Screamer Reboot

In a surprising announcement at The Game Awards, veteran racing game developer Milestone unveiled their ambitious reimagining of Screamer, the influential 1995 racing title that helped bridge the gap between arcade and home gaming. Set for a 2026 release on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC, this fresh take on the classic franchise appears to be dramatically different from its predecessor.

Fighting Meets Racing

Unlike the straightforward racing experience of the original, this new iteration aims to shake up the genre by introducing fighting mechanics alongside the high-speed racing action. Whilst specific gameplay details remain under wraps, this unusual combination could mark a significant departure from traditional racing game formulas.

Anime Aesthetics and Story Focus

Perhaps most intriguingly, Milestone has opted for a distinctly anime-inspired visual direction, partnering with renowned Japanese animation studio Polygon Pictures to create the game’s cutscenes. The storytelling appears to be taking centre stage, with acclaimed voice actor Troy Baker lending his talents to what the developer describes as a narrative exploring themes of “human will, revenge, love, and greed.”

A Tournament of Mysteries

The plot revolves around a street racing tournament organised by an enigmatic figure, with players following a diverse cast of characters through what promises to be an intricate web of personal motivations and external manipulations. This story-driven approach represents a bold departure from Milestone’s typically simulation-focused racing titles like MotoGP and RIDE.

While the brief teaser trailer leaves many questions unanswered, it’s clear that Milestone is taking significant risks with this beloved property. Whether this fusion of racing, fighting, and narrative-driven gameplay will capture the revolutionary spirit of the original Screamer remains to be seen, but it’s certainly got our attention.