2024 is shaping as much as be one of the crucial thrilling years in Want for Pace historical past, with a number of quantity updates dropping each quarter for the franchise’s newest Unbound title.
All of it kicked off in February with Vol. 6 – the primary of 4 deliberate all through 2024 – which not solely welcomed the return of Audi to Want for Pace, but additionally the launched of a devoted PvP mode to take multiplayer gaming to the following stage.
Then, three months later in Might, Vol. 7 dropped. Freshly impressed by an previous Speedhunters favorite – NFS Underground – Vol. 7 reintroduced drag and drift modes together with improved driving physics, legend customs, and even two badass Speedhunters customs.
In order we close to the tip of August, it’s time to launch one other quantity for Unbound. As soon as once more, it’s an absolute banger with greater than a sprinkling of Sizzling Pursuit…
Welcome to Unbound Vol. 8 Cops vs. Racers. As that helpful title suggests, this newest quantity sees the reintroduction of a ‘Sizzling Pursuit’ mode, pitting you head-to-head in opposition to the pesky police. However be warned, they’re again badder than ever earlier than.
This isn’t a one-sided affair, both. Cops vs. Racers allows you to play on both group as much as 4 vs. 4 with the racers attempting to flee, and the cops attempting to cease ‘em. The police have to seize all 4 racers to win, whereas the racers solely want one automobile to achieve the chequered flag.
One of many massive options added to this quantity is the reintroduction of pursuit tech for these enjoying as cops. These embody deployable spikes which span the width of the street, an engine-disabling EMP (electro-magnetic pulse), and even a full riot-spec, ESF battering ram.
What’s extra, there’s even police customisation within the type of LED gentle bars, bull bars and pre-made message boards. Oh, and a super-cool signature-style VFX, which makes use of LED trails to create bespoke messages for rivals.
What in regards to the automobiles? Properly, as soon as once more there are two new rides becoming a member of the fleet in Vol. 8 – the bonkers 1,972hp Lotus Evija (which comes free with the Pace Cross), and the endlessly cool Porsche 959 S, which is unlocked utilizing the Premium Pace Cross.
Talking of Pace Passes, 45 free tiers are added with Vol. 8, which incorporates the 2023 Evija, its bodykits and uncommon customized, whereas the Premium Pace Cross provides one other 30 tiers to unlock together with 9 distinctive Cop Customs (a few of that are unlocked by way of Cop Profession). The ‘Racer League’ has been refreshed and – identical to earlier volumes – so has the PvP playlists too.
What in regards to the Customs? You’ll all be glad to know that Cops vs. Racers boasts essentially the most extra Customs from a quantity but; two Speedhunters ones, two NFS Legends, and a number of different Cop Customs. Clearly, we’re massively biased, however the two Speedhunters Customs may simply be among the finest but, so let’s take a more in-depth look…
For the Lotus Evija, we’ve opted for a extra ‘conventional’ JDM-inspired road racer vibe, which is strictly why you’ll see it sitting on Work CR Kai wheels. It additionally has motorsport-inspired aero together with a shin-smashing entrance splitter and a monster APR GT rear wing.
Reality be advised, it’s such a bonkers-looking automobile an entire overhaul felt pointless. However that didn’t cease us having some enjoyable with the livery, one which not solely attracts inspiration from the unique Sizzling Pursuit 2010 cowl artwork, but additionally Fredric Aasbø’s GT86 drift automobile, initially designed by Andy Blackmore again in 2012. Think about it a nod to Speedhunters’ previous whereas nonetheless remaining present by 2024 requirements.
And the Porsche 959 S? That factor is fully psychological in the very best approach. You may thank the inventive genius that’s Bryn Alban for the majority of this – particularly the bodykit, which takes inspiration from the 935/78 ‘Moby Dick’ and 961 race automobile from 1986; the solely 959-derived Porsche ever to go racing.
You may’t say widebody Porsche race automobile with out mentioning BBS wheels, so this Speedhunters customized now sits on basic 3-piece BBS RSs with customized turbofans up entrance. You may also discover a bit of addition to reference the kind of snack loved by sure regulation enforcement…
All of that is wrapped along with a standard black/whereas police livery that – once you look a bit of nearer – isn’t simply black, however absolutely carbon too. As cop automobiles go, it’s undoubtedly one of many coolest ever created within the (digital) world. However what may shock you is the truth that, even in the true world, there’s been some severely wild automobiles utilized by police in varied international locations. Assume Bugatti, Lamborghini and way more – we’ll deliver you a full story on that very quickly.
Just like the volumes earlier than it, Vol. 8 – Cops vs. Racers is offered to obtain and play proper now with the elective Premium Pace Cross offering one other 30 tiers of upgrades to unlock. We haven’t even talked about the NFS Legend automobiles corresponding to Sergeant Cross’s C6 Corvette which first appeared in 2005’s Most Wished…
And if – after three big quantity updates – you’re nonetheless demanding extra from Unbound, there’s one ultimate quantity to drop later this yr, which could even be essentially the most badass but. We’ll deliver you unique information as quickly as we’ve it.
The Speedhunters
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