Stuntboost, a game tagged as a fast-paced, 3D platformer with parkour, first-person, and racing elements, has become the unexpected favorite game of 2026 for one critic. Despite its toy-like aesthetic of fingerboards and cardboard circuits, the game quickly reveals its true nature as a demanding test of precision camera control and first-person platforming.
The core gameplay loop revolves around gaining and maintaining speed with a simple three-button control scheme: jump, crouch, and grind. Many of Stuntboost's over 40 levels function as non-linear obstacle courses that encourage players to discover their own paths and hunt for shortcuts, a design choice actively supported by the developers. This focus on movement and exploration has led to an obsessive gameplay experience, with players replaying tracks to shave off seconds and climb friend leaderboards.
Stuntboost distinguishes itself with robust quality-of-life features often absent in larger budget titles. Information about a track is revealed progressively; player times are hidden until a track is completed, and global leaderboards are locked until the diamond medal is achieved. The game automatically displays the player's best time as a ghost, with options to enable ghosts of friends or other leaderboard competitors. Furthermore, players can watch any leaderboard participant's replay, provided they have discovered the same shortcuts, a feature that prevents spoilers and incentivizes exploration.
While the game initially features skateboards, later worlds introduce variety with car levels emphasizing drifting, free-roam scooter levels with collectible S-K-A-T-E challenges, and even a longboard that cannot jump. The car levels, in particular, force a reevaluation of control and movement, offering unique drifting mechanics.
The game includes hidden tapes that unlock a free-cam mode for scouting and contribute to unlocking bonus levels. These include a challenging tower gauntlet, a full game speedrun mode, board customizations, and a daily challenge, all of which add significant replayability. The game is available on Steam for $7 and has garnered a "Very Positive" rating from 253 reviews, a modest reception that the author believes belies its depth and quality.