Need for Speed Unboundtakes gamers to Lakeshore City where they can drive the fastest cars and spark the ire of police enforcement. It takes a while to get to the top, and along the way, players learn about a lot of characters, including Rydell. There is evidence that Rydell is suffering from depression and emotional issues, thoughNeed for Speed Unbounddoesn’t treat it with the seriousness it deserves.
Gamers likely don’t expect much in-depth social commentary fromarcade racer games. Nevertheless,Unboundbrings the issue up, then proceeds to make light of it. This is arguably more harmful than if it had never been brought up at all.
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Rydell’s Down Days in Unbound
Need for Speed Unboundfeatures Rydell, a man with an undying love for cars and street racing culture. He owns a garage that caters to some of the flashiest rides in Lakeshore. It took a long time for Rydell to build up the auto shop, Rydell’s Rydes, and he is very proud of it. When things take a turn for the worst, it seems like everything he has worked for his whole life has been thrown down the drain.
On an unexpected evening, Rydell’s garage is robbed and all his cars are taken. At first, he has no idea who targeted him and why, although the events behind the robbery are revealed later on. Players immerse themselves in the world of street racing to earn cash tobuild Rydell’s garage back upand find those responsible for the terrible crime.
Rydell’s Depression Is Undermined
Not unexpectedly, Rydell is devastated by the robbery. It affects him on a financial and emotional level. Evidence of this is seen in a book that players find in the garage. It is titled “Why Am I Always Crying?” and it indicates that Rydell’s issues are far more than surface-level. Furthermore, it suggests that Rydell’s emotional issues may be a lifelong problem beginning before the robbery.
Rather than take this discovery seriously, both the player and the other characters seem to treat it like a joke. Rydell is mocked for having such a book, which is an unsympathetic reaction for a friend to have. The issue stands out more because Rydell is male, and due tostereotypical gender roles, men are typically shamed for crying. Rydell is seemingly aware of this, as he is extremely defensive when the book is discovered. Rather than subverting or problematizing this dangerous notion, the game appears to instead lean into it and offers no counter-argument.
Social Issues in Need for Speed Unbound
Gamers typically don’t turn toNeed for Speedfor social commentary and deep interrogations of contemporary issues. Nevertheless, the game proves that it is capable of delicately and admirably dealing with such topics. This is seen withJusticia, a gender non-conforming characterthat is positively represented. Disappointingly, in this way, it demonstrates that it is capable of questioning societal gender norms. However, when it comes to Rydell and his depression, this sensitivity and insightfulness seem to disappear entirely, and a male’s depression is undermined.
This alone should not deter gamers fromUnboundaltogether, as it is a game that captures some of the excitement that characterizedtitles likeNeed for Speed: Most Wanted. Nevertheless, this is an area the game could have done better in. Depression is not a joke, and friends should take such issues seriously when they manifest.
Need for Speed Unboundis available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
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