Released on October 6, the trailer for EA’s Need for Speed Unbound revealed the upcoming title to boast a flashy, distinctly stylized comic book aesthetic that’s never been seen before in the series. Character models appear to be cel-shaded, vehicles are colored flagrantly, covered with decals, and further Unbound's street racing-centric art style, and gameplay is bolstered by a glitzy sheen brought on by a suite of optional effects which appear to trigger during certain actions.A thirty-second trailer uploaded to the Need for Speed Twitter account on October 11 highlighted some of the unique visual elements that players will be able to customize. From the color of the trail of smoke left behind after drifting around a tight turn to the pop art effects that emphasize a boost or a jump, Need for Speed Unbound appears to include more than a few stylistic flourishes that players will be able to tailor to their personal preferences.That said, in a follow-up tweet, it was confirmed that Need for Speed Unbound’s flashy extras are completely optional and can be turned off should the player choose to pursue a more grounded design approach. While no specifics were given, it seems as if players will be able to pick and choose which vehicle elements they would like to embellish and which they would prefer to keep stock. This should be a positive sign for fans who were concerned over Need for Speed Unbound’s apparent style-over-substance approach, though neon hues and abstracted aesthetics are likely to remain prevalent throughout the game world.
Following the release of Need for Speed Heat in 2019, EA’s once-annual racing series went on a short hiatus that’s due to end once Need for Speed Unbound debuts in early December. The Need for Speed Unbound debut trailer seems to have earned a fairly positive reception, though some fans were eager to voice their concerns over the game’s longevity. Development on the most current entry in the Need for Speed franchise was halted roughly a year after launch, and many mourned the wasted potential of the title.
Electronic Arts’ penchant for player-unfriendly in-game monetization schemes could also be cause for alarm; 2017’s Need for Speed Payback was hobbled by unwanted lootbox mechanics, and pushback was so immense—owing partially to similar issues in Star Wars: Battlefront 2—that the developer was forced to make changes. Things have changed significantly since then, but a heavy emphasis on style and aesthetics could translate to a post-release push for microtransactions and battle pass buy-ins.
Need for Speed Unbound is scheduled to release on December 2 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.