Screamer (PC)
So once upon a three weeks ago, I was writing up a new post about racing games in the same spirit as an oddly specific Raycevick video, i.e., “Oh no what happened to my childhood pizza joint why is there just Subways and Sheetz as far as the eye can see we are truly in hell” kind of vibe over the genre, and how I believe most of the big players of that space are not going to survive an impending financial catastrophe in the games market as soon as either Grand Theft Auto VI makes a trillion dollars and still somehow flops anyway, or the US kills its own consumer electronics industry to own the liberals or something.
Then, I’ve decided to pick up Screamer, a weird new arcade racer/fighter hybrid thingy that people have been talking about lately, if only because of its interesting controls, and after about a dozen hours of playing it I’ve decided that vomiting a word salad about why Gran Turismo 7 is stuck on a console that’s about to hit $999 MSRP by next year is just going to be pointless nostalgia drivel about a bygone era of racing games back when everyone thought underglow neon was the coolest thing ever and Ian Watkins wasn’t getting stabbed to death in prison for being a pedophile. Yes, Screamer is such a good game it got a racing game nerd to shut up. What an accolade!
Lets address the twin elephants in the room: Screamer is something of an acquired taste. There is combat in this racing game, which might already turn away some diehard racers looking for the light at the end of the festival-shaped tunnel, but its unique approach towards this mechanic has called for a unique dual-stick control scheme that is admittedly a huge hurdle for those looking for arcade racing. To be completely honest, I don’t know how else they would’ve possibly done it. Playing a racing game with digital controls such as keyboard & mouse is already a bad idea if you know what you’re getting into, which probably explains why people on Steam in particular seem to really hate this one.
Screamer has lots of fighting game DNA in terms of aesthetics, and has storyboarding similar to that of a visual novel. It’s truly an artistic milkshake. Tokyo Xtreme Racer, another recent AA racer, is kind of a similar deal, and I would even recommend picking up that game as an alternative if this one isn’t clicking for you. But personally I think I enjoy Screamer more because it does things so differently for a genre and a greater sport that is often ridiculed for its monotony. And also both games are probably more ethically sound purchases than Forza Horizon 6.
Not only have I played racing games with far worse controls, so like whatever cry about it, but once it did click I’ve entered a state of nirvana I only really feel when I’m hot-lapping in Gran Turismo 4 or committing vehicular manslaughter in Burnout 3. Which, while undoubtedly rare in the current ecosystem of racing games, is in fact just a sign that every now and then the home remedy to burnout (the mental one, not the tire-screeching metal smashing one) is to go pick up something new. If you’re going to just instead dig your heels in and beg for the anonymous corporate blob that is Electronic Arts to remaster one of the old school Need for Speed titles then I have some bad news to tell you about the licensing for all your favorite manufacturers or music tracks.
Lozzy is a gaming enthusiast who needs to stop screaming so damn loud. Find me on Bluesky.