Fast forward to the Game Awards 2024, when Milestone surprised fans by announcing a new Screamer, a full reimagining of the classic series. We finally got our first hands-on experience at GamesCom 2025.
Narrative Focus and Visual Style
According to Game Director Federico Cardini, Screamer’s focus is not just on the cars, but on the drivers themselves. Each vehicle is intrinsically linked to a specific character, and these characters are fully realized protagonists with their own story arcs. Milestone collaborated with Polygon Pictures, a renowned Japanese animation studio, to craft cinematic cutscenes that enhance the game’s narrative depth.
The story revolves around an underground racing tournament organized by a mysterious figure—rumored to be the character voiced by Troy Baker—featuring rival teams such as Green Reapers and Strike Force Romanda. The races unfold in a sci-fi world inspired by ‘80s and ‘90s anime and manga, with diverse tracks and environments that complement the story.
Characters like Roisin, an assassin in Hiroshi’s team, illustrate the depth of this world. Her “freckles” are actually small tattoos, each representing a life she has taken. Many drivers are soldiers first, participating in races for specific, often personal reasons. Vehicles also reflect this mix of narrative and design: some, like Hiroshi’s, appear “handcrafted” with parts assembled from salvaged materials.
Cars and Tracks
Screamer’s cars take inspiration from real-world models, with nods to Honda NSX and Nissan Skyline. Each car handles differently, and the accompanying soundtrack enhances the overall racing experience.
Tracks vary not only in layout—favoring certain cars over others—but also in visual style. The Unreal Engine 5-powered 3D anime aesthetic shines in neon-lit city circuits, though some environments, like the industrial desert of Assembly Site B, appear less dynamic. Character design, while not groundbreaking, effectively conveys personality and works well within the racing context.
Racing Meets Combat
Gameplay in the new Screamer blends arcade-style racing with layered mechanics far more sophisticated than the original 1995 title. Initially, the numerous systems may feel overwhelming, but Milestone intends to introduce them progressively through the story rather than via a traditional tutorial.
A key feature is the twin-stick control system: the left analog stick steers, while the right stick is dedicated to drifting. Mastering this system allows for more precise cornering, combining drifts and braking to optimize racing lines.
Central to the gameplay is the Echo system, represented by a two-part energy bar: the green Sync section fills automatically during races and can also be increased through player actions like Active Shift. Using a portion of Sync grants a Boost, which temporarily accelerates the car; timing it perfectly extends its duration. Spent Sync energy converts into the purple Entropy bar, unlocking combat-style mechanics reminiscent of classic fighting games.
Entropy energy allows players to deploy shields, execute Strikes, or activate Overdrive—a state of extreme acceleration that turns a car into a projectile capable of knocking competitors aside. Individual drivers also possess unique abilities, such as Hiroshi’s extra Boost, adding another layer of strategy.
