Kinda Funny Gamescast: Video Game Podcast · Kinda Funny

Screamer is a Must Try! - Gamescast Plays

·1 hr 4 min·5 clips

Blessing reveals Troy Baker voices the villain in Screamer, with a story that hooks you from the start.

The episode features hosts Blessing and Tim playing and discussing the new arcade racing game "Screamer." They explore the game's story mode and arcade features live on the show. The game's review embargo lifted at an unusual time, leading to a smaller initial number of Metacritic reviews. Blessing highlights that the game's villain is voiced by Troy Baker, while the protagonist Hiroshi is voiced by Alex Lee. The story involves a street racing tournament with a grand prize of 100 billion dollars, organized by a mysterious figure named Mr. A. Characters include teams like the Green Reapers, the Jupiter Stormers, and a driving dog named Fermi. The game blends visual novel storytelling with racing, slowly introducing mechanics like the boost and entropy systems. A surprising element is that the "Screamer" title is a revival of a 1990s racing franchise, though this new installment has a distinct anime aesthetic. The hosts note that no character in the story is a traditional "good guy," with the protagonists primarily motivated by a desire to kill a target named Gabrielle. Secret routes and shortcuts are hidden within tracks, requiring advanced track knowledge to access. The game includes a full split-screen multiplayer mode and extensive online play, though the review period made finding matches difficult. Customization in "Gage's Workshop" allows players to modify cars with various cosmetic items unlocked through gameplay. Each character has unique abilities, such as Aisha's emergency shield or specific perks that activate during team races. The overdrive mechanic, activated by filling the entropy meter, grants prolonged speed and the ability to takedown any car on contact. Blessing expresses a desire for the strike mechanic to allow side impacts, not just rear collisions, to better emulate games like "Burnout." The soundtrack is praised as strong, though the hosts note the absence of vocal tracks common in other iconic racing games. The game's universe features a universal language translator, explaining why characters speak different native languages. The tone is enthusiastic and conversational, with the hosts reacting in real-time to the game's story beats and gameplay moments. This episode is ideal for fans of arcade racing games, especially those who enjoy narrative-driven experiences like "Visual Novels" or the style of "Burnout." Listeners who prefer simulation racers like "Forza" or have no interest in anime-inspired aesthetics might find less to enjoy.

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