Need for Speed Unbound for Xbox Series X|S

Next-gen urban racing game

Need for Speed™ Unbound is a premium racing game from Criterion Games. As the continuation of the long-running Need For Speed™ franchise, expect the same fast-paced action and the realistic depiction of customizable vehicles. In this entry, you are tasked with attempting to work your way to ultimately join and win The Grand, the top-tier racing challenge in the fictional area of Lakeshore.

In Need for Speed™ Unbound, the first thing to notice is the next generation of graphics and animation, with 4K graphics and cross-platform support. Other titles in the series include NFS: Most Wanted Remake and Need for Speed™ Payback.

A more street feel

As the next-gen title, Need for Speed™ Unbound lets you play in stunning 4K high-definition video quality, with frame rates of 60 FPS across all supported platforms. Aside from the visual improvement, you can also play with your buddies on different consoles thanks to its crossplay feature. Additionally, it has full technical support for top-of-the-line setups, with HDR10 and VRR support for an even greater experience.

In terms of content, get ready for a more urban-focused premise. Aside from the races and the vehicles, the game offers a great focus on the aesthetic. The art style is heavily influenced by street art like graffiti and the soundtrack is more diverse — featuring tracks by A$AP Rocky and AWGE. As you drive, you can see these materials on the street or listen to them right inside your car.

The premise, however, could feel a bit more restrictive compared to earlier entries. Its main storyline takes place over the course of only four weeks, with a single mission to guide most of your efforts. Also, all its features come at a higher cost. The game is designed for mid- to high-range systems. Playing at the minimum requirements won’t guarantee the top-tier experience this game is capable of.

Additional updates for Volume 5

Following the major Volume 5 update, Need for Speed Unbound has released the auxiliary patch 5.1.0, bringing many new features to enhance the gaming experience. The ‘Original’ driving effect tag is a significant addition, designed to give a realistic feel to tire smoke. This feature, born out of popular demand, offers authenticity, although it does mean a trade-off. It doesn’t provide visual feedback for perfect starts or signature boost earning, unlike other tags.

Besides that, the patch also includes an enhanced sorting feature on the ‘All My Rides’ screen, aimed to help those with large car collections. This minor improvement allows players to organize their collections more efficiently. Finally, Open Playlists have been introduced to Freedrive. These are not from other players but are invites sent out by the server in the downtime between other Freedrive events such as linkups and boosted events.

Next-gen experience for next-gen setups

If you’re looking to take your racing experience to the next level, Need for Speed™ Unbound is the perfect entry to start with. Its street feel, exemplified by urban music and graffiti, is delivered in stunning visual quality. However, its technical improvements come with more demanding system requirements. With a more focused premise and an all-new set of in-game content, this is a welcome return for the franchise.