Saber Interactive is bringing back the beloved but notoriously difficult concept of the original Stuntman with Stuntman: Hollywood, a title that promises to deliver the excitement of performing movie stunts without the extreme demands that made its predecessor a steep challenge. The upcoming game, slated for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, aims to strike a better balance between authentic stunt simulation and player enjoyment.
The original Stuntman, released in 2002 for the PlayStation 2, presented players with a compelling concept: driving stunt vehicles in Hollywood movie scenes. However, its unforgiving nature and requirement for absolute precision often detracted from the fun, demanding perfection that many found insurmountable. Stuntman: Hollywood appears to directly address this feedback, offering a more forgiving experience while still encouraging skilled play.
During a preview at Gamescom, four levels of Stuntman: Hollywood were made available, including a recently revealed Jurassic World-themed stage. Across these levels, the core gameplay loop involves players following the directions of a director, conveyed through both voice commands and on-screen indicators. These cues prompt actions such as drifting, precise maneuvering near obstacles, and hitting ramps. While the initial run through a level can feel frantic and overwhelming as players react to the barrage of instructions, successfully completing sequences offers a distinct sense of accomplishment. The preview indicated that replaying levels after achieving an initial success was a particularly enjoyable aspect of the game.
Environments ranged from urban settings in city-based levels to a collapsing factory during an earthquake. The Jurassic World level featured a motorcycle chase with dinosaurs running alongside, including a notable moment of ramp-jumping over a Tyrannosaurus rex. While acknowledging the unlikelihood of actual dinosaurs appearing on a film set during production, the inclusion was embraced for its sheer entertainment value within the game's context. The level also featured a fast-paced, percussive remix of the classic Jurassic Park theme, which, despite its unusual nature, effectively complemented the on-screen action.
Stuntman: Hollywood seems to have found a more accessible footing for the franchise, potentially appealing to both players seeking to perfect every stunt and those who simply want to experience a hyperbolic simulation of being a stunt driver. The game is developed by Saber Interactive and will be published by Saber Interactive.