The Stuntman series is making a comeback after almost two decades of dormancy, and it's an exciting development for gaming enthusiasts. The original Stuntman, released in 2002, was a cult favorite that put players behind the wheel of Hollywood-style car chases and stunts. It was developed by Reflections Interactive, a studio known for its racing and driving games like Driver and Destruction Derby. The game's premise was simple yet captivating: players took on the role of professional stunt drivers, performing high-octane stunts and navigating through various film sets and locations. What made Stuntman unique was its focus on realistic handling and physics, allowing players to experience the thrill of driving and performing stunts with precision and skill. The game's career mode featured a range of film-inspired levels, including a Guy Ritchie-inspired London crime caper, off-brand Indiana Jones and James Bond films, and a clear riff on The Dukes of Hazzard. Outside of these structured levels, players could also experiment with the game's construction mode, building and performing their own freestyle stunts. The sequel, Stuntman: Ignition, was released in 2007 but underperformed commercially, leading to the series' hiatus. Now, thanks to the efforts of MudRunner and SnowRunner publisher Saber Interactive, the Stuntman series is being resurrected with a new entry, Stuntman: Hollywood. The game is currently in development for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, and it's being injected with real movies and TV shows for the first time, thanks to a partnership with Universal Pictures. The trailer for Stuntman: Hollywood reveals a range of cars from iconic films and TV shows, including Brian O'Conner's rides from The Fast and the Furious and 2 Fast 2 Furious, the armored Mustang from Death Race, and the massive tanker truck from the same film. The game also features legitimate models like K.I.T.T. from Knight Rider and the Time Machine from Back to the Future. The return of Stuntman is exciting for several reasons. Firstly, it's a chance to revisit a classic game that was ahead of its time in terms of its handling model and physics. The original Stuntman was known for its high level of difficulty, requiring players to nail stunts in a single take, which added to its cult status. Secondly, the partnership with Universal Pictures opens up new possibilities for the game, allowing players to experience the thrill of driving and performing stunts in iconic film settings. However, there are also some concerns about the game's potential underperformance, as the original Stuntman: Ignition did not fare well commercially. Nevertheless, the return of Stuntman is a welcome development for gaming enthusiasts, offering a chance to revisit a classic series and experience the thrill of Hollywood-style car chases and stunts once again.
