History VideoGame / NeedForSpeedUnbound

* CasualDangerDialogue: Where everyone, including the PlayerCharacter are basically talking about social media, self-expression and lots of pop-culture gossip in a game that's supposed to be focused on illegal street racing.

* CoolCar:
** It ain't ''Need for Speed'' without cool cars. Among the returning cars from ''Heat'', there are more convertible variants of existing models, (including the Ford Mustang GT Convertible in its 2019 post-facelifted model), A$AP Rocky's Mercedes 190E as seen in the cover, and the Bugatti Chiron Sport, one of the hypercars that can battle with the likes of the Regera and the FXX-K Evo. Amongst the new cars of the 2020s, it adds the Lotus Emira and the Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4,[[note]]the latter which also appeared in ''No Limits'', 4 months before ''Unbound's'' release[[/note]] making their debuts in the franchise.

* EqualOpportunityEvil: Subverted. Majority of the racers in Lakeshore are of various nationalities from outside the U.S., and all are ther just to simply race and express themselves freely. Not to the fact that street racing is obviously illegal.

* HiddenInPlainSight: LPD's Undercover units are black, unmarked Chevrolet Camaro [=Z28s=], akin to Danny Shaw's car in ''Heat''. They're not visible on your map and blend in with the traffic, especially at night, making these units a pain to deal with when not in pursuit. Oh, and look out for [[PopTheTires spike strips]] too.

* LightningBruiser: At Heat Level 5, be on a lookout for Heavy units joining the pursuit. They appear as Ford F-150 Raptors and you expect them to be slow and easy to outrun due their size, but they turn out to be absurdly fast and capable of driving off road easily. Simply put, they're ''Unbound''[='s=] equivalent of the Supercharged Rhino [=SUVs=] from ''[[VideoGame/NeedForSpeedMostWanted Most Wanted]]''.

** This trope would play straight with Vol 3's RewardsPass (see below).

* VisibilityMeter: The police now has a spotting meter that fills up when exposed to the cops' visual range. If the meter is full, then you're engaged in a pursuit. An auxiliary item makes cops spotting you even harder.

** To celebrate 75 years of Porsche, Vol 4 adds the [[GreenAesop 2022 Porsche Taycan Turbo S]], the first electric car since ''[[VideoGame/NeedForSpeedMostWanted2012 Most Wanted (2012)'s]]'' Tesla Roadster.

* {{Animesque}}: ''Unbound'''s setting features ''[[Creator/MiHoYo [=HoYoverse=]]]''-style CelShading combined with Japanese-style aesthetics, making the characters look like they came fresh out of an anime.

** Vol 4's custom Porsche cars have it references. The colorfully graffitied Taycan is based on the [[https://cdn.motor1.com/images/mgl/G3BBrb/s1/porsche-taycan-turbo-s-art-car-2023-photofairs-shanghai.jpg Porsche Taycan Art Car]], while the Legendary Custom Porsche 911 Carrera S (993) is based on the [[https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5caed8960cf57d49530e8c60/645f38f6-48dc-4d4e-98d8-96d445994090/art-mg-porsche917-20+02.jpg iconic pig pink livery of the Porsche 917/20]].

** Confirmed with Vol 4 update, it adds the legacy custom cars over the franchise, such as Eddie's Nissan Skyline GT-R [=R34=] from ''[[VideoGame/NeedForSpeedUnderground Underground]]'', Rachel Teller's Nissan [=350Z=] from ''[[VideoGame/NeedForSpeedUnderground Underground 2]]'' and Joe's Polestar 1 from ''[[VideoGame/NeedForSpeedHeat Heat]]''.

* ExcusePlot: ''Unbound's'' premise: The garage you worked and lived in (Rydell's Rydes) gets raided and your friend may or may not be involved, but nonetheless abandons you after [[letting fame go to her head]] [InWithTheInCrowd in favor of a new, "cooler" crowd] Your solution? Go street racing for fame and money and a chance of defeating her. There's also something or other about the [[MayorPain corrupt mayor]] being very moronic in doing her duty, but it does not affect your story and is squarely on the background.

** The Porsche Cayman [=GT4=] and the 718 Boxster Spyder have a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sg2VDAAyYUc crazy]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO3RhgOvAGE body kit]] that resembles the 991.2 911 [=GT3=] RS, headlights included. Both also have a rear fender option that resembles the extended tail on the 2019 [=Porsche 935=]. And it doesn't stop there. The Legendary Custom Porsche 993 Carrera in the Vol 4 update gets also the 935 treatment too.

** The [[https://media.contentapi.ea.com/content/dam/ea/need-for-speed-unbound/common/vol-4/news-articles/vol-4-uth-article/exc-vol4-gif05-legendarycustompack-lotusexiges-2006-16x9-logo.gif Legendary Customs Lotus Exige]] in the Vol 4 update gets a monstrous treatment. ''Literally.'' Also the [[https://media.contentapi.ea.com/content/dam/ea/need-for-speed-unbound/common/vol-4/news-articles/vol-4-uth-article/exc-vol4-gif07-swagpack-mercedesg63amg-2016-16x9-logo.gif Hip Hop Origin Swag Pack Mercedes-AMG G 63]] gets not just a widebody, but also windshield sticlers that ''completely obstruct'' the driver's vision.

* CallBack: Once again, the '''BMW M3 GTR''' from ''Most Wanted'' makes another comeback. Prior to the Vol 3 update, it is restricted to online only and you must be an EA Play member if you want your hands on this iconic car. [[spoiler:One of the High Heat Deliveries lets the player drive the BMW M3 GTR. Yaz says the client is someone calling themselves "The Blacklist", told Yaz that the car is under heavy police attention, and Yaz later finds out the client was just released from jail and the car was the first thing he wanted, the latter implying that it's Clarence "Razor" Callahan, especially with the player saying that they feel like they're "living on the razor's edge" due to the danger of these assignments.]]

** The Porsche Cayman [=GT4=] and the 718 Boxster Spyder have a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sg2VDAAyYUc crazy]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO3RhgOvAGE body kit]] that resembles the 991.2 911 [=GT3=] RS, headlights included. Both also have a rear fender option that resembles the extended tail on the 2019 [=Porsche 935=].

* ExcusePlot: ''Unbound's'' premise: The garage you worked and lived in (Rydell's Rydes) gets raided and your friend may or may not be involved, but nonetheless abandons you after [[letting fame go to her head]] [[InWithTheInCrowd in favor of a new, "cooler" crowd]] Your solution? Go street racing for fame and money and a chance of defeating her. There's also something or other about the [[MayorPain corrupt mayor]] being very moronic in doing her duty, but it does not affect your story and is squarely on the background.

* RewardsPass: The Vol 3 Update adds the so-called "Speed Pass" where you get free driving effects, underglows, [[AndYourRewardIsClothes clothes]], [[VictoryPose winning poses]], etc., etc. All you gotta do is complete [[PlayEveryDay daily and weekly challenges]] between June 20 to August 16, 2023.

* ExcusePlot: ''Unbound's'' premise: Rydell's Rydes gets raided and the [[MayorPain corrupt mayor]] is very moronic in doing he duty. Your solution? Go street racing for fame and money.

* HammerspacePoliceForce: To an even bigger degree than ''[[VideoGame/NeedForSpeedMostWanted Most Wanted (2005)]]''. At Heat Level 5, cops have a very low spawn time and very quickly swarm towards the player -- to the point you might sometimes be tracked down by ''two'' helicopters at the same time.
* HappyEndingOverride: The ending of ''Heat'' had the BMW M3 GTR, after it somehow ended in the hands of the main antagonist Lt. Frank Mercer, being taken by the protagonist after Mercer is defeated. However, here the M3 GTR is on the loose again as one of the delivery mission cars, ''somehow'', and the dialogue during the mission strongly imples that the person who commisioned the car to be delivered to them is none other than ''Razor'', the antagonist from ''Most Wanted'' (2005) himself.
* HiddenInPlainSight: LPD's Undercover units are black unmarked Chevrolet Camaro [=Z28s=], akin to Shaw's car in ''Heat''. They're not visible on your map and they can blend with the traffic very well, especially at night, making these units a pain to deal with when not in pursuit. Oh, and look out for [[PopTheTires spike strips]] too.

[[JustForFun/TheOneWith The one]] where cartoons, anime, and living street art meet a realistic-looking open world.

* TimeSkip: [[spoiler:The game jumps forward 2 years after Rydell's Rydes was raided in the prologue.]]

* WackyRacing: When Lakeshore's street racing meets Driving Effects. All for the sake of RuleOfCool.

* ExcusePlot: ''Unbound's'' premise: Rydell's Rydes gets raided and the [[MayorPain corrupt mayor]] is very adamant. Your solution? Go street racing for fame and money.
* FakeDifficulty: ''Unbound's'' difficulty may be a mix of friction... Relaxed difficulty may not be as "Relaxed" as the NPCs can be difficult to beat depending on your car, even at the beginning stages and vice versa.

** The game's heat stays the same regardless if you switch to a new or different car. It seems that the LPD has some way to detecting you even if you drive a car that has no criminal record.

* {{Itasha}}: Anime decals are available to be applid in you car via Wrap editor. One noteable example is a promotional image that has a [[https://media.contentapi.ea.com/content/dam/ea/need-for-speed-unbound/common/news-page/2022/10/exc-rev-screenshot-03-streetrace-web-1920x1080-logo.png.adapt.1920w.png Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX wrapped in a kawaii anime design]], [[spoiler:which belongs to Boost, a racer who is in love with anime itself.]]

** Carried over from ''Heat'', but ''Unbound's'' format goes more into a "more rewards for higher risk" premise. Nighttime races net you bigger payouts but may attract higher heat from the LPD. Heat accumulated from the day session is carried over into the night session. After your night session, your heat level resets back to 0 on the next day.

** Some of the body kits would have different spoilers in ridiculous forms.

* ExcusePlot: ''Unbound's'' premise: "Oh look! Rydell's Rydes was raided and the mayor is corrupt. Let's go street racing for fame and money!"

* LightningGlare: [[spoiler:The end of the third week of the qualifier has you and Yaz tensely glare at each other, complete with lightning effects arcing back and forth between their eyes, indicating how much friction between the two had developer over the course following the garage raid.]]

* MadeOfPlasticine: The cop cars in ''Unbound'' are far more fragile than ''Heat'', where even a slight collision would cause their car to get wrecked. It's possible for even a supercar to easily takedown an AWD or a Heavy ''head-on'' and not recieve any damage from your car.

* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: [[spoiler:We don't get to see who won the mayoral election after the ending.]]

* ATasteOfPower: [[spoiler:The prologue lets the player choose between [[StarterMon a 1969 Dodge Charger, a 1988 Lamborghini Countach, and a Nissan S14 Silvia]] to restore and drive for a few races until Yaz drives off with it when Rydell's car collection is stolen.]] [[spoiler: Its online counterpart instead offers you 3 different starter cars: A Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport, a Mercedes AMG G 63 Wagon or an [=R32=] Nissan Skyline. Unlike the main story, you get to keep your starting car.]]

* StarterMon: As soon as you finish creating your PlayerCharacter, the game then asks you to pick a junker to restore, which will server as your starter car for the game's story proper. The choice of cars are either a 1969 Dodge Charger, a Nissan Silvia [=S14=], or a Lamborghini Countach.

* ATasteOfPower: [[spoiler:The prologue lets the player choose between [[StarterMon a restored 1969 Dodge Charger, a 1988 Lamborghini Countach, and a Nissan S14 Silvia]] to drive for a few races until Yaz drives off with it when Rydell's car collection is stolen.]] [[spoiler: Its online counterpart instead offers you 3 different starter cars: A Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport, a Mercedes AMG G 63 Wagon or an [=R32=] Nissan Skyline. Unlike the main story, you get to keep your starting car.]]

* CoolCar: It ain't ''Need for Speed'' without [[TitleDrop cool cars]]. Among the returning cars from ''Heat'', there are more convertible variants of existing models, (including the Ford Mustang GT Convertible in its 2019 post-facelifted model), A$AP Rocky's Mercedes 190E as seen in the cover, and the Bugatti Chiron Sport, one of the hypercars that can battle with the likes of the Regera and the FXX-K Evo. Amongst the new cars of the 2020s, it adds the Lotus Emira and the Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 [[note]]The Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 also appeared in ''No Limits'', 4 months before ''Unbound's'' release.[[/note]], making their debuts in the franchise.
** The Vol 2 update adds this mysteriously so-called "Ultimate Luxury" car. And that is "the most luxurious car in the world", the Mercedes Maybach S 680.
** The Vol 3 update adds a blast from the past; the [[Franchise/BackToTheFuture DMC [=DeLorean=]]], complete with BurningRubber driving effect. Great Scott indeed. As bonus points, you can fit it with a time machine {{Expy}} body kit![[note]]This is not the first time the franchise adds a [=DeLorean=] as this car also appeared in ''No Limits'' as part of the Future Past update in December 2020.[[/note]]

-->'''Officer:''' ''[furious, when you damage their car]'' '''MY CAR!!!''' You assholes!/My car you dingleberries!

** The game's heat stays the same regardless if you switch to a new or different car. It seems that the LPD has some logic to detecting you drive a car that has no criminal record.

*** The Ferrari Testarossa delivery his aptly titled "[[VideoGame/OutRun Outrunner]]".

*** [[spoiler:In the "Eastbound and Down" event, where you deliver a classic 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, once you finished it, Tess will mention it's for the PR who'll be "[[Film/SmokeyAndTheBandit doing a reboot of an old movie about some wise cracking mustachioed driver on the run from the law]]"]]. [[spoiler:Apparently in "Rebooted" where you deliver the same Firebird, Yaz states that the reboot didn't happen]].

* SirSwearsALot: Remember back in ''Heat'' when hard profanity was used, mainly by cops who say "shit" or "assholes"? You'll be expecting more here in the game as majority of the characters and music will drop their colorful language all the time. Even one of the events is aptly named "This Shit is Tight". More vulgar words like "fuck" still remain unused, though.
* SocializationBonus: Vol 3 adds Linkups for Lakeshore Online, where you work together with other players in completing stunts and other activities for rewards. Take it as [[VideoGame/BurnoutParadise Freeburn Challenges]] or [[VideoGame/{{Forza}} Horizon Arcade]] with cops.

* StarterMon: As soon as you finish creating your PlayerCharacter, the game then asks you to pick a junker to restore, which will server as your starter car for the game's story proper. The choice of cars are either an old Dodge Charger, a Nissan Silvia [=S14=], or a Lamborghini Countach.

* YouBreakItYouProfit: Added in Vol 3, you now have the ability to earn money for... [[CopKiller wrecking cops]].

* DarkerAndEdgier: Continuing the trend started in ''Heat'', the game appears to strive towards the SeriousBusiness aspect of street racing featured during the tuner era of ''NFS'' as well as the "street racing as a personal statement" idea of ''Rivals''. The game's trailer features a car meet-up being interrupted by a police raid and even before said raid, the way street racing is treated in the trailer recalls the "street racing as a BloodSport" mindset of the tuner era. [[spoiler:This later demonstrates the catalytic raid of Rydell's Rydes.]]

** Carried over from ''Heat'', but ''Unbound's'' format goes more into a "more rewards for higher risk" premise. Nighttime races net you bigger payouts but may attract higher heat from the LPD. Heat accumulated from the day session is carried over into the night session.

* {{Animesque}}: ''Unbound'''s setting features ''VideoGame/GenshinImpact''-style CelShading combined with Japanese-style aesthetics, making the characters look like they came fresh out of an anime.

* ATasteOfPower: [[spoiler:The prologue lets the player choose between a restored 1969 Dodge Charger, a 1988 Lamborghini Countach, and a Nissan S14 Silvia to drive for a few races until Yaz drives off with it when Rydell's car collection is stolen.]] [[spoiler: Its online counterpart instead offers you 3 different starter cars: A Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport, a Mercedes AMG G 63 Wagon or an [=R32=] Nissan Skyline. Unlike the main story, you get to keep your starting car.]]

* RewardsPass: The Vol 3 Update adds the so-called "Speed Pass" where you get free driving effects, underglows, [[AndYourRewardIsClothes clothes]], [[VictoryPose winning poses]], etc., etc. All you gotta do is complete [[PlayEveryDay daily and weekly challenges]]. And the best part? It's '''free'''.
* RiceBurner: Big Country Labs, spoilers that are ridiculously taller than the roof, make a comeback here. And here adds more KS edition body kits from hidden cars from ''Heat''. Take that [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEym8KdrBoM Lamborghini Aventador]] for example.

** The car customization itself goes insanely further. If you thought vanity items like flashy car neons or rainbow tire smoke ain't enough, here, the game introduces "Driving Effects", a new customization feature that allows players to express or represent themselves with Tags floating above the car's roof, and street art-inspired effects such as cartoon tire smoke and artistic wings when you're airborne, in a similar vein as ''VideoGame/TheCrew2''. Effects are applied to all of your cars and applied by default and there's absolutely no way to remove effects. The Vol 2 update now allows you to apply effects to each individual car instead, allowing you to pick a unique style for each of the cars you own.

** If you crashed your car but landed on all four wheels attached and they are still functioning, you'll be given a message saying "[[VideoGame/BurnoutParadise Driveaway]]".

** In the garage menu, you can clearly see a neon sign reading "VideoGame/{{Burnout}}" with a neon tube forming an image of the [[https://burnout.fandom.com/wiki/Carson_Annihilator Carson Annihilator]], one of the many [[{{Fauxrrari}} lookalikes to real-life cars]] [[note]]in this case, a combination of the 1971 Plymouth Road Runner (front and midsection) and 1971 Dodge Charger (rear)[[/note]] used in ''VideoGame/BurnoutParadise''. This is what you get from a [[Creator/CriterionGames Criterion]]-developed game. [[note]][[https://preview.redd.it/deep-easter-egg-in-nfs-unbound-the-neon-in-the-safehouse-is-v0-4kxnk1z1ax3a1.jpg?width=1024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&v=enabled&s=3af3b42210d7a853ccad8f5278d7585ff661d820 This is actually the same neon sign used in]] Criterion's RealLife office[[/note]]
** Speaking of ''VideoGame/BurnoutParadise'', if you head out to Yams Park, you'll be seeing an abandoned car lying out in the open, complete with a Paradise City license plate.
** Yet again, another ''VideoGame/BurnoutParadise'' reference is put to play. Changing your PFP? One of the profile images features a car, which is clearly a screenshot of the Carson 500 GT in the car select menu.

** The Vol 3 adding the DMC [=DeLorean=] is a clear reference to ''Franchise/BackToTheFuture''. Bonus points added for the BurningRubber effect.

* YouBreakItYouProfit: Added in Vol 3 gives you the ability to earn money for... wrecking cops.

*** [[spoiler:In the "Eastbound and Down" event, where you deliver a classic 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, once you finished it, Tess will mention it's for the PR who'll be "[[Film/SmokeyAndTheBandit doing a reboot of an old movie about some wise cracking mustachioed driver on the run from the law]]". [[spoiler:Apparently in "Rebooted" where you deliver the same Firebird, Yaz states that the reboot didn't happen.]]

** The Vol 3 update adds a blast from the past; the [[Franchise/BackToTheFuture DMC [=DeLorean=]]], complete with BurningRubber driving effect. Great Scott indeed. [[note]]This is not the first time the franchise adds a [=DeLorean=] as this car also appeared in ''No Limits'' as part of the Future Past update in December 2020.[[/note]]

* NoDamageRun: High Heat delivery missions require you to deliver the car to its destination whilst escaping from the cops without taking any damage. However, if the car gets beaten up, one can just simply drive to a gas station for a full repair before reaching the destination to get the full payout being offered. Since these have no time limits, you can take your time to drive carefully to its destination whilst being cautious for cops around the area.

*** [[spoiler:In the "Eastbound and Down" event, where you deliver a classic 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, once you finished it, Tess will mention it's for the PR who'll be "[[Film/SmokeyAndTheBandit doing a reboot of an old movie about some wise cracking mustachioed driver on the run from the law]]". Apparently in "Rebooted" where you deliver the same Firebird, Yaz states that the reboot didn't happen.]]

* SirSwearsALot: Remember back in ''Heat'' when hard profanity was used, mainly by cops who say "shit" or "assholes"? You'll be expecting more here in the game as majority of the characters will drop their colorful language all the time. Even one of the events is aptly named "This Shit is Tight". More vulgar words like "fuck" still remain unused, though.

** There's Creator/{{Codemasters}} (who provided support of) decal category, featuring designs that were used in ''VideoGame/{{Onrush}}'' and ''[[VideoGame/{{DIRT}} DiRT 5]]''.

*** [[spoiler:In the "Rebooted" event, where you deliver a classic 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, once you finished it, Tess will mention it's for the PR who'll be "[[Film/SmokeyAndTheBandit doing a reboot of an old movie about some wise cracking mustachioed driver on the run from the law]]".]]

* ShoutOut: Has now its own page [[ShoutOut/NeedForSpeedUnbound here]].

* DenserAndWackier: Lots of crazy things are happening in ''Unbound'', mainly in regard of [[PimpedOutCar overexagerrated customization options]], CelShaging characters, customizable [[VictoryPose Victory Poses]], over-the-top driving effects and tags, and so on.

* MarathonLevel: Basically any Endurance event falls under this trope. It's basically a simple street race on an excessively long distance checkpointed route.

* NoDamageRun: High Heat delivery missions require you to deliver the car to its destination whilst escaping from the cops without taking any damage. However, if the car gets beaten up, one can just simply drive to a gas station for a full repair before reaching the destination to get the full payout being offered.

* OnlyOneName: Majority of the characters and racers are only known by their given names. Averted for Mayor Morgan Stevenson ([[spoiler:and if you also count the podcaster]], [[spoiler:Aaliyah Michelle Stevenson, who is actually the mayor's daughter]]) and Holden Parker III as they are the only 2 two to have a surname.

* SuddenlyVoiced: While ''Heat'' has the first BlankSlate PlayerCharacter to speak, ''Unbound'' takes this trope to new heights by now having each of the regular opponents having a voice and personality mid-race, the first time since the Outrun opponents from ''Underground 2''.

* TimeSkip: [[spoiler:The game jumps forward 2 years after Rydell's car collection is stolen in the prologue.]]

* VictoryPose: ''Unbound'' exhibits this trope a lot, as the game lets you choose a victory emote for your PlayerCharacter when winning an event. Poses like a VSign, KnuckleCracking, TalkToTheHand, or a PecFlex.

* CharacterCustomization: Character customization from ''[[VideoGame/NeedForSpeedHeat Heat]]'' returns. While you are given 8 presets, your avatar can be altered now with different hairstyles, masks, and clothing, but now you can also individually choose the skin tone, hairstyle, eye and hair color and facial hair ([[GirlsWithMoustaches included also for female avatar]]), as opposed to the previous where you need to select another preset just to change the skin tone. You can now also even change your profile banner and your character's winning pose.

* Infinity

** This trope would play straight with Vol 3's RewardPass.

** The Vol 3 update gives you the ability to teleport to a Safehouse or a Meetup, something handy if you don't want cops from your rear.

* PaletteSwap: The convertible and track-only variants of the base models (e.g. the roadster version of the BMW [=i8=] or the Performante version of the Lamborghini Hurácan) return from ''Heat'' (including its DownloadableContent). The lineup (including the custom and ''Palace Edition'') now has six different Lamborghini Aventadors and six different AMG [=GTs=].

** Vol 3 adds a [[https://media.contentapi.ea.com/content/dam/ea/need-for-speed-unbound/common/vol-3/speed-pass-page/nfs-vol3-sp-newcar-16x9.jpg.adapt.1456w.jpg glyph-patterned glow-in-the-dark Legendary Customs Dodge SRT Viper with a color-shifted turbofan front wheels and its turbocharge sticking out of the exhaust]]. Alongside the said Viper adds... hoo-boy... a [[ExaggeratedTrope ridiculously modified Mazda RX-7 with a ''[[Franchise/{{Gundam}}]]''-style body kit]]... and a Legendary Customs Ford Mustang with animated taillights and a body kit akin to the Aston Martin Victor. And a disco-style Volkswagen Golf GTI, too.
*** For those with EA Play subscription... behold, the [[https://traxion.gg/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Need-for-Speed-Unbound-Vol-3-EA-Play-Nissan-Skyline-1024x576.jpg Custom Nissan [=R32=] Skyline with a GT-R LM style body kit]]. The Pimped out part? Half of the bonnet is cut off, revealing its exposed engine.
* PlayEveryDay: In-Universe, and through an in-game calendar set in a span of 4 weeks. [[EpicRace The Grand]] is the ultimate challenge Lakeshore has to offer, with $1,000,000 as the grand prize. To do so, you must participate in a Qualifier event every first 3 Saturdays of the month in-game before being able to be invited to The Grand which is held on the fourth week, [[spoiler:in which Yaz holds keys to your souped-up junker used in the prologue.]]

* RewardsPass: The Vol 3 Update adds the so-called "Speed Pass" where you get free driving effects, underglows, clothes, [[VictoryPose winning poses]], etc., etc. All you gotta do is complete [[PlayEveryDay daily and weekly challenges]]. And the best part? It's '''free'''.

* CallBack: Once again, the '''BMW M3 GTR''' from ''Most Wanted'' makes another comeback. However, it is restricted to online only and you must be an EA Play member if you want your hands on this iconic car. [[spoiler:One of the High Heat Deliveries lets the player drive the BMW M3 GTR. Yaz says the client is someone calling themselves "The Blacklist", told Yaz that the car is under heavy police attention, and Yaz later finds out the client was just released from jail and the car was the first thing he wanted, the latter implying that it's Clarence "Razor" Callahan, especially with the player saying that they feel like they're "living on the razor's edge" due to the danger of these assignments.]]

* TheComputerIsACheatingBastard: The AI rubberbanding can be rather egregious on Intense difficulty. One example is [[https://youtu.be/QvVdj2joBAk a race]] against Music/AsapRocky, where he ends up building a 2 kilometer lead on the player who's driving a heavily upgraded Nissan GT-R and finishes a race in 3 minutes and 11 seconds. After a restart, Rocky manages to shave '''14 seconds''' for a race time of 2 minutes and 57 seconds.

* ApatheticCitizens: Averted. For the first time in an ''NFS'' game, this game introduces pedestrians, scattered around the urban areas of Lakeshore. They will dodge and run back when you attempt to run them over. [[WhatTheHellPlayer They'll also call you out for this]].

* CoolCar: Among the returning cars feom ''Heat'', there are more convertible variants of existing models, (including the Ford Mustang GT Convertible in its 2019 post-facelifted model), A$AP Rocky's Mercedes 190E as seen in the cover, and the Bugatti Chiron Sport, one of the hypercars that can battle with the likes of the Regera and the FXX-K Evo. Amongst the new cars of the 2020s, it adds the Lotus Emira and the Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 [[note]]The Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 also appeared in ''No Limits'', 4 months before ''Unbound's'' release.[[/note]], making their debuts in the franchise.

** The Vol 3 update adds a blast from the past; the [[Franchise/BackToTheFuture DMC [=DeLorean=]]]. Great Scott indeed. [[note]]This is not the first time the franchise adds a [=DeLorean=] as this car also appeared in ''No Limits'' as part of the Future Past update in December 2020.[[/note]]

** Vol 3 adds a glyph-patterned glow-in-the-dark Legendary Customs Dodge SRT Viper with a color-shifted turbofan front wheels. Alongside the said Viper adds... hoo-boy... a [[ExaggeratedTrope ridiculously modified Mazda RX-7 with a ''[[Franchise/{{Gundam}}]]''-style body kit]]... and a Legendary Customs Ford Mustang with animated taillights. And a disco-style Volkswagen Golf GTI, too.
* PlayEveryDay: In-Universe, and through an in-game calendar set in a span of 4 weeks. [[EpicRace The Grand]] is the ultimate challenge Lakeshore has to offer, with $1,000,000 as the grand prize. To do so, you must participate in a Qualifier event every first 3 Saturdays of the month in-game before being able to be invited to The Grand which is held on the fourth week, [[spoiler:in which Yaz holds keys to your souped-up junker used in the prologue.]]

* RewardsPass: The Vol 3 Update adds the so-called "Speed Pass" where you get free driving effects, underglows, clothes, winning poses, etc., etc. All you gotta do is complete [[PlayEveryDay daily and weekly challenges]]. And the best part? It's '''free'''.

* SocializationBonus: Vol 3 adds Linkups for Lakeshore Online, where you work together with other players in completing stunts and other activities for rewards. Take it as [[VideoGame/BurnoutParadise Freeburn Challenges]] with cops.

** The Vol 3 update adds a blast from the past; the [[Franchise/BackToTheFuture DMC [=DeLorean=]]].

* RewardsPass: The Vol 3 Update adds the so-called "Speed Pass" where you get free driving effects, underglows, clothes, etc., etc. All you gotta do is complete [[PlayEveryDay daily and weekly challenges]]. And the best part? It's '''free'''.