Over the course of several months, we have seen a few leaks of a new Need for Speed game. Back in April, a gameplay clip surfaced showing off some anime-inspired visual flair from an alpha build of the game. Today, the new game was officially announced by Electronic Arts and Criterion Games.
The new game is called Need for Speed Unbound and it once again tasks you with evading the police and taking on all other street racers. You will try to prove you have what it takes to win The Grand, which is an in-game street racing challenge set in the fictional area of Lakeshore.
Visually, the game is unlike any other Need for Speed game before it. Hell, it's really unlike most every other racing game, period. EA says that the aesthetic they are going for here blends "elements of street art with the most realistic looking cars in the franchise's history." The game itself features a single player narrative story that "engages players in the city of Lakeshore as they race, collect, upgrade, and customize the world's hottest performance cars on their way to the top of the scene."
Need for Speed Unbound is purely a next-gen release for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Right now, it's aiming for release on December 2, 2022. You can pre-order the game right now. Pre-orders for the game are open now and seem to run until just November 29, 2022. Pre-orders will get a bonus of driving effects pack, decals, license plate, banner artwork, stickers, and $150,000 Bank for their in-game wallet.
Need for Speed Unbound starts at $69.99 (USD), including the PC release. There is also a $79.99 "Palace Edition" (in collaboration with Palace Skateboards) that includes four custom cars, a clothing pack, driving effect, decals, license plate, character pose, and banner artwork.
EA Play subscribers will get a 10-hour trial available to them starting November 29. There will also be "recurring in-game benefits" provided to EA Play subs. EA Play Pro subscribers will get unlimited access to Need for Speed Unbound Palace Edition starting November 29.
START AT THE BOTTOM, RACE TO THE TOP
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. Players uncover the world of Lakeshore when a robbery at a family auto-shop tears two friends apart and sets a rookie racer on a journey to win the ultimate street race and reclaim the priceless car that was stolen from them.
Need for Speed Unbound features:
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. Players uncover the world of Lakeshore when a robbery at a family auto-shop tears two friends apart and sets a rookie racer on a journey to win the ultimate street race and reclaim the priceless car that was stolen from them.
Need for Speed Unbound features:
- The World is Each Player's Canvas: Graffiti comes to life in a new art style as players ride through the city equipped with a brand-new toolkit of high-energy visual and sound effects, like Burst Nitrous, which rewards players with style-based boost, reflecting how they drive.
- Run the Streets: The more players race, the more heat they build up. Choose to outdrive or outsmart cops using new escape mechanics to take control of the chase to earn big rewards or even bigger consequences for getting busted.
- Self-Expression and Style: Hundreds of cosmetic items including exclusive licensed gear from some of the world’s pioneering fashion innovators and custom automotive gear companies give players endless options to not only kit out their car but show off their personal style in game.
- Find Freedom in the Flow: Ride to a genre-defying soundtrack of trailblazing artists from the world of hip-hop led by multi-hyphenated artist, entrepreneur, actor and fashion icon A$AP Rocky and his creative agency AWGE, including the world premiere of A$AP Rocky’s brand new track “Sh*ttin’ Me,†also featured in the reveal trailer.
- Takeover Scene featuring A$AP Rocky: A$AP Rocky will appear in-game as the leader of the Takeover Scene, a new replayable precision driving mode that brings together the community to take over parts of the city and celebrate driving with style over pure speed. AWGE also functioned as creative consultants on the game.
