Milestone’s Screamer: A Nostalgic Return to Arcade Racing

The 1990s were a golden age for arcade racing games, with titles like Ridge Racer (1993) and Daytona USA (1994) captivating players. Amidst this competitive landscape, Italian studio Graffiti (later becoming Milestone) released Screamer for PC in 1995. Now, Milestone is revisiting its arcade racing roots with a modern revival of Screamer.

From Arcade Roots to Modern Racing Games

Milestone’s journey began with Screamer, a game clearly inspired by Ridge Racer, yet possessing its own distinct identity. Over time, Milestone became known for titles like Ride, MotoGP, and World Superbike Championship. Yet, the studio’s origins lie in the arcade racing segment, a foundation they now revisit with this Screamer reboot. Milestone has previously demonstrated success in the arcade racing genre with titles like Gravel (2018) and Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged (2023).

A Story-Driven Arcade Racer

Screamer distinguishes itself from many arcade racers with its narrative focus. Set in the near future, the game’s campaign, “The Tournament,” centers around illegal street races organized by the enigmatic Mr. A (voiced by Troy Baker). Players can choose to compete as one of five teams: Strike Force Romanda (a Japanese pop star group), Anaconda Corp. (a team linked to a weapons and cybersecurity firm), Kagawa-Kai (a criminal organization), and two others.

The story unfolds through a combination of anime cutscenes created by Polygon Pictures and text-based dialogues reminiscent of Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs). While the anime sequences are visually impressive, the dialogue-heavy presentation can feel static and unhurried the pace of the game.

Gameplay and Challenges

The campaign is extensive, featuring numerous races with varying objectives. However, the game’s difficulty can be uneven, with sudden shifts between easy and extremely challenging races. This inconsistency can be frustrating, requiring numerous attempts to overcome certain obstacles.

Beyond the campaign, Screamer offers a variety of game modes, including Standard Races, Team Races, Time Attacks, Checkpoints, Score Challenges, Overdrive Challenges, and Multiplayer modes like Mixtape, Ranked, Team Race, and Local Split Screen for up to four players. The game features 32 tracks across four distinct areas: Neo Rey, Sky Road, Forest #13, and a secret, unlockable area.

Unique Control Scheme and Echo System

Screamer introduces a unique control scheme utilizing both joysticks on the controller – the left stick for steering and the right stick for drifting. Mastering this dual-joystick system is crucial, as the cars are heavy and require skillful drifting to navigate effectively.

Central to success in Screamer is the “Echo System.” The game features a semi-automatic gearbox, requiring players to shift gears at the optimal moment to fill the Boost meter. Boost can be used for a short burst of speed or, when timed correctly, a more powerful, extended boost. The Echo System also powers a shield and a “Strike” attack, which can disable opponents. Effective use of the Echo System is essential for competitive racing.

Customization and Visuals

Players can customize their cars with cosmetic upgrades like rims, doors, hoods, lights, and spoilers. However, there are no performance upgrades available, making customization purely aesthetic. The cars themselves are fictional designs inspired by real-world vehicles.

Visually, Screamer adopts an anime-inspired style with vibrant colors and dynamic typography. While the aesthetic aligns with the game’s arcade roots, the image quality can sometimes suffer during intense moments with a lot of on-screen action. The game’s soundtrack is energetic, and the voice acting is well-executed, with characters speaking in multiple languages (English, French, Italian, German, Japanese, and others).

A Mixed Bag of Arcade Racing

Screamer presents a unique blend of swift-paced arcade racing, a substantial story campaign, and complex gameplay systems. However, the uneven difficulty, “rubber banding” (where opponents seem to catch up regardless of player skill), and the demanding Echo System can detract from the experience. While not a lousy game, Screamer attempts to do too much, potentially diluting the pure joy of arcade racing.