Stuntman (video game)

Stuntman is a series of action driving video games developed by Reflections Interactive and published by Atari. The original game, Stuntman, was released in 2002 for the PlayStation 2, with later ports to other platforms. A sequel, Stuntman: Ignition, was released in 2007 for PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC.

The core gameplay of both Stuntman titles revolves around the player taking on the role of a Hollywood stuntman. The player must successfully complete a series of increasingly challenging stunts on various fictional movie sets. Gameplay involves driving vehicles, performing jumps, crashes, and other maneuvers as directed by the film's director through on-screen prompts.

The games are notable for their emphasis on precision and timing. Players are judged on their ability to execute stunts flawlessly, with rewards given for accurate performance and penalties incurred for mistakes. The games feature a replay editor, allowing players to review and edit their stunt sequences. A major component of the gameplay is the "Stunt Rating" system which judges a player's stunt work based on accuracy, speed, and adherence to the director's instructions. Successful performances unlock new vehicles, film sets, and movies.

Stuntman: Ignition expands on the original game by adding more vehicles, stunts, and environments. It also introduces a multiplayer mode, allowing players to compete against each other in stunt challenges. While the original Stuntman focused on completing stunt sequences within a set time, Stuntman: Ignition introduced a more open-ended "Career" mode, allowing players to choose which films they want to work on.

The Stuntman series is generally regarded as challenging due to its demanding gameplay and reliance on precise timing. The games garnered a mixed reception, praised for their innovative concept and gameplay mechanics, but criticized for their difficulty and sometimes unforgiving nature.