2027’s Most Exciting Racing Game Revives a Forgotten PS2 Classic

12 Jun at 12:55 Comment Views: 11

Polygon
Summer Game Fest 2026
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Saber Interactive is breathing new life into the beloved 2000s Stuntman franchise with a blockbuster makeover: Stuntman: Hollywood. This reboot trades generic settings for high-octane sequences inspired by iconic Universal Pictures film properties. As a precision driver, you’ll step into the shoes of a cinematic stunt professional, recreating legendary action beats from cinematic heavyweights like The Fast and the Furious, Back to the Future, and Knight Rider. It is, quite frankly, a masterclass in utilizing established intellectual property.

However, after going hands-on with Stuntman: Hollywood at Summer Game Fest, I found the actual gameplay experience a bit uneven. That said, the foundation is undeniably promising, and I’m rooting for the developers to refine these mechanics before the final release.

The demo featured five distinct levels, offering a brief, high-stakes look at the game’s mechanics. I tackled segments inspired by the original Fast & Furious—including a heart-pounding sequence where I had to outrun a speeding train—and a nostalgic Back to the Future level that captures that desperate moment when Marty McFly evades Libyan militants.

Each mission drops you at the starting line—whether you’re behind the wheel of Brian O’Conner’s iconic 1994 Toyota Supra or Doc Brown’s legendary DeLorean—with minimal intel on the chaos ahead. Instead, the director barks orders in real-time, demanding precise drifts, hair-raising near-misses, and explosive obstacle navigation. Drifting is a constant requirement, though it didn’t always feel entirely natural. The real thrill lies in the grading system, which evaluates your precision on the fly; nailing a series of complex, scene-stealing maneuvers is genuinely rewarding.

While missing a cue is punishing, the game thankfully rectifies the long-standing complaints about the series’ notorious load times. Retrying a segment or jumping back from a checkpoint is seamless, which is essential given that you’ll be repeating runs to achieve perfection. Much like the classic Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series, your engagement will hinge on your desire to master every turn and stunt through constant iteration.

There is a peculiar dissonance when blending these specific film licenses with the game’s logic. For instance, while the Back to the Future segment nails the visual aesthetic, facing off against an endless fleet of Volkswagen buses instead of a single vehicle feels a bit outlandish. Players should definitely prepare to embrace the absurdity of a movie set run amok.

My highlight, however, was the level based on the 1974 disaster epic, Earthquake. The objective is to survive as the ground literally crumbles beneath you in Los Angeles. It captured the frantic energy of the source material perfectly, delivering an intense, white-knuckle experience that felt like the absolute best use of the Stuntman concept.

With plenty of content left to discover—including hints of the classic “Odd Jobs” mode and additional licenses like Miami Vice and Death Race—I’m curious to see how the final product shapes up. Stuntman: Hollywood is slated for release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC, though a formal release date has yet to be shared.