Screamer - 26 March 2026

  • Thread starter Thread starter sirjim73
  • 41 comments
  • 2,913 views
sirjim73

sirjim73

The Oracle
Premium
Messages
5,476
England
Reading
Messages
cutback73
Messages
cutback73
With it being close to release date, I feel this needs it's own thread.

£59.99 or £69.99 for the Deluxe edition.
It's also Xbox Play Anywhere which is good news.

A gameplay trailer came out last week.
4 player split screen! 3 lap time trials, multiple MP modes and much more besides.

This might actually be a cracker if they don't screw up the launch, though Milestone don't seem to have a history of poor launches.

 
Last edited:
This looks an utter mess. They had the chance to reimagine a classic game, maybe bring in an Rage Racer/R4-style upgrading system in a championship event to bring in some longevity, but instead we have something which akin to an episode of Monkey Dust with the rebranding agency:

'We need to create a new racing game, what name shall we give it?'
Looks through a list of old games 'What about Screamer?'
'But that's an old game.'
'Yeah but the kids won't know that and the old guys will get retro.'
'How do we make it then?'
'UE5 engine?' **
'Perfect! What game features shall we have?'
'Well Burnout sold well, so we'll have takedowns.'
'Love it! What else?'
'Well the kids love Mario Kart, so we'll have power ups.'
'Now we're cooking, what else?'
'Well, people love a story, NFS Heat sold well.'
'Cool, keep going.'
'Well, NFS Unbound kinda looked good...'
'Hell yeah, we'll have that! Keep going that man.'
'..... Erm, well... I don't know. We've got these bunch of ideas we could try out, just choose one.'
'One?! Are you mad? We'll have them all! Don't forget to make it anime, kids love cartoons!'

Fade back through gauss

Possibly one of the only innovative features is the split-screen multiplayer which I hope more studios implement. Maybe I'm looking at through rose-tinted glasses but just give me a good old-fashioned arcade game. If there's a demo I will give it a try, but I don't have £60 to dump on a chance.

**UE5 Engine may or may not be true.
 
Last edited:
@DG_Silva Monkey Dust mention. 😁 Was this developed in Laaahnndunnn, or Essssiccckkks? 😂

As for being full price, there's no way I'd buy something this niche for more than £30, and ideally more like £15 in a generous sale. They just don't have the longevity.
 
Hoki'll be eating well tonight on the Milestone dollar (er, euro).

I'm not sure whether this strikes me as sixty quid gameplay. Hopefully the game has more content than Gravel.

Not sure about twin stick driving either. Looks like the devs can add Battlezone to their long list of influences.


(The Battlezone thing was a joke btw. I know it's supposed to be more like RedOut and Inertial Drift. Also the choice of location in my profile has nothing to do with Monkey Dust)
 
Last edited:
UKMikey
Hoki'll be eating well tonight on the Milestone dollar (er, euro).

I'm not sure whether this strikes me as sixty quid gameplay. Hopefully the game has more content than Gravel.

Not sure about twin stick driving either. Looks like the devs can add Battlezone to their long list of influences.


(The Battlezone thing was a joke btw. I know it's supposed to be more like RedOut and Inertial Drift. Also the choice of location in my profile has nothing to do with Monkey Dust)
Click to expand...


Niche reference at the end.
 
tomo 427 S/C
Was anyone else hoping for a Screamer 4x4 remake? Just me?
Oh well.
Click to expand...
Although Screamer 4x4 is official part of the Screamer franchise*, it was not developed by Graffiti/Milestone and has nothing to do with the other games. I liked Screamer 4x4, but the title is very bad chosen in my opinion, because of the complete different setting compared to the first three games.

I would guess, if there ever will be a Screamer 4x4 remake, it won't be called Screamer. Oh, wait, they already done something similar with the new Screamer, only inverted. :lol:

For me the spiritual successor of Screamer 4x4 ist the Spintires/Snowrunner Series. Not the same, of course, but similiar in some aspects.

I'm also disappointed by the new Screamer. It would be so cool, if they just had made a remake of the first game. The old tracks, with the old cars, maybe official licensed this time, just in new technology, with some new tracks and cars. Or a combined remake of Screamer 1+2. Now we get a complete different game.

*There is one inofficial game in the screamer franchise: In german-speaking countries the Screamer games where called "Bleifuss", the german word for leadfoot. And here a fifth game is part of the Screamer series, named "Bleifuss Fun". This 1997 game was marketed international as "Ignition" or "Fun Tracks" and developed by UDS. All these games where published by Virgin Interactive and probably they choose to put it into the "Bleifuss"-Brand on the german market.
 
Screamer 2026 is BY FAR my most anticipated game this year, I ADORE the vibes they are injecting into it, and the control scheme and mechanics genuinely excite me - it's about time we got a bloody unique arcade racer unlike anything before...and for that I've even gone and bought the collector's edition I'm that excited hahaha
 
Less than 2 weeks away until screamer releases! Can't wait to tear up the track...I'm surprised at the lack of buzz here though
 
I do now know that the screamer review embargo lifts own the 23rd, the same day as the early release date for the digital deluxe launch
 
The price point is the main dealbreaker for me right now. I'm curious how a twin-stick driving model is going to work, but I'm not really prepared to spend $60+ to find out. They should have put out a demo to let people get some hands-on experience first.
 
Last edited:
EngieDiesel
The price point is the main dealbreaker for me right now. I'm curious how a twin-stick driving model is going to work, but I'm not really prepared to spend $60+ to find out. They should have put out a demo to let people get some hands-on experience first.
Click to expand...
There is a game with a similar-ish control scheme by an indie devteam that might help get you acclimatized to it - and also has a free demo on pc(steam) - Inertial Drift, might be worth looking into!👍

Said control scheme did partially inspire Screamer's control scheme too! Though not directly (since some of the Devs knew of not, but the main people didn't at the time, it's funny how game ideas can converge though)
 
Last edited:
Release timing for the digital deluxe edition versions if it helps 👍
image0-3.webp
 
I really like the way it looks and seems really unique but I expect this game to flop massively. Not what I want for Milestone but simply a gutfeeling I have 🤷
 
Watched a few video's, but would need a demo to convince me. Not that excited by twin sticks and cut scenes, but really ready for a new driving game... I think wreckfest 2 will be the next thing I buy as I trust the franchise / developer.
 
Last edited:
It’s really encouraging to see Screamer getting positive attention, especially as something that feels like a return to that combat-heavy arcade racing vibe. There’s a certain energy to those kinds of games that’s been missing for years.

I won’t tell anyone when they should buy it, but I do think timing matters with games like this. We’ve all seen titles (like Blur, Split/Second and OnRush) that step outside the usual formula, actually deliver something fun and different, but don’t quite catch on at launch. Not because they’re bad, but because they don’t get that early push from players.

Then years later, people rediscover them, YouTubers start calling them hidden classics, and suddenly there’s this wave of appreciation that arrives far too late to really benefit the people who made it.

It would be great if Screamer avoided that cycle. If we want more bold, arcade-style racers instead of safe, predictable releases, supporting them when they come out is probably the clearest signal we can send. ;)
 
The game seems to be getting rave reviews from all the (usually) most reliable sources.
It's definitely jumped up my list @FT-1
My only concern is whether I can handle the dual stick dynamic as I'm so ingrained with left stick and triggers only now.
 
sirjim73
The game seems to be getting rave reviews from all the (usually) most reliable sources.
It's definitely jumped up my list @FT-1
My only concern is whether I can handle the dual stick dynamic as I'm so ingrained with left stick and triggers only now.
Click to expand...

Driving aid options are shown at 7:48 in the video above. If a player is struggling to get to grips with the handling, the steer/drift assist can help keep the car where it should be on the track.
 
FT-1
Driving aid options are shown at 7:48 in the video above. If a player is struggling to get to grips with the handling, the steer/drift assist can help keep the car where it should be on the track.
Click to expand...
That might be a saving grace, I was thinking it might be similar to red out 2 with too many elements to juggle at once (I never fully weened off using assists with that title). If this had a price point more like the hotwheels games I would be more tempted, it might be a marmite experience though. Watched some more videos and invariably the cars are bouncing off the walls wipeout style, hope the story is button press skippable that would be a deal breaker.
 
I am happy to see this is getting good reviews. I just don't see how this will work out for Milestone. The mechanics are way to deep for average Joe and players who do fiddle are more on the simside. The currentgen of players mostly look for a quick dab but Screamer is not that kind of game. Really difficult to see where it'll take Milestone. For the studio I hope it does well.

Pricepoint is way to high...I expected a 39,99 base and 49,99 Deluxe. Dualstick controls, while cool, way to time consuming to master and learn.

My mind isn't made up but as said, I sincerely hope it does well ✌️
 
The vibes of Sci-fi/cyberpunk anime like "Ghost in The Shell" or "Cyber City Oedo 008" with racing like old arcade games plus a little kinda like fighitng game mixed with hero shooter a là Overwatch for characters?
Well it's a ood mix, but seems interesting.
 
doblocruiser
I am happy to see this is getting good reviews. I just don't see how this will work out for Milestone. The mechanics are way to deep for average Joe and players who do fiddle are more on the simside. The currentgen of players mostly look for a quick dab but Screamer is not that kind of game. Really difficult to see where it'll take Milestone. For the studio I hope it does well.

Pricepoint is way to high...I expected a 39,99 base and 49,99 Deluxe. Dualstick controls, while cool, way to time consuming to master and learn.

My mind isn't made up but as said, I sincerely hope it does well ✌️
Click to expand...
Just curious as to why you would expect a fully fleshed out, full release game to be half the cost of a typical RRP for a fleshed out, full release game?

I disagree with the second sentence enormously though. People can have an interest in sim racing and still want a deep arcade experience as well, likewise, people can have no interest in sim racing and still want a deep arcade experience.

If anyone wants to try twin stick control cheaply before committing, inertial drift is a good place to start. It feels odd at first but it's surprisingly intuitive and I believe Screamer has an assist for it anyway.
 
Of course people can have interest in both but I would say it's not the majority. I didn't say they couldn't. As for the price, it's positioning of a new IP. I would expect a more entry based price to get the ip going. Now price with the mechanics are a hurdle 🤷
 
Last edited:
doblocruiser
Of course people can have interest in both but I would say it's not the majority. I didn't say they couldn't. As for the price, it's positioning of a new IP. I would expect a more entry based price to get the ip going. Now price with the mechanics are a hurdle 🤷
Click to expand...
Technically it's not a new IP, it's the IP that gave Milestone notoriety (initially as Graffiti for Screamer 1 and then Milestone from Screamer 2), and even so, I don't think it's unjust for a new release, whether a new IP or not, to ask for the standard RRP of games in this day and age, especially if it delivers, which it seems Screamer is. It's also £5 cheaper than Crimson Desert which is a new IP for an immediate comparison.

Modern game development isn't cheap, they've enlisted proper voice actors, a well known animation studio for the cut scenes, created an entirely new racing concept and given it some actual substance, a 20 hour campaign and more.

We complain that the game industry is lacking new ideas, not innovating, getting stale, especially in racing games with everything pitching itself as a sim or based on a real series with barely anything setting them apart from eachother (other than which one has the fewest issues). Yet when someone innovates, does something new, exciting and actually pulls it off with good critical acclaim, we complain that it costs too much, and then wonder why no one bothers to do anything interesting or new.
 
MagpieRacer
We complain that the game industry is lacking new ideas, not innovating, getting stale, especially in racing games with everything pitching itself as a sim or based on a real series with barely anything setting them apart from eachother (other than which one has the fewest issues). Yet when someone innovates, does something new, exciting and actually pulls it off with good critical acclaim, we complain that it costs too much, and then wonder why no one bothers to do anything interesting or new.
Click to expand...
Well said, the way racing franchises have been getting culled / new releases not meeting expectations (TDU / PMR) any new innovative title is welcome. I really enjoyed hot wheels two for awhile so milestone has credibility with me, but im paranoid I wont like it so without a demo its deep sale mitigation... Ive quite a few DOA digital titles and without re-sale value its a gamble.
 

Latest Posts

Back