Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 77 | 200 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 82% | 76 | 607 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 76 | 41 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 84% | 78 | 188 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Jun 3, 2026) · 188 reviews sampled · 180 total reviews in window · weighted 124.3 up / 23.3 down · computed 1h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (132)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 85
“In an era of safe, repetitive, live-service racing festivals, Screamer is a breath of fresh, nitrous-infused air. It is a game that demands your full attention, forcing you to master its complex twin-stick drifting and deep resource-management combat. The $60 price tag is undeniably steep for a game without an open world, which makes it a tough sell for your friends. But if you are nostalgic for the golden age of arcade racers and crave a game that actually respects your ability to learn and adapt, Screamer is a masterpiece. Milestone took a massive risk with this title, and for those willing to put in the work, it pays off in spades.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Screamer is an arcade racer with questionable handling and absurd difficulty spikes, while the AI uses some fairly unfair tricks. Still, the game turned out to be interesting thanks to its complex boost system, which turns monotonous races into a tactical battle of wits.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The new Screamer is a title that isn’t afraid to take risks and stray a bit from the mainstream of today’s arcade racing games. It boasts a masterfully executed audiovisual concept as well as original and polished gameplay that clearly sets it apart from the competition. The futuristic, anime-style racing is thrilling and rewards dedicated practice. I wouldn’t recommend this game to people with an exceptionally short fuse, who might feel the urge to throw their controller through a closed window at times.”
read full review ↗ - 80
““Screamer” does not shy away on breaking expectations when it comes to what it is an “arcade racer”. In an industry filled with open world racing games, Milestone delivers a brutal yet satisfying racing experience. I just wished I could say the same about its narrative focused campaign.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“For lovers of the original Screamer franchise or people who like arcade racers will find comfort and love in this confident and stylish reboot that refuses to rely on nostalgia alone. Instead of simply reviving the past, it tries to reinvent the franchise with new ideas, vibrant presentation, and fast-paced racing action. While the combat mechanics and control system could do with some adjustment to make them feel a bit more comfortable and easier to master the game has its unique identify to land on.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Screamer is a game brimming with personality and character, offering an old-school experience that will take you back to simpler times in the world of video games, with updates that are, for the most part, well executed. Despite a story that takes centre stage without merit and some design choices that seem designed to annoy the player, this is, on the whole, a good title within the genre, with a robust onboarding system for the various modes via its campaign mode, plenty of unlockables that don’t break the bank, and handling that, despite initial friction, is worth mastering, making it well worth a look for fans of traditional arcade racing.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“While it slightly suffers from a few odd decisions about its default control scheme and the direction of the voice acting (though the acting itself is top shelf), you’ll definitely find the adrenaline rush you might be craving in Screamer. It absolutely oozes quality in almost all aspects. If Mario Kart is too silly and Forza is too serious, this might just be the perfect in-between for you.”
read full review ↗ - 74
“Milestone has crafted a visually arresting anime universe with a narrative depth rarely seen in the genre. However, underneath the stunning aesthetics and rich world-building lies a frustratingly convoluted twin-stick handling model. Screamer is a brave, beautiful arcade racer that unfortunately rewards tactical resource management far more than actual driving skill. A fascinating but deeply divisive ride.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Screamer is a solid racing game packed with unconventional mechanics and a more story-driven approach. If you can master the mechanics and adapt to its steep learning curve, you might still enjoy it despite the inconsistent AI of the opponents.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Screamer moves away from a somewhat stale formula and delivers one of the most engaging racing titles in recent years, accompanied by a memorable story full of excellent characters.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Screamer makes the most of its arcade roots, delivering gameplay that feels both solid and challenging. While its career mode falls into some of the familiar pitfalls often seen in anime-inspired storytelling, the variety of modes offers different ways to approach each race. The controls and high-speed intensity may take some getting used to, but once it clicks, the experience proves highly rewarding and packed with fun.”
read full review ↗ - 87
“Screamer is a stylish and mechanically ambitious arcade racer that wraps neon anime spectacle around a surprisingly deep energy-management system, razor-sharp drifting, and a fantastic synth-driven atmosphere. Its rubberbanding AI, wordy story scenes, and locked progression can occasionally break the flow, but when the racing clicks, it feels fast, tactical, and genuinely electrifying.”
read full review ↗
TheBigBois
GameMAG
Gaming Professors
Hu3br
Invision Community
Gamer Escape
EvelonGames
The Nerd Stash
JsemGamer…and 120 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Latest UpdateAug 31, 2026
- New Patch Ranked Team RacesJun 17, 2026
- New Big Patch availableJun 3, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- New Hotfix Update Out NowMay 11, 2026
- New patch available nowMay 5, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Latest Patch AvailableApr 20, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- New Patch ReleasedMar 26, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- New Patch ReleasedMar 23, 2026significant · resets scoring window