Screamer's revival packs a lot into a single racing game

Milestone, the Milan studio long associated with licensed motorbike and rally games, reconnected with its arcade roots after Hot Wheels Unleashed and decided to revive Screamer. The team felt there was room for something new in mainstream, non-simulation racing; Michele Caletti said he saw signs of health in the genre but also a worrying sameness, and wanted to offer 'something really, really new.' The new Screamer is an anime-inspired, narrative-led, arcade combat racer that mixes twin-stick drifting, gear-shifting modeled on Gears of War's active reload, and a twin-meter Echo system for boosts, shields and attacks.

Its story mode draws on Japanese RPGs and fighting games and includes slick animated cut-scenes and a bustling international cast. Caletti described reclaiming the Screamer rights from various publishers, including the now-defunct Virgin Interactive, as 'a very complex story,' and said freedom from licences let the team discard traditional boundaries.

Italy, Milan

screamer, milestone, hot wheels, arcade racer, anime racing, twin-stick, active reload, echo system, michele caletti, virgin interactive