OK, so this is going to be a long one: Better than I expected, and not a step in the wrong direction, but it doesn't change or improve much over previous games. Overall, it's another turn n' burn release, leaving a lot to be desired. Granted, it does go on SALE sometimes, the graphics are gorgeous, and you really can't expect much from NFS, anyways. If you liked the last couple games in the series and just need more, EA is back again to dole it out...

Here's what the game does decently: CAR HANDLING. Surprise! Unbound actually features a pretty balanced physics/handling mechanic. It feels like a refinement of the Ghost Games (EA Gothenburg) style of driving rather than the previous "drift or die" Criterion games. Sure, it's not great - There are going to be janky moments with the physics which may end up costing you a turn or a win, but thank goodness: Each car's physics profile is uniquely modeled, and you have access to some tuning settings. Driving your car carefully and discovering it's neutral handling qualities pays off, as opposed to stacking stats and button mashing.

There's also some great details. In addition to the very pretty, wet visual effects, Lakeshore is built like a real city. The checkpoint placement and visibility in every activity is refined and feels thoroughly play-tested. Also, the graffiti art you encounter, the single player plot, and the typical NFS "street scene" elements feel organic and beautiful here, not forced. It's minor, but I think they did these details better than previous games.

So here's what sucks (in single player): THE POLICE. While they barely interfere during race events, they are a constant antagonist in freeroam when you're just trying to get from point A to B, day or night! NFS Heat and every game before it was able to strike a nice balance with the Police activity, but in this game, freeroam chases are a loathsome, time-wasting nightmare...

Unless you sneak around the city timidly like some sort of stealth-survival car-ninja, you will be constantly battling cops! You will miss out on time-sensitive bonus objectives, and will generally be tearing around in circles like a chicken with your head cut off going asses and elbows against the Law. When you hit level 4 or 5 Heat, just go home immediately, unless you have nothing to lose.

There's no significant reward for carrying high heat and escaping all these unwanted pursuits. You just get away with the luxury of not losing all your progress. I guess that's realistic - like the video game equivalent of getting into a brutal street-fight, winning, and then going home with nothing more than a bloody nose and and a black eye. Who wants to do that?

My point is: Freeroam chases feel tedious. If you catch heat during a race, the follow up chase afterward is fun - but once you escape that, there's nothing new or fun about getting chased around in freeroam. The evasion mechanics should have been refined significantly. Aside from being able to blow by cops at low level without triggering them, and having helicopters eventually run out of fuel, there's nothing new or innovative about it.

In combination with the "Calendar" system, this makes Career mode feel really rushed and stressful. It's five lanes of ten-speed, high-stakes terror every week, which makes it one of least enjoyable and exhausting single-player NFS experiences.

So basically, the single-player experience kinda sucks. I recommend grinding it out till the end, because it gives you a huge leg-up in Online mode by earning free cars. Any car you've won in your single-player game transfers over to your Online garage (minus any upgrades). And speaking of Online - this is the best Online experience I've had in NFS so far, with balanced car classes, and reliable matchmaking and server connectivity!

In conclusion, if you are just looking for a good Single-Player NFS experience, go play NFS: Heat, or even Need For Speed (2015) if you haven't already. Even with their flaws, those games are more enjoyable than this campaign. But if you're just here to play the latest and greatest NFS Online, look no further!

OK, so this is going to be a long one: Better than I expected, and not a step in the wrong direction, but it doesn't change or improve much over previous games. Overall, it's another turn n' burn release, leaving a lot to be desired. Granted, it does go on SALE sometimes, the graphics are gorgeous, and you really can't expect much from NFS, anyways. If you liked the last couple games in the series and just need more, EA is back again to dole it out... Here's what the game does decently: CAR HANDLING. Surprise! Unbound actually features a pretty balanced physics/handling mechanic. It feels like a refinement of the Ghost Games (EA Gothenburg) style of driving rather than the previous "drift or die" Criterion games. Sure, it's not great - There are going to be janky moments with the physics which may end up costing you a turn or a win, but thank goodness: Each car's physics profile is uniquely modeled, and you have access to some tuning settings. Driving your car carefully and discovering it's neutral handling qualities pays off, as opposed to stacking stats and button mashing. There's also some great details. In addition to the very pretty, wet visual effects, Lakeshore is built like a real city. The checkpoint placement and visibility in every activity is refined and feels thoroughly play-tested. Also, the graffiti art you encounter, the single player plot, and the typical NFS "street scene" elements feel organic and beautiful here, not forced. It's minor, but I think they did these details better than previous games. So here's what sucks (in single player): THE POLICE. While they barely interfere during race events, they are a constant antagonist in freeroam when you're just trying to get from point A to B, day or night! NFS Heat and every game before it was able to strike a nice balance with the Police activity, but in this game, freeroam chases are a loathsome, time-wasting nightmare... Unless you sneak around the city timidly like some sort of stealth-survival car-ninja, you will be constantly battling cops! You will miss out on time-sensitive bonus objectives, and will generally be tearing around in circles like a chicken with your head cut off going asses and elbows against the Law. When you hit level 4 or 5 Heat, just go home immediately, unless you have nothing to lose. There's no significant reward for carrying high heat and escaping all these unwanted pursuits. You just get away with the luxury of not losing all your progress. I guess that's realistic - like the video game equivalent of getting into a brutal street-fight, winning, and then going home with nothing more than a bloody nose and and a black eye. Who wants to do that? My point is: Freeroam chases feel tedious. If you catch heat during a race, the follow up chase afterward is fun - but once you escape that, there's nothing new or fun about getting chased around in freeroam. The evasion mechanics should have been refined significantly. Aside from being able to blow by cops at low level without triggering them, and having helicopters eventually run out of fuel, there's nothing new or innovative about it. In combination with the "Calendar" system, this makes Career mode feel really rushed and stressful. It's five lanes of ten-speed, high-stakes terror every week, which makes it one of least enjoyable and exhausting single-player NFS experiences. So basically, the single-player experience kinda sucks. I recommend grinding it out till the end, because it gives you a huge leg-up in Online mode by earning free cars. Any car you've won in your single-player game transfers over to your Online garage (minus any upgrades). And speaking of Online - this is the best Online experience I've had in NFS so far, with balanced car classes, and reliable matchmaking and server connectivity! In conclusion, if you are just looking for a good Single-Player NFS experience, go play NFS: Heat, or even Need For Speed (2015) if you haven't already. Even with their flaws, those games are more enjoyable than this campaign. But if you're just here to play the latest and greatest NFS Online, look no further!