The original Screamer is a historic title for Milestone. Released in 1995, this game redefined PC racing games thanks to its cutting-edge graphics and gripping gameplay. More than 30 years later, we wanted to revive its spirit in the new Screamer. Instead of a straightforward remake, however, we have reimagined it with an anime twist, paying homage to legendary anime and videogames from the ’80s and ’90s. With its many game modes, you will be immersed in an incredible narrative universe and rich gameplay systems. So, let’s discover them together, are you ready to race for your life?

Welcome to the Tournament

The Tournament is our story mode, and we consider it the best place to start your journey in the game. Throughout its many episodes and chapters, you will discover the stories of five teams joining this mysterious Tournament organized by the enigmatic Mr. A. Each character has a personal motivation and goal beyond mere victory, so we invite you to uncover all the secrets that the story has in store.

To create the Tournament, we drew inspiration from classic JRPG games and infused every event with a strong narrative component through dialogues and cutscenes created in collaboration with the Japanese animation studio Polygon Pictures. Importantly, the gameplay is also tied to the storyline, with the Echo system, the device that powers Screamers’ fighting mechanics, and its incredible abilities being a strong focus of the game mode.

Reaching the perfect balance between narrative and gameplay was a true challenge, especially for a racing game, but we are sure that it will keep you glued to the screen and will encourage you to uncover all the mysteries the story offers.

Nostalgic For Arcades

We get that the story mode might not be everyone’s cup of tea.  That’s why every mode in Screamer can be played right away regardless of how far you have progressed in the story. The Tournament is still the quickest way to unlock all the characters and tracks but you can achieve the same thing by playing the other modes. The Arcade menu will transport you back to the golden age of arcades; our development team is made up of people from many different generations, but we all shared the desire to capture the atmosphere of these places in our game and pay heartfelt homage to these iconic locations that were extremely important for many of us.

In Race! mode you can race freely with all characters and tracks that you have unlocked. This highly customizable mode allows you to modify not only the usual racing parameters such as the number of laps, but also how much Echo you want to use. You can disable everything to create a traditional racing challenge or push the Echo to its limits for a spectacular show.

Since the cars are normally separated into leaders and members, each with different characteristics, you can choose to race with leaders, members, or enjoy a brutal free-for-all.

Team Race, instead, is the mode that highlights the Echo mechanics at best. You will be divided into teams of one leader and up to two other members and you will race against other teams. The main goal is to score as many points as possible, and points are given not only by your final position but also by how many KOs you and your teammates make. It is an extremely fun mode that becomes even more entertaining when played online, as I will explain shortly.

Score Challenge, on the other hand, is inspired by fighting games arcade modes. Pick a character and the length of the competition then go on track and try to score as many points as possible by taking part in various events. The global leaderboard will crown the true champion so it is up to you to find your perfect playstyle and character to reach the top spot. Just like in a fighting game, there are secrets to be discovered by completing special challenges in this mode; we can’t wait to see how you react to them all!

We have also included game modes that will test you on specific abilities, each with its own dedicated global leaderboard. In Overdrive challenge, as the name suggests, you have to stay in the Overdrive state as long as possible. If you touch a wall, you will explode, and it will be game over immediately. Checkpoints is a precision challenge: each checkpoint must be reached within the given time but the more you progress, the less time you have, and all your driving skills will be required to take advantage of the ECHO and stay in the competition. Finally, in Time Trial, you must set the fastest time over the course of three laps.

Split-Screen or Online Multiplayer?

The multiplayer menu brings the challenge to the global arena, or your couch! In Split screen you can play locally with your friends with up to 4 players. In Online mode you can race against other players in the Screamer Mixtape, which creates rotating playlists for casual quick plays. Of course, you will also be able to meet your friends through private lobbies. Finally, the Ranked Team Race, which will become available shortly after Screamer’s Day One, is the ultimate battlefield to prove you are a true Screamer and claim your place on the leaderboard alongside the world’s best drivers.

I hope you have enjoyed this journey through the many game modes of Screamer. I can’t wait to see you playing them and discovering your favorite characters. See you in Neo Rey when Screamer launches into Early Access March 23!