Need for Speed Unbound is the latest entry in the Need for Speed franchise, and it does a lot right, unlike its predecessors. While Need for Speed Unbound is a great arcade racer, it leaves a lot of questions unanswered.
Need for Speed Unbound has a Heat system that players are not given much information about. Heat is the attention the player will draw attention from the police while roaming around the map. The Heat level is highlighted with the flame at the top of the screen. To avoid drawing too much attention, players should decrease their Heat to avoid getting caught during important missions.
How to Decrease Heat in Need for Speed Unbound?
After passing Heat level two, players should decrease their Heat to avoid getting caught. The reason why decreasing Heat is important has to do with the fact that every time the player is roaming, they will draw attention to the police. When the police actively chase the player, they cannot access new missions, events, or hideouts.
Players can decrease Heat in Need for Speed Unbound by following these tips:
- The most effective way to lower Heat is to head to the safe house. After every session, players should visit the safe house to reset the Heat level to zero.
- Escaping a police chase lowers the Heat level. This method will not reset the Heat level to zero, but it does make a difference.
- Another way to lower the Heat level involves getting caught by the police. While this method is not the most effective, it allows players to lower their Heat level. Unfortunately, this method will also cause the player to lose any money won during their session. Players should turn in their money as soon as possible to avoid losing it.
How to Lose the Cops in Need for Speed Unbound?
- When out of sight, the police will look for the player. During this time, the player must ensure the police do not spot them. Players can use auxiliary gadgets or turn off their vehicle’s engine to avoid getting spotted again.
- Players can create distance with the police by jumping off ramps and using NOS.
- Players should use freeways as much as possible as they are not as restrictive as standard streets. Freeways are not narrow and give players enough room to cause havoc to confuse the police. Additionally, since freeways only have entrances and exits, the players can use them to fool the police by taking sudden turns or jumping off ramps.
- When all else fails, players should go off-road. This strategy will allow players to leave the police in the dust as they are more likely to damage their vehicles in pursuit. However, this strategy will only work if the player has an off-road vehicle capable enough to overcome the wilderness.
Heat Levels in Need for Speed Unbound
Need for Speed Unbound has five Heat levels that players need to manage, which are as follows:
- Heat Level 1 – The police will notice the player but will quit the chase sooner rather than later.
- Heat Level 2 – The police will look for the player but will not be determined.
- Heat Level 3 – The police will notice the player and will chase the player, and they will be difficult to get rid of.
- Heat Level 4 – The police will be relentless at this level, and each chase will involve multiple ground vehicles and a helicopter.
- Heat Level 5 – The police will be relentless, and each chase will involve multiple ground vehicles and two helicopters. If the player manages to escape, the police will still look for them. At this Heat level, it is almost impossible to evade the police.
Need for Speed Unbound is available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.