Racing games come in all different shapes and sizes. From accurate, real-world simulators likeAssetto Corsato glitzy,futuristic experiences likeF-Zero, the genre is far wider reaching than some realize, and sitting in the center of it all isNeed For Speed. It’s a franchise that began in 1994 with its first game playable on the 3DO, PS1, and Sega Saturn. The upcomingNeed For Speed Unboundis 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 Speedwields 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, butForza MotorsportandHorizonnow have a tight grip on the genre.Need For Speedhas more in common with the latter, often boasting an open world to explore, so in a bid to stay relevant,Need for Speed Unboundwould be best served looking toForza Horizonfor inspiration.
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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 likeMost Wanted,Underground, andNFS: Carbonall being met with critical acclaimand 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 moreNeed For Speedbegan to dwindle.Forza Motorsportcaught traction with its realistic, track-focused experience, fusing the realness ofGran Turismowith the speed of other franchises. It has been a cornerstone of Microsoft’s first party offerings ever since, and the upcomingForza Motorsportonce again looks to push the boundaries of modern technology.
As a result of the racing genre shifting gears,Need For Speedfeels like a product of a largely forgotten era. Even mammoth film franchiseFast and Furioushas deviated from its street racing roots, and this meansNeed For Speedsatisfies an increasingly niche market, as the audience it appeals to is shrinking as the days go by.Forza Motorsportinjected a level of excitement intoGran Turismo’s slow, deliberate, and accurate racing experience, andNeed For Speedshould 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 inNeed For Speedare 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 likeThe Witcher 3: Wild HuntandFallout, 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 inForza Horizonorjourneying around the USA inThe Creware some of the best things about each respective property, andNeed For Speedoften feels less interesting because of its lack of desire to replicate a non-fiction environment.
So much ofForza 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 Speedwouldn’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 Horizongot so much right, but its festival format restricts it enough to leave room forNeed For Speed Unbound, should it wish to take cues from Playground Games' crowning property.
Need for Speed Unboundlaunches December 2 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
