Unbound is a good Need for Speed game. It has a really cool visual style and distinct identity. Most importantly, the handling is good and responsive which makes it fun to play.

The more hours I played, I did have several nitpicks. The gameplay loop gets repetitive and there isn't much variety in event types or race routes. About halfway through the story mode, it really starts to feel like a grind. The cops play a major role in the gameplay and their presence is excessive at times. It's a Need for Speed game, so it's somewhat expected, but I'd like to see the next game take things in a different direction.

For a modern open world racing game, there are certain quality of life features missing like fast travel to events, rewinds, and an optional racing line. Fortunately, Unbound has three difficulty modes. While I didn't have too much trouble or frustration on Relaxed (easy) mode, it's one of the most challenging "easy" modes I can recall. The game is not very forgiving and one little mistake can cost you a race and force you to restart.

All that said, I still liked the game. The customization is great, and there are a lot of optional challenges and scavenger hunts in the open world if you feel inclined. Unbound is a step in the right direction and a strong foundation to build on going forward.