Need for Speed Unbound: Volume 2 Update | Exclusive Hands-On Preview
Presented by EA Creator Network. Special thanks to EA for sponsoring this exclusive hands-on preview
After almost four months since its initial Late November release, Criterion Games and EA have officially revealed the first post-launch content update coming to Need for Speed Unbound later this week.
Labelled by the team as ‘Need for Speed Unbound: Volume 2’, insinuating an almost seasons-like approach to post-launch content drops, this new major content update brings with it the addition of Online Cops, a new Activity type, new vehicles, event types, vanity items and more, alongside a hefty list of changes, fixes and improvements.
Special thanks to EA, we have had the exclusive opportunity to go hands-on with the Volume 2 update to let you know what you can expect when the update drops March 21st on all platforms.
One of Volume 2’s highlighting features is the highly requested and much needed addition of cops in online lobbies. Curiously omitted from the game at launch, police now roam the streets of Lakeshore as you tear around the open world, adding a whole new sense of presence into the online world.
Cops in multiplayer behave a little different compared to the single-player, most notably evading a pursuit in multiplayer will fully reset your Heat level as opposed to sticking with you until you end your session. The addition of cops however now means there’s a risk of any money earned in the open world while in a pursuit, whether that be from taking down cops to completing activities or smashing collectibles, has a chance to be lost if you were to be busted or wrecked.
During my preview experience I was playing in lobbies by myself, so I couldn’t get to see the full potential of cops online with other players and how multiple pursuits in the same session will work, however cops are just as aggressive as they are in single-player (with around 6-7 pursuing at one time) and will no doubt a crazy experience with friends and other players.
Another of Volume 2’s biggest additions are an all-new Activity type – Hot Laps. Hot Laps are small circuit courses that require the player to complete them within certain times to earn stars for, with many ranging between small laps around city streets, to tight weaving between buildings and alleyways, to even off-road.
What’s most exciting about the addition of Hot Laps is a brand new, ‘New to Need for Speed’ car, hidden under the secrecy of being “The Ultimate Luxury” reward. While there are 30 Hot Laps to complete with a total of 90 stars to earn, earning just 30 stars will be enough to net you the Ultimate Luxury vehicle: the 2021 Mercedes Maybach S 680.
While boat-y in both look and feel, the Maybach also features customization options that differ itself from each of the other Activity Reward cars, and not to mention only require a third of the stars. Like with most Mercedes vehicles, Mansory customization options are present in addition to Speedhunter designs.
Speaking of cars, a new playlist reward car has been added to the online, which once winning three race playlists in a Lotus will reward you with a custom 2021 Lotus Emira Balmain edition.
Waru’s Nissan Fairlady 240ZG, which sports the insane Bosozoku bodykit from the campaign, has also been introduced with Volume 2, however is an EA Play Reward much like the Player’s M3 GTR from Most Wanted 2005.
During this preview I did not have access to this due to needing an active EA Play subscription to use it and can confirm the kit itself has not been added to the standard cars’ customization options.
Volume 2 also introduces a much-needed refresh of the Race Playlists available in PvP, not only changing up the events featured in a Race Playlist but drastically increasing the payouts for them.
At launch, playlists would offer $18,000 for first place, however with Volume 2 they now offer $38,000. The multipliers based on how many people are in a playlist make the biggest difference and have had a significant boost, with a full normal playlist now offering $87,400 for whoever comes first.
In addition to this, new Rumble and Endurance event types have been added into the playlist pool. Rumble events are close quarters races taking place on many of the Takeover circuits featured in the single player, whilst Endurance events are, in the name, long form point-to-point events which typically span a good portion of the map.
Rumble Playlists available in Volume 2 are categorized as ‘Mixed Tier’ if you have any issues struggling to find them, offering rumble races in different car classes. Endurance events, whilst being longer, do have their own playlist type and will feature one Endurance event, offering the winner a lower but still substantial $28,500, with a full playlist of players allowing the winner to earn up to $65,550.
These playlist payouts aren’t the only boosts to Unbound Online’s economy, with Volume 2 introducing Daily Challenges that will allow to earn an additional $60,000 per day. 40 Daily Challenges have been added with Volume 2, each day featuring a set of three randomized challenges offering $10,000, $20,000 and $30,000 respectively depending on which challenge you complete.
While these are the more outlining features coming to Unbound in the Volume 2 update, there are an absolute laundry list worth of additional smaller changes, improvements and fixes coming which you can read all about over on the Need for Speed website.
Most notably for avid online PvP players is a rebalance of how the car class system works which now prevents cars being downgraded to be used in lower-end playlists, which should now mean vehicles like the Pista will no longer dominate in every B Class playlist.
A new UI feature has been added to the Online map screen which will showcase how many other players are in your lobby and what they are currently doing, whether that be roaming the world, in the garage or in a race playlist.
Smaller fixes and details include cars can now have their own unique tags rather than one applied for all, you can now switch cars from a Meetup as opposed to visiting the garage, and my personal favourite addition a really cool new idle cinematic in the garage rotating around your car. Rental cars in Online also sport a Rydell’s Rides livery which is a fun little detail
Whilst there is a good number of fixes and new additional content with Volume 2, this update realistically puts the game into a state it should have been in at launch and will hopefully be a good step to build upon now that the immediate economy issues, missing online cops and car class balance problems have been addressed.
Since its announcement last October, EA has constantly reassured players that Need for Speed Unbound is a live-service title and will receive many updates over the course of its lifespan, with promises of new cars, social features and more, so expect Volume 2 to be one of many volumes coming to the game over the course of the next year.
Need for Speed Unbound’s Volume 2 Update will be available on all platforms on March 21st. Be sure to stay tuned to our socials for all the latest Need for Speed related news and annoucements.