With Need for Speed Unbound, the series appears to be returning to its street racing roots. Featuring graffiti-style graphics, hip-hop and electronic-influenced music, and plenty of fast cars, it has everything it needs to be a crowd-pleasing entry. Criterion Games seems to be going the extra mile with Need for Speed Unbound, as it also features plenty of collaborations with street and luxury fashion brands.
The collaborations stress that the upcoming game isn't just about speeding down urban settings. It's also about the style and aesthetic of street racing culture. Gamers will get to fully immerse themselves in it with over 17 brand collaborations that will allow them to not only slap on the trendiest clothes, but also have the coolest car on the streets.
Need for Speed Unbound's Brand Collaborations
Of course, cars are the main focus of Need for Speed Unbound. But there is a whole lifestyle and culture surrounding the vehicles, and the game is taking care to document it as well. To achieve this, developers have teamed up with over 17 brands that will make an appearance through clothing, accessories, and car customization options. The brands on offer will include luxury brands such as the French fashion house Balmain. Gamers will be able to throw on designer Balmain jeans and jackets. One of the characters in the game, Eléonore, will also be seen wearing a dress from the designer's Fall 2022 line.
Similarly, the luxury fashion brand Versace will have its own in-game character named Medusa. There will be various Versace clothing available, including jackets and shoes. The upcoming game will also be borrowing from street and skateboard culture. The skateboarding brand Palace Skateboards will have a significant presence, which is also marked by the Palace Edition of Need for Speed Unbound which features plenty of extra goodies. Street clothing from Namilia, Puma, Danielle Guizio, Alpha Industries, Born x Raised, Brain Dead, Champion, Edwin, Fila, GCDS, KhrisJoy, MKI Miyuki-Zoku, Napapijri, and Vans will also be available. The main collaboration being advertised is Unbound's partnership with rapper A$AP Rocky and his creative collective AWGE. Not only will the rapper make an appearance in-game, but he has also recorded original music for the upcoming title.
Style in Need for Speed Unbound
The brand collaborations will allow players to dress their character up in the trendiest clothes. However, Criterion Games hasn't forgotten about the cars, and players will be able to make their vehicles look just as flawless as they are. Some rivals will also be able to show off their style through these brands. For instance, Eléonore drives a Balmain-themed Lotus Emira, while Racer Chase has a custom Puma-wrapped Porsche 911 GT3 RS.
Style is a big part of Need for Speed Unbound, and players will be expected to express it during their races as well. In Takeover races, featuring A$AP Rocky, crossing the finish line first isn't everything. Players are also expected to drive with style - drifting around corners, gaining airtime, using NOS, breaking barriers - to rack up points. For players who have dreams of being the coolest racer on the streets, this is a title that is not to be missed.
Need for Speed is a franchise with a long career, and as such, it has had several highs and lows. Thanks to its stellar playlist and interesting brand collaborations, Unbound may just be one of the memorable entries in the series. Still, while the focus on style is appreciated, Unbound will have to bring good gameplay if it wishes to stand out from its predecessors.
Need for Speed Unbound is scheduled to release on December 2 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.