How to Outsmart the Cops in Need for Speed Unbound: A Pro’s Guide

Avoiding the relentless pursuit of the Lakeshore City Police Department (LCPD) in Need for Speed Unbound is a crucial skill for any aspiring street racer. Success hinges on a combination of smart driving, strategic vehicle choices, understanding the game’s mechanics, and a bit of calculated risk-taking. Here’s the lowdown on how to leave those pesky cops eating your dust:

Core Strategies for Evasion:

• Stealth is Your Friend: Unlike some other NFS titles that prioritize all-out aggression, Unbound rewards a more measured approach. Before escalating a pursuit, consider downshifting and switching off your engine briefly to reduce your visibility. Auxiliary gadgets, like tire inflators or repair kits, can provide you with extra “spot time” by slowing the pursuit if deployed strategically.

• Minimap Mastery: The minimap is your most valuable tool for evading the police. It displays the vision cones of patrolling units. Staying outside these cones is crucial for avoiding detection. Pay close attention to the map and anticipate patrol patterns. Use it to plan routes that minimize exposure.

• Ramp It Up: Those conveniently placed ramps scattered throughout Lakeshore City aren’t there for scenic jumps. They’re escape routes! Building speed and hitting a ramp at the right angle can launch you to safety, breaking line of sight with pursuing units. Keep an eye out for these opportunities.

• Chaos as a Distraction: Sometimes, a little anarchy goes a long way. Cops can be tricked into making mistakes. Weaving through heavy traffic, smashing through destructible environments, or utilizing jumps and shortcuts can disorient them and provide you with the crucial advantage. Creating chaos can open up an avenue of escape when things look bleak.

• Strategic Navigation: Don’t blindly follow GPS directions, particularly when your Heat level is high. The game tends to spawn additional police units along GPS routes. Instead, memorize the city layout and plan your own routes to your safehouse or meetup spot. Going offroad, especially near the marina or industrial areas, can provide cover, as cops patrol these areas less frequently.

• Safehouse Sanity: The safest and most reliable way to lower your Heat level is by reaching a safehouse. After each session, make it your priority to visit a safehouse and reset your Heat to zero. This approach helps avoid excessive police attention when free-roaming.

• Upgrade Your Ride: Equipping performance parts to improve the top speed of your cars is a definite advantage when running from the police. A fast car that can hold its own against the aggressive pursuit of police cars.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Evading Cops in NFS Unbound

How do I lower my Heat level in Need for Speed Unbound?

The quickest and safest method is to reach a safehouse. Successfully escaping pursuits also gradually lowers your Heat level, but this is a riskier approach.

What happens if I get caught by the cops?

If you get busted, you lose a portion of your Bank, the in-game currency that you’re carrying at the time of the arrest. Cops take a cut of your earnings if they catch you, so be careful.

Can I lose my cars in Need for Speed Unbound?

No, unlike some previous NFS games, your cars cannot be impounded or permanently taken away in Unbound.

Does the game spawn more cops if I use the GPS?

Yes, using the GPS, especially with a high Heat level, often triggers the game to spawn more police units along your route. Try to use a GPS as a last resort, but if you must, choose the best upgrades for your car so you can handle a chase with more cops.

What is the best car for escaping the police?

This depends on your playstyle and the Tier you’re racing in. High-performance cars with good handling, such as the Ferrari LaFerrari, McLaren P1, or Koenigsegg Regera, can be an advantage. Speed and maneuverability are key!

How does Heat level affect police chases?

Higher Heat levels result in more aggressive police pursuit, with more units, roadblocks, and more tactical maneuvers deployed against you.

Can I play as a cop in Need for Speed Unbound?

No, Need for Speed Unbound does not feature a playable cop career. The only game in the series to offer this feature is Need for Speed Rivals.

What are the green circles on the map?

These indicate the location of collectibles such as billboards, street art, and balloons. While they don’t directly help you evade the police, collecting them can earn you extra cash to upgrade your ride or pay off fines if you get caught.

How big is the map in Need for Speed Unbound?

The map size is approximately 49-50 square kilometers.

What difficulty setting makes evading cops easier?

The Relaxed (Easy) difficulty setting reduces the aggressiveness of the cops and makes your vehicle more resilient to damage, making it easier to evade pursuit.

Can I customize my car to make it better at evading cops?

Yes! Improving acceleration, top speed, and handling through performance upgrades will significantly enhance your chances of outrunning the police.

What are some good off-road escape routes?

The areas around the marina and some industrial sections of Lakeshore City often have less police patrol and can be useful for breaking line of sight or losing pursuers.

How much money can I make by destroying billboards?

Smashing billboards earns you a quick $250, as does finding and breaking Bears or uncovering street art.

Are there any specific skills or perks that help with police evasion?

While there are no explicit skills or perks tied directly to police evasion, mastering driving techniques like drifting, cornering, and using nitrous effectively will improve your overall driving skills and make it easier to outmaneuver the cops.

Where can I learn more about the mechanics of Need for Speed games?

For a deep dive into the learning potential of games, visit the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

Mastering the art of evasion in Need for Speed Unbound requires a combination of strategy, skill, and a little bit of luck. By understanding the game’s mechanics, planning your routes carefully, and making smart choices, you can keep the LCPD in your rearview mirror and become a true legend of Lakeshore City. Good luck, and happy racing!