Need for Speed Unbound

 PC
User Score
5.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 278 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 112 out of 278
  2. Mixed: 37 out of 278
  3. Negative: 129 out of 278

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. BigDavid
    Dec 29, 2022
    5
    A step down from Heat. The boost is the only improvement. Betting is also nice but you should be allowed to bet more than 1 driver. Driving mechanics got worse with the addition of grip tuning. The race turn markers are inconsistent with depth of field making turns look like it should be further down. Traffic is more annoying. Cop chases starting after a race is a big step down andA step down from Heat. The boost is the only improvement. Betting is also nice but you should be allowed to bet more than 1 driver. Driving mechanics got worse with the addition of grip tuning. The race turn markers are inconsistent with depth of field making turns look like it should be further down. Traffic is more annoying. Cop chases starting after a race is a big step down and frankly annoying how they reset your speed and start with the cop right behind you. The city is unremarkable compared to Heat as well. City takeover events are unfun. Keep pumping out NFS games though, don't let this franchise die no matter how many misteps.… Expand
  2. Palpamemes
    Feb 21, 2023
    6
    After 35 hours of playing this game, I felt that it was quite mediocre. The story overall was ok, but quite predictable as you were going through it. This feels like a lazy copy and paste of Heat, with a few changes. I will give bonus points for the art style, I thought it was quite cool and unique. I also enjoyed the car customisation too, I thought it was quite in depth and gave youAfter 35 hours of playing this game, I felt that it was quite mediocre. The story overall was ok, but quite predictable as you were going through it. This feels like a lazy copy and paste of Heat, with a few changes. I will give bonus points for the art style, I thought it was quite cool and unique. I also enjoyed the car customisation too, I thought it was quite in depth and gave you plenty of creativity with your car to make it really feel like it was yours. However that is where the positives end, the game is very buggy from my experience playing it, lots of missing textures from invisible vehicles or texture glitches on your HUD. There was also a bug that I kept experiencing where the car would just steer in one direction and get stuck and it would throw me to last place because it had caused me to crash, this happened a few times, in races and police chases too and it got very annoying. There were also times where the car would just lose control spontaneously and also cause me to lose a race. The cars handling as well needs some improvement, there were times I wanted to throw my car into a drift only for it to not do that and crash into a wall, the system in Heat was so much better. Overall I had fun with the game, but at an expense of many many frustrations with it. Do I recommend it? Yes BUT only if its on sale, I wouldn't recommend this at full price.… Expand
  3. Apiwat043TH
    Jan 7, 2023
    7
    Fun, entertainment, excitement, score 7.0
    Was it worth the wait? score 3.0
    Value for money score 4.0
    Does the game style match? score 7.0
    online mode score 4.5
    car accessories score 6.5
    novelty score 4.0
    worth playing score 5.0
  4. Gumdrifter
    Dec 8, 2022
    6
    Not a terrible game, but not a great game either. It's somewhere in between.
  5. wolfgr
    Dec 6, 2022
    7
    NFS Heat clone, but in Chicago. This could be 8/10, if it weren't for those annoying and childish cartoon graphics all over the place. The game targets high school -wannabe gangsters- kids. The handling of the cars didn't improve, it feels like playing on smartphone.
  6. VIAKAL
    Jan 21, 2023
    7
    after 50 hours in game i'can say i liked more then heat. the new boost system is somthing unique.the handling is okay is not my favorite part of the game but is not somthing that bad to me. the betting also was a good addition but i would like to bet to multiple players. the customization of the cars is great too you can change almost anything the cops in the other hand are bad the A.I isafter 50 hours in game i'can say i liked more then heat. the new boost system is somthing unique.the handling is okay is not my favorite part of the game but is not somthing that bad to me. the betting also was a good addition but i would like to bet to multiple players. the customization of the cars is great too you can change almost anything the cops in the other hand are bad the A.I is stupid and they are easy to win if you know how to cheese them. the city is good and not empty as heat but i think it can be better. i'had fun playing the game so for me is 8/10 but ican understand some one score it lower.… Expand
  7. coywow
    Dec 20, 2022
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. i personally am i big fan of the new kiddy arcade style graphics. the story, graphics, and characters are a big plus of this game. the game does a much better job of letting you grip corners than heat, which almost forces you to drift. The drift physics in this game are a little funky but they work. progression is quite slow but bearable. Overall customization is a bit worse than heat, not letting you search for wraps on cars, pretty weak customization on the player character.… Expand
  8. CSK16
    Dec 31, 2022
    7
    I am about 3 weeks into the ingame career mode yet but here's my take on NFS Unbound:
    Good game but a horrible story, I'll explain why.
    The cars feel nice to drive and whatnot, but certain plot points of the story don't really make sense. They tried to throw in multiple concepts at once and that didn't really work out. Also, a lot of the races are extremely repetitive, you're just    I am about 3 weeks into the ingame career mode yet but here's my take on NFS Unbound:
    Good game but a horrible story, I'll explain why.

    The cars feel nice to drive and whatnot, but certain plot points of the story don't really make sense. They tried to throw in multiple concepts at once and that didn't really work out. Also, a lot of the races are extremely repetitive, you're just doing a lot of the same races but in different class vehicles.

    Also, Tess's actor felt absolutely wooden, same with Speedie's actor. I don't expect top-tier acting in a racing game but please for the love of mike, make it at least somewhat bearable. Yaz was good but her lines were kinda eh?

    The gameplay also feels pretty nice, even despite being sensitive and the sense of speed is actually there, also the AI is decently competitive. :)

    Overall, it's a 7/10 for me. TL;DR: Fun game but it has a horrible story and repetitive gameplay.    … Expand
  9. svonton
    Jul 6, 2023
    6
    Experimental results can be good or bad. And this is a good sentence to describe the entire NFS series. Remember some of the previous parts without tuning or even street racing? yeah, that's what I'm talking about - experimentation is one of the main parts in the development of the NFS series (cuz all this games literally about car that make "Wroom Wroom" at night street what you expect toExperimental results can be good or bad. And this is a good sentence to describe the entire NFS series. Remember some of the previous parts without tuning or even street racing? yeah, that's what I'm talking about - experimentation is one of the main parts in the development of the NFS series (cuz all this games literally about car that make "Wroom Wroom" at night street what you expect to new? the ability to drive "abrams m1" or what?). I'm saying this because I've seen a lot of negative reviews about this game due to the anime-like character designs and all that sketchy effect during burnout or drifting (you have the option to disable these effects so it doesn't really matter) but this game has its pros and cons compared to the previous game or as a standalone product.. First, the graphics part and the art style, like I said, this part has a mix of real graphics combined with some cartoony effects and characters that I like. The sound part, as usual, keeps up with modern trends, so here we have rap, pop and so on. And now the main part is the gameplay, in this game we have the same day and night systems, so you have the opportunity to play on the same track in different lighting conditions. - this can be seen as a plus, but only if you're not trying to beat the campaign mode. There are 4 weeks in this game, during which you need to farm money to buy in for the tournament, as well as level up your car. So here we got some resource management where you need to think where take your money what type of race take participate and some of them simply skip. And here's the question: if you have the opportunity to sell a car, but why can't you sell some part that you don't use (as example you change your engine why not sell old one). Also, to earn money, you will probably race the same track about 10 times with the same characters. (yes, they try to give each character their own personality and their own voice actor) but as result same boring faces with the same boring cars. The final part is a story in a nutshell about the power of friendship and misunderstanding - that's all. The conclusion or to whom i will recommend this game ? i guess for some one who missed few parts of NFS and want to check it out (current state of the series) and probably for someone who just wanna chill out listening some rap music while driving muscle car.… Expand
  10. bazuka536
    Aug 11, 2023
    7
    Gra nie taka zła. Wystarczy olać ten styl, wyłączyć muzykę i włączyć coś normalnego w tle np: Heavy Gamers na Spotify i można się dobrze bawić.
    Jazda jak w poprzednich nfs począwszy od tego z 2015 ale za to policja jest wymagająca, nie bardzo, nie słabo, w sam raz ale dopiero wtedy kiedy możemy jeździć autem klasy S.
    W sumie to polecam. Wystarczy tylko olać te animacje, wyłączyć muzykę i    Gra nie taka zła. Wystarczy olać ten styl, wyłączyć muzykę i włączyć coś normalnego w tle np: Heavy Gamers na Spotify i można się dobrze bawić.
    Jazda jak w poprzednich nfs począwszy od tego z 2015 ale za to policja jest wymagająca, nie bardzo, nie słabo, w sam raz ale dopiero wtedy kiedy możemy jeździć autem klasy S.
    W sumie to polecam. Wystarczy tylko olać te animacje, wyłączyć muzykę i dobrze się bawić    … Expand
  11. jarvitom
    May 22, 2023
    7
    Multiplayer part: dead, 16 player map lobbies, races with 2 people max, only grinding no real updates or motivation to play
    Singleplayer: solid gameplay, car handling, new effects are great, races are exciting. The racing maps are repetitive and the structure of the game is a bit boring, cops are OK sometimes annoying that you get max heat after 2 races, also 0 story. Graphics look good,    Multiplayer part: dead, 16 player map lobbies, races with 2 people max, only grinding no real updates or motivation to play
    Singleplayer: solid gameplay, car handling, new effects are great, races are exciting. The racing maps are repetitive and the structure of the game is a bit boring, cops are OK sometimes annoying that you get max heat after 2 races, also 0 story. Graphics look good, lot of cars. Overall enjoyed it but this could have been far greater with a little more thinking and design.    … Expand
  12. jinion
    May 6, 2023
    7
    Worst than Heat but still playable. Drifting and cops mechanics sucks. Drift because this dumb mechanic starts drift when u didn't want to and u can't play without because there are drift events and unstable car start to drift...
    But what annoying me the most are the fcking cops. The game thinks u are the only **** speeding driver in whole univers (what is almost true because none of bots    Worst than Heat but still playable. Drifting and cops mechanics sucks. Drift because this dumb mechanic starts drift when u didn't want to and u can't play without because there are drift events and unstable car start to drift...
    But what annoying me the most are the fcking cops. The game thinks u are the only **** speeding driver in whole univers (what is almost true because none of bots riding on open world - just the event. Dude image the whole USA is chasing u because of speeding... That's how unbound look like.
    And u speed ~20min for single chase do your next race and land with cops on tail... Some masochist create this or what?
    PS: I almost forgot on the dumbest thing - Hiting the objects is **** lottery - one time u can cut big tree or fence second time u get knock out... and almost always u start escaping the police in place where u can't escape because they are on back and front of you, you cant run to the left because u don't have time between the gap to sneak and on your right is long object which u can't destroy. So u fcked

    THX EA FOR CREATING NEXT FIFA MODEL GAME - TOO **** TO PLAY LONGER THAN CREDITS SCREEN    … Expand
  13. infraRecon
    Sep 2, 2023
    6
    It's a 6/10 EA, Don't worry, eventually some random dude with all the answers will fix this franchise, Who that person is well we will see.

    Hopefully, you give them a chance because my g*d the way NFS is going is weird, The answers are literally in front of you and no one has made use of them, it's astounding. Yes, this is my review, I don't bother with a game that's a 6 and below,    It's a 6/10 EA, Don't worry, eventually some random dude with all the answers will fix this franchise, Who that person is well we will see.

    Hopefully, you give them a chance because my g*d the way NFS is going is weird, The answers are literally in front of you and no one has made use of them, it's astounding.

    Yes, this is my review, I don't bother with a game that's a 6 and below, so yeah.

    Anyway, if you Need for Help then just ask me, or Maybe I'll come to you, who knows.

    And thank you Steam for that free weekend, now I know to wait until this game is $2, you nearly got me with that other deal, I was tempted a little, but I know better.

    I feel like going on a little rant, but I know it will be pointless maybe next.

    Oh, EA and Criterion if you plan to Remake Most Wanted, then you better do Carbon, I want in on that project.
    Remakes are for Improvement, not just slapping Fancy Graphics and Changing Details, and I won't let you Remake Carbon as bare as it was in the old days, it deserves more love than that.

    Ok enough of me, I'll be waiting...    … Expand
  14. k1erx
    Jul 14, 2023
    6
    игра прикольная графика красивая но не нравиться аниме стиль и игра очень похожа на нфс хит но спасибо за Украинскую музыку и за Асапа в игре
  15. SuperMK
    Apr 18, 2023
    7
    It was a fine game, and it definitely had its moments. My biggest issue with it wasn't the art style as many people have complained about but rather the sluggish start of the progression system. There were some moments where the cops felt a little unfair but other than that, a good experience (not worth its retail price).
  16. forzakiller137
    Aug 18, 2023
    6
    Subsequent updates are terrible,only one new car for each updates,and economy system is terrible,but all in all,this is a NFS get a passing grade.Hope next NFS will be better.

Awards & Rankings

18
#18 Most Discussed PC Game of 2022

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
73

Mixed or average reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 21
  3. Negative: 1 out of 21
  1. PCMag
    Jan 11, 2023
    60
    Need for Speed Unbound is a beautiful street racing game that features a cool soundtrack and welcome cross-platform play, but frustrating car physics and CPU drivers sully the experience.
    Read full review
  2. Worth Playing
    Jan 3, 2023
    80
    Need for Speed Unbound is a solid comeback for the series, provided you can deal with some potential annoyances. The risk/reward system functions well in creating tension during all parts of a race, but the grind is an annoyance until you get better cars or parts for your initial ride. The presence of elements borrowed from other racing titles is done well enough, but the story can be a chore to sit through if you aren't already using this slang every day. Overall, Unbound is a solid racing title that should hopefully start bringing the series back to prominence.
    Read full review
  3. Edge Magazine
    Dec 29, 2022
    70
    Unbound is ultimately and encouraging statement of intent, demonstrating that Criterion is not afraid to tinker with established formula. [Issue#380, p.114]
See all critic reviews »