Need for Speed Unbounddoesn’t reinvent the series, but it does add several new features that make it one of the best entries thus far. As players drift corners and use ramps to soar, graffiti-style graphics decorate their vehicles. Players can also place bets at the start of races, upping the amount of money they can win.Need for Speed Unbound’s betting system is a great addition, and it could influence the franchise in positive ways.
Through betting, players no longer have to focus on just coming first place - they just need to beat the racer they’ve bet against. This opens the door for great vehicles that aren’t supercars to also get their fair share of attention. Furthermore, it lets daring players set up high-stakes situations by betting against racers that are predicted to beat them.
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Placing Bets in Need for Speed Unbound
InUnbound, players are thrust into the world of street racing. Naturally, gamers have their sights on finishing first in every race and proving that they’re the greatest to ever take the wheel. This has been the plot for otherNeed for Speedgames,includingNeed for Speed: Carbon, but the game doesn’t hand over the glory that easily. For the first few races, players are up against cars that are way faster and are driven by racers with plenty of experience under their belts. Consequently, players have to set more realistic goals and strive to at least beat a few racers, even if they won’t nab that coveted first-place position.
Regardless of whatdifficulty setting players select inUnbound, coming first in the early races will take a Herculean effort. Not finishing first place shouldn’t make players feel like losers, as there is money to be made from ranking in the other positions too. This isn’t negligible, as the start of the game requires players to grind money to finally grab good wheels and enter some of the more high-stakes races. However, the game provides a way for players to increase their earnings. At the start of the race, players can make side bets with other racers. It adds a fun element to the races, as while players may realize that first place is out of reach, they can still focus on beating their gambling rival.
Need for Speed Unboundalso features standard betting; before every race, gamers are given a prediction of where each racer will rank. Ideally, players should be placing bets against racers that are predicted to rank lower than them. Players who are more confident in their skills can aim for superior drivers. The possible payout is higher, but so are the potential losses. During races, players will hear hilarious quips from their betting rivals, whether it be taunts or complaints about not being about to pay their university fees if they lose.
How Placing Bets Could Affect Need for Speed
Placing bets inUnboundintroduces a new element to racing. No longer is it just about coming first in every single race, which is acommon unrealistic feature in racing games likeNeed for Speed. Races now become about beating the racers the player has bet against. Consequently, players can still get wealthy from races without coming first. This allows for a far more genuine rags-to-riches story involving a racer starting from the back and slowly working their way up until they’re the first-place winner.
Bets should return inNeed for Speedgames of the future, as it gives a chance for some of the less fancy cars to get some attention. Players who want to ride in VW Beetles and Mini Coopers can do so and still earn lots of money through strategically placed bets. Consequently, it could seeNeed for Speedgamesof the future giving more attention to cars that aren’t supercharged Lamborghinis and zippy Ferraris. Furthermore, it gives cocky racers the chance to prove themselves by placing bets on racers that are predicted to beat them. The possible prizes are bigger, but so are the losses.
For a while,Need for Speedhas jumped between developers, reinventing itself multiple times as it tries to find its identity. It seems that withNeed for Speed Unbound,it has finally found a good mix between its desire to tell stories and its history of high-speed street racing. Although the game is not without its flaws,Unboundis a highlight in the franchise, and the betting system is one of the reasons why it shines.
Need for Speed Unboundis available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
