Need for Speed is leaving last-gen consoles in the dust. The franchise’s upcoming title, Need for Speed Unbound, will release on December 2 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and PC and will retail for $69.99, according to a recent announcement from Electronic Arts. The game, which is under development at Criterion Games, boasts a 4K resolution at 60 fps, a first for the game series.
Need for Speed Unbound brings a new visual style to the franchise with graphics incorporating street art elements. The upcoming title offers a unique aesthetic, combining graffiti, anime-style art, and the most realistic cars in franchise history. Fans can check out the game’s look by watching the release trailer on YouTube. A$AP Rocky, whose music is featured in the trailer, will appear in-game as the leader of the Takeover Scene, a new precision driving mode that emphasizes style over speed.
“We are inspired to create a truly authentic universe where players see themselves represented in the game. The visual experience of Unbound redefines expectation, with a new signature art style that brings graffiti to life, intensifies the competition, and creates adrenaline-inducing, high-speed action,” says Criterion Games Creative Director Kieran Crimmins.
Welcome to Lakeshore City
Need for Speed Unbound takes place in the open-world environment of Lakeshore City. The more races a player competes in, the more they’ll attract the cops’ attention. Luckily, the game offers new escape mechanics letting players choose to either outdrive or outsmart the police.
EA promises Need for Speed Unbound will deliver an immersive storyline. Players will take on the role of a rookie racer who must reclaim the priceless car that was stolen from their family’s auto shop.
“Need for Speed Unbound challenges the conventions of the racing genre and ups the ante by introducing true consequence with impactful risk and reward for every race, decision and side bet made,” states EA in the press release.
Games Players Can’t Wait For
While Need for Speed Unbound has fans salivating as they await its release, it’s not the only highly anticipated title. Harry Potter fans anxiously await the release of Hogwarts Legacy, set to launch in February. Additionally, an open-world Black Panther game, as well as a single-player Iron Man title, have been announced, though unfortunately for Marvel fans, release dates for these titles are not yet known.
Jack Brassell is a freelance journalist and aspiring novelist. Jack is a self-proclaimed nerd with a lifelong passion for storytelling. As an author, Jack writes mostly horror and young adult fantasy. Also an avid gamer, she works as the lead news editor at Hardcore Droid. When she isn't writing or playing games, she can often be found binge-watching Parks & Rec or The Office, proudly considering herself to be a cross between Leslie Knope and Pam Beasley.