Well, here it is! EA has officially revealed 2022's 'Need For Speed' title, and it's launching this year! Need For Speed Unbound is a current-gen-only racer from Criterion, and it hits Xbox Series X|S on December 2nd.
The game's first trailer confirms what leaked just yesterday; Unbound is going in a very different direction for Need for Speed, at least visually. We can't quite make out what's gameplay and what's cutscene here, but Criterion is adding all the cell-shaded lines it possibly can to its arcadey street racer.
The looks certainly make it stand out from the pack, and to be honest, we're sorta here for it! The changes give Unbound an 'animated' look, and it could well prove to be the change in direction the series needs after a few underwhelming entries in recent years. We've not got long to wait to try it out, anyway!
Here's some extra info on Need for Speed Unbound, along with some official screenshots:
"Race against the clock, outsmart the cops and qualify each week for the Lakeshore’s ultimate street racing challenge, the Grand. Fill your garage with precision-tuned custom machines, dress in your own unique style and exclusive attire and light up the streets with a soundtrack that echoes from every corner of the world."
- The World is Your Canvas – Bring graffiti to life with a completely new visual style, combining the latest street art with the most realistic cars ever seen in Need for Speed. Access a new toolkit full of energetic visual and sound effects, including Burst Nitrous, a new boosting element for dizzying speed.
- Express Yourself to the Full Extent of Your Abilities – Go to meet-ups and show off your style with a host of items from the world’s latest fashions, including exclusive gear. Then take your machine’s style to the next level and transform it with unique wraps and cut-outs to match your legendary custom machine, take the lead in races and strike your own winning pose to stand out from the crowd.
- Find Freedom as it Flows – A soundtrack featuring some of the pioneering artists of the modern hip-hop scene, including A$AP Rocky and AWGE, delivers an original, genre-defying selection of songs. The original music was created by French producer Brodinsky. The songs, which lean on various hip-hop expressions from around the world, embody the underground culture itself, which is the heart of Lakeshore.
What do you think to the look of NFS Unbound? Happy with it? Drop your comments down below.
Comments 17
I like it!
An anime version of Underground seems like a win 😁
Gotta admit I do like the art style for this, It reminds of the game Auto Modellista on PS2.
Good to know it's a current gen only game as well.
Looks pretty damn cool, over-laying cel shaded effects on to realistic graphics. One to keep an eye on and hopefully pick up
I was hyped about the return of Criterion to the franchise but this anime hideous style aint it, hard pass
The art style was never the problem. The problem was that it was always the same old Street racer cringe that we've been playing for 20 years. And that doesn't look like it's changed.
This looks awesome, and that's coming from someone who doesn't like racing games and doesn't have an interest in cars much. The only racing game that I liked and actually played regularly was Need For Speed Most Wanted on the 360, so this looks like it'll be up my alley.
Art style seems divisive. Not sure I like it, but at least it's different and feels fresh.
"Express Yourself to the Full Extent of Your Abilities – Go to meet-ups and show off your style with a host of items from the world’s latest fashions, including exclusive gear. "
WTF does this have to do with racing?! I love the visuals, but it's the same damn Urban Street racer/homies/hip-hop infused crap that's never appealed to me.
Cel shading usually ages well, so I'm mostly okay with the look. I only own one NFS so I may get this, too.
And this game does look a little 2002 in some ways. Not sure if that's good or bad, yet.
@XxEvilAshxX yeah bud have to agree with you. I'm typically a sim racer but I dived into FH5 and I must say, FH is a much better arcade racer than all NFS games over the last 10 years put together. So I've got my fill.
Not too bothered about the art style but i am too old for all the hip hop gangster stuff (and the dude bro stuff that often crops up in racing games too.)
It is a big reason I prefer sim racers over everything else as that usually never features.
I am sure this will find an audience but I am pretty sure it won't be me. Which is ok I have other stuff I can play
If it crops up on EA play trial I will give it a look but at first glance I don't think I will be buying it.
Not usually a NFS guy but damn that trailer looked sick. This may just be my first NFS since most wanted.
@BRT15 Yeah Forza Horizon pretty much killed the NFS series for me. It does everything that I originally came to NFS for, but it's a lot better and deeper.
Best racing game, unless you’re in F1 mood, is still and always will be GTA V ✌🏼…until 6
The "how do you do fellow kids" meme pops into my head
@antstephenson for me it's the 'the future is now old man' meme with some of the complaints
@Cherip-the-Ripper
I've always believed Dewey is a sociopath in the making 😂
Tap here to load 17 comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...