Platforms
- PCDec 02, 20226.6playscore7.121 Critics5.415.6K Players
- PlayStation 5Dec 02, 20227.0playscore7.551 Critics6.114K Players
- Xbox Series X|SDec 02, 20226.8playscore7.431 Critics5.51.75K Players
80 critic reviews · 4 community reviews across all platforms
Critic Reviews
- The best Need for Speed title in a long time, Unbound has such a fun gameplay loop and funky style that it's hard to put down. It has a hard difficulty and slightly odd game feel, but most players of racing games will have a blast here and probably fall in love with the chaotic and frantic police chases. Pick this up!
Sandy Kirchner-Wilson · Mar 21, 2024 Reviewed on Series X|SRead full review - With tons of unlockable and upgradable cars, a robust if uninspired multiplayer and an open world with plenty of things to do, Unbound’s unlikely to last you less than a couple dozen hours, unless you get bored before the end credits of course. But boredom isn’t what I’d associate with the latest installment in this everlasting franchise: Need For Speed has found its identity, and while a few concepts require some finetuning, it’s the best episode in a long while and one of the most stylish and generally finest racers of the generation thus far.
Győző Baki · Jan 20, 2023 Reviewed on Series X|SRead full review - Need for Speed Unbound is a highly enjoyable and splendidly polished arcade racer. Criterion has picked meticulously through almost 30 years of NFS legacy, stitching together its finest elements to create a brilliant, feature-packed amalgamation that offers compelling gameplay, deep design, and dazzling aesthetics.
Chris Moyse · Jan 04, 2023 Reviewed on PS5Read full review - 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.
Cody Medellin · Dec 23, 2022 Reviewed on PCRead full review - Need for Speed Unbound marries classic NFS gameplay with a hot new graffiti-inspired aesthetic. Gameplay-wise, it’s a safe approach that sticks to what has always worked for NFS, with police playing a big part during races and open-world exploration.
Mack Ashworth · Dec 22, 2022 Reviewed on PS5Read full review - The visuals and the gameplay are definitely arcade, and playing it is mostly satisfying. While we may not be up against EA's finest racing title, we see a Need For Speed that hopes to propel the series into the spotlight. It's a decent game and racing fans wouldn't mind checking it out.
Rayan · Dec 22, 2022 Reviewed on PS5Read full review - When Unbound works, it’s like driving a gorgeous, humming sports car. When it doesn’t, it’s like driving a rental with a rough-running engine. That doesn’t mean it isn’t worth the ride, but it does mean a few spots could use a tune-up to make this road trip smoother.
Will Borger · Dec 20, 2022 Reviewed on Series X|SRead full review - The story paints something that feels all too real-world with things like police corruption and right-wing smoke screening. Combined with real-world visuals of the city mixed with gorgeous graffiti-like special effects, it all mixes into a fantastic racing experience that is hard to quit. The only gripe is an incredibly slow progression system.
Eric Halliday · Dec 20, 2022 Reviewed on PS5Read full review - Even as the first current-generation only entry in the series, Need for Speed Unbound is a joy to play on Steam Deck. It might’ve released too close to the holidays for most, but if you enjoyed older Need for Speed games, you need to grab this one.
Mikhail Madnani · Dec 19, 2022 Reviewed on PCRead full review - Racing other players feels satisfying but would be more interesting if Unbound's world was more interactive and had a larger variety of activities. While Criterion has successfully returned to the genre, it feels like the developer is being held back from delivering a truly colorful and over-the-top experience it's previously achieved in games like the Burnout series.
Jason Hon · Dec 14, 2022 Reviewed on PS5Read full review
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Community Reviews
- Reviewed on PS5
- Rated on PS5
- Rated on PC
- Rated on PC
About the game
Trailers & Screenshots:
The world is your canvas in Need for Speed™ Unbound. Prove you have what it takes to win The Grand, Lakeshore’s ultimate street racing challenge. Across four intense weeks of racing, earn enough cash to enter weekly qualifiers, beat the competition, and make your mark on the street racing scene while outdriving and outsmarting the cops. Pack your garage with precision-tuned, custom rides and light up the streets with your unique style, exclusive fits, and a vibrant global soundtrack led by A$AP Rocky and AWGE that bumps in every corner of the world. Express yourself to the fullest with the freshest new art styles and signature tags that represent what you're all about. With separate single and multiplayer campaigns, this latest edition in the Need for Speed™ franchise from Criterion Games™ delivers hours of electric, adrenaline-pumping action.
Developer: Criterion Games