Screamer game review: Fast neon fun
This anime-styled reboot blends Ridge Racer thrills with complex mechanics and heavy storytelling
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Since releasing the original Screamer back in 1995, Milan-based developer Milestone has rarely strayed from the racing lane, building a formidable reputation across series such as MotoGP, WRC and Ride. This reboot is set within a striking anime-inspired world into which a globe-spanning cast of combative personalities and a roster of colourful, fast vehicles are introduced. The racing takes place in Neo Rey, a dazzling neon-drenched metropolis that feels tailor-made for high-speed duels. Drawing clear inspiration from 1990s arcade classics such as Ridge Racer and Wipeout, the handling centres on tight steering and a crucial drifting mechanic mapped to the right stick. On top of that are manual gear changes, boost, shield and attack systems, making this a far more demanding experience than it first appears.
That complexity comes at a cost. The game takes its time introducing each mechanic through a long sequence of tutorial races; even then, the learning curve remains steep. Momentum is further interrupted by frequent cutscenes. While some are impressively animated, much of the story is delivered in a static visual-novel format. The multilingual voice work adds flavour but these sequences often feel like obstacles between the player and the next race. Alongside the narrative-driven tournament mode, there are various offline and online race options, and the usual choice to customise rides. This reboot is at its best when letting you focus on the road. It’s just a shame it doesn’t always trust that to be enough.
Screamer is out now on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.