NFS Unbound - Release Date, Story, Map, Price & More

After being rumored for months, EA has finally revealed the latest installment in its long-running racing series, NFS Unbound. Unbound is being helmed by Criterion Games, the studio responsible for fan-favorite titles like Burnout Paradise and 2010's Need for Speed Hot Pursuit.

NFS Unbound is the first mainline Need for Speed game since 2019's Heat. By the looks of it, Unbound seems like a return to the action-packed street racing experience with an intense racer cop storyline, something that the series is widely known for.

The American Rapper, A$AP Rocky, is also set to play a huge role in the NFS Unbound story. He has not only produced a brand new track for the game but has also influenced the look and feel of its world.

There's a lot to unpack here. With that said, here's everything you need to know about NFS Unbound, including its release date, story, platforms, and more. 

NFS Unbound release date & platforms

NFS Unbound will release on 2nd December 2022. It's ditching last-gen consoles, which means it will only be available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. The game runs at 4K 60 FPS on PS5 and Xbox Series X.

NFS Unbound story, setting & map

NFS Unbound takes place in Lakeshore, a fictionalized version of Chicago. It's the most diverse NFS map in a while, featuring a rural mountainside region, a massive quarry, and the neon-soaked Chicago metropolis, just to name a few. 

As for the story, here's the game's official description to give you an idea of what to expect - "Race against time, outsmart the cops, and take on weekly qualifiers to reach The Grand, Lakeshore's ultimate street racing challenge. Pack your garage with precision-tuned, custom rides and light up the streets with your style, exclusive fits, and a vibrant global soundtrack that bumps in every corner of the world."

Need for Speed Unbound soundtrack 

Music has always been a defining feature of an NFS game, and Need for Speed Unbound is no different in this regard.

Hip-hop and techno take center stage, and you can expect to hear a lot of notable hip-hop artists in what EA describes as a "genre-defying" soundtrack led by A$AP Rocky and AWGE.

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The French composer and producer Brodinski is helming the game's score, and as EA describes it, "embodies the underground culture that races through the heart of Lakeshore."

NFS Unbound price

The standard edition of NFS Unbound will cost $70 on all platforms, similar to most upcoming AAA titles. While the increase in price is disappointing, it's not long until the $69.99 becomes the standard for current-gen AAA titles.

That's everything you need to know about NFS Unbound.
For more on the game, check our section dedicated to video game news, guides, and features.
Featured image courtesy of EA.