An unreleased PlayStation 2 game based on the Marvel Comics character Daredevil has been leaked online.
Daredevil: The Man Without Fear was in development for thePS2,XboxandPCbut was ultimately cancelled because Marvel refused to approve it.
However, the near-complete prototype has now been made available on theHidden Palacesite, and modified so that players can try it on an emulator or PS2 hardware (if they have the means to do so).
According to the site’shistory of the game, Daredevil: The Man Without Fear was going to feature an original story in which the Kingpin has been killed, leading to rival gangs competing in an attempt to take over the city.
Playing as Daredevil, players had to fight gang members while grappling walls and using a special ‘Shadow World’ technique that let them view heat sources.
It’s said that the game originally started with a modest budget, but this was increased when it emerged thatSonyPictures was making a Daredevil movie in 2003.
However, developer 5000 Ft reportedly found itself stuck betweenPlayStationand Marvel, who each had very different idea of what they wanted the game to be like.
It’s claimed that Sony wanted the game to feature a beat ’em up combat system and a grinding mechanic similar to the Tony Hawk games, something the studio reluctantly added.
However, Marvel reportedly refused to approve the game due to Sony’s changes, which had made the final product very different to what had originally been pitched to Marvel in the first place.
Ultimately, the game was scrapped, with only a separate Daredevil game releasing on the Game Boy Advance instead.
