Screamer
Top Critic Average
Critics Recommend
Critic Reviews for Screamer
An immaculately presented arcade racer with a thousand good ideas, but the twin-stick drifting wasn't one of them.
Tedious characters and difficulty spikes notwithstanding, Screamer is a unique and confidently assembled racer that feels like the result of locking Blur in a room for 12 months with nothing but a Crunchyroll subscription.
Screamer delivers a mix of fast thrills and neon-soaked worlds to create a unique experience.
Between the unique twin-stick handling, the risk-reward chaos of the Echo System, and a story that leans hard into its over-the-top anime inspirations, it manages to carve out an identity that feels both fresh and nostalgic. It’s not perfect, but it doesn’t need to be because when everything clicks during racing, Screamer is an absolute thrill to play. For anyone craving an arcade racer with personality and depth with a riveting storyline, this is one worth taking for a spin at full throttle.
Screamer is a refreshing racing game from an incredibly reliable studio. Milestone has taken a chance to do something different, and it has paid off as the anime-influenced story mode is a blast and the game looks fantastic. Playing just as impressively as its visuals, racing fans looking for something new will want to check this out.
The Tournament Mode is overly long with cutscenes that drag, and you may not find it to be as pleasingly accessible as the games it cribs inspiration from, but Screamer does its darnedest to impress, and it does so given the myriad of modes and how on point the presentation is. You'll certainly be screaming with approval when you get your hand on Screamer, just don't wake the neighbours.
Screamer is a bold and exciting arcade racing game that stands out from the pack. It takes some big swings, and most of them have worked out, save for a story that maybe outstays its welcome. The racing itself is unique and challenging, and once you have a handle on all its systems, it's very rewarding to master. With its stylish presentation on top, this is one racer very much in its own lane.
