Racing games come in all different shapes and sizes. From accurate, real-world simulators like Assetto Corsa to glitzy, futuristic experiences like F-Zero, the genre is far wider reaching than some realize, and sitting in the center of it all is Need For Speed. It's a franchise that began in 1994 with its first game playable on the 3DO, PS1, and Sega Saturn. The upcoming Need For Speed Unbound is the twenty-fifth in a series that shows no signs of stopping. Each seems to be more flashy than the last, and with the power of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, it's likely that the new game will continue the trend.
However, Need For Speed wields a presentation that is slowly becoming less popular, and as the series is clearly not what it once was, the EA published franchise would do well to lean into other racing game mechanics to feel up to date. It may once have been the cream of the crop, but Forza Motorsport and Horizon now have a tight grip on the genre. Need For Speed has more in common with the latter, often boasting an open world to explore, so in a bid to stay relevant, Need for Speed Unbound would be best served looking to Forza Horizon for inspiration.
Need For Speed is a Product of a Forgotten Time
Need For Speed, while still popular in 2022, is a while removed from its peak popularity. The PlayStation 2 was arguably its best system for the series with titles like Most Wanted, Underground, and NFS: Carbon all being met with critical acclaim and a swathe of fans. Time took its toll, though, and as the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 found a place in homes globally, the desire for more Need For Speed began to dwindle. Forza Motorsport caught traction with its realistic, track-focused experience, fusing the realness of Gran Turismo with the speed of other franchises. It has been a cornerstone of Microsoft's first party offerings ever since, and the upcoming Forza Motorsport once again looks to push the boundaries of modern technology.
As a result of the racing genre shifting gears, Need For Speed feels like a product of a largely forgotten era. Even mammoth film franchise Fast and Furious has deviated from its street racing roots, and this means Need For Speed satisfies an increasingly niche market, as the audience it appeals to is shrinking as the days go by. Forza Motorsport injected a level of excitement into Gran Turismo's slow, deliberate, and accurate racing experience, and Need For Speed should adopt a similar philosophy by toning down the neon-infused streets in favor of something a little more grounded.
Forza Horizon Presents Gorgeous Real-World Adaptations
Some settings in Need For Speed are inspired by real locations, but the Criterion-developed series always seems to rely on fictional places for players to get immersed in. While this is an admirable philosophy in sprawling RPGs like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Fallout, in driving games there's far more of a thrill in discovering areas that bear a close resemblance to the real world. Carving through the Rocky Mountains in Forza Horizon or journeying around the USA in The Crew are some of the best things about each respective property, and Need For Speed often feels less interesting because of its lack of desire to replicate a non-fiction environment.
So much of Forza Horizon's art style relies on the setting so cars, characters, and road layouts are significantly influenced by the place in which it is set. Need For Speed wouldn't have to lose its edgy aura if it were to take place on the nighttime highways around Miami or the rain-soaked streets of London, and the added benefit of a non-fictional setting would make simply existing in the world feel all the more satisfying and familiar to fans. Forza Horizon got so much right, but its festival format restricts it enough to leave room for Need For Speed Unbound, should it wish to take cues from Playground Games' crowning property.
Need for Speed Unbound launches December 2 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.