Need for Speed: Unbound’s Takeover Scene seems to parallel the takeover challenges of Need for Speed: Carbon. This shouldn’t be the only thing it borrows from its predecessor, as Carbon also had canyon races that were as fun as they were dangerous. The addition of something similar to Unbound would turn it into an iconic Need for Speed title.
RELATED: Need for Speed: Unbound Shouldn’t Value Style Over Substance
Similarities Between NFS: Unbound and Carbon
Need for Speed: Unbound has shown itself to be quite a stylish game. It is dripping with eye-catching visuals and graffiti street art that makes it stand out from the average arcade racing game. Gamers can also expect a quality soundtrack thanks to EA’s collaboration with rapper ASAP Rocky and his creative collective AWGE. Though the series appears to be treading new ground, it appears that the experiment has the right ingredients to be a successful one.
Gamers haven’t seen much gameplay yet, though they have been clued in on what to expect. One of the most exciting revelations is that the upcoming game will feature a new game mode called Takeover Scene. This mode, which will feature ASAP Rocky in-game, has players working together to gain control of different areas of Lakeshore, which will serve as Unbound’s setting. Speed isn’t everything, and players will also be judged on their style.
Though Takeover Scene does sound like it will bring some newness to the series, it bears striking similarities to the takeover challenges of Need for Speed: Carbon. In Carbon, the map is divided into four districts controlled by Bosses. To challenge a Boss, players must take over territory by completing races. The territory gained is not secured forever, and players may be challenged for their territory by rivals. It provided some fun gameplay, and it appears that Criterion Games reinvented the idea for Unbound. However, there is another idea Unbound could also borrow from Carbon.
The Canyon Races of NFS: Carbon
In NFS: Carbon, when players finally catch the attention of a Boss, they’ll get challenged to race in the canyons. These are terrifying races that require precision in addition to speed. The canyon roads are narrow, and the guard rails won’t do much to stop racers from skidding over the edge. Although different kinds of races take place in the canyons, the most exciting is the Canyon Duel. In the first half, the player must follow their opponent as closely as possible without crashing into them. The second half has them switching positions, and the player must attempt to stay as far ahead of their opponent as possible. It takes strategy and skillful driving to pull off, and it’s a nice break from the usual races.
Unbound would do well to feature a similar game mode that has players focusing on more than speed. A return to a canyon-like setting would be greatly appreciated, as it forces players to think about more than being the fastest as they navigate hairpin turns on mountainsides. Unbound would also benefit tremendously from bringing back duels. They were a unique kind of race that worked well, and with a little innovation, duels could find new life in the upcoming game.
Slowly but surely, more information is being released as the game’s release date draws nearer. The latest Need for Speed: Unbound gameplay trailer illustrated that the decorative graphics will be visible during gameplay, though players will be able to turn them off if they wish. With the right elements in place, Criterion Games could have a winner on its hands.
Need for Speed: Unbound is set to release on December 2, 2022, on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
MORE: Need for Speed Unbound’s Anime-Like Visuals Are a Step in the Right Direction
