% average critic score

Buy Need for Speed Unbound

Play time

16hMedian play time
41hAverage play time
7-40hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 83 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games