"Rage" is nothing if not ambitious, bringing together three diverse genres into one all-encompassing package. But somehow id Software manages to pull it all together, the result being a game that is greater than the sum of its parts. "Rage" isn't perfect, but it certainly is a lot of fun.
As I navigated my way through a dusty canyon at break-neck speeds in my souped-up dune buggy while trying to avoid incoming rocket fire from the group of pursuing gang members nipping at my rear bumper, I couldn't help but think, "Wow, 'Rage' is a really good racing game."
As I burned through clip after clip from my assault rifle, chucked grenades from behind cover and introduced heavily-armed thugs to the business end of my combat shotgun while exploring a makeshift garage, I couldn't help but think, "Wow, 'Rage' a really good first-person shooter."
And as I took on odd jobs for various non-playable characters, meticulously searched every run-down building I entered in hopes of finding valuable resources, and crafted those resources into everything from deployable turrets to first-aid bandages, I couldn't help but think, "Wow, 'Rage' is a really good RPG."
None of the aforementioned gaming experiences are particularly revolutionary when taken separately, but the fact that they all occurred within the same game - and at such a high level of quality - makes "Rage" something special.
Set in a post-apocalyptic world still reeling from a devastating asteroid strike that left those fortunate enough to survive turning back constant threats from roving gangs, mutants and an oppressive group known as the Authority, "Rage" puts gamers in the shoes of a newcomer to the wastelands, a man just emerging from an extended sleep in an underground vault. Your place in this dangerous new world isn't clear as you take those first steps out into the wild, but you quickly learn that survival is your only goal - and the only goal of those you encounter.
While it incorporates elements of racing and role-playing games, "Rage" is first and foremost a shooter. And a very good one, at that. Of course, considering id Software practically invented the genre with titles like "Doom" and "Quake," that isn't altogether surprising.
Your arsenal includes the standard fare like assault rifles, pistols and shotguns, but different types of ammunition help to give each weapon a unique feel. There are shotgun shells that double as EMPs, pistol rounds that shoot through walls and crossbow bolts that allow you to briefly take control of enemies before causing them to explode. And then there is the wingstick, a three-pronged boomerang-type weapon that can decapitate and incapacitate enemies quickly and quietly from great distances.
The action remains fast and fluid throughout, and the AI provides a true challenge. There are multiple enemy types and each has their own unique characteristics. Some will rush at you with melee weapons, running along walls and rolling across the floor to present a hard target. Others make use of cover, popping out only to fire a few rounds in your direction. And none are shy about tossing a grenade your way to flush you from your position.
I was consistently impressed by how enemies reacted to various situations, whether it was injured foes looking to get back on their feet and into cover, or out-manned soldiers abandoning the fight altogether and retreating. As I found myself dying often and thus having to repeat shootouts, I can't recall two engagements ever playing out the same way twice.
Driving is the second of the "Big Three" game-play elements in "Rage," and it is nearly as polished as the shooting. The assortment of buggies and ATVs at your disposal handle extremely well and make traversing the open environments quite enjoyable. There are special jumps to discover and land, dozens of races to compete in (which earns you certificates that can then be used to purchase upgrades for your ride), and plenty of rival gang vehicles to blow up using an assortment of tools ranging from standard machine guns and rocket launchers to more creative weapons like a hovering robot that follows you and automatically attacks any target you encounter. Driving and vehicular combat aren't things most gamers associate with an id Software game, but they fit seamlessly into the world of "Rage."
As I navigated my way through a dusty canyon at break-neck speeds in my souped-up dune buggy while trying to avoid incoming rocket fire from the group of pursuing gang members nipping at my rear bumper, I couldn't help but think, "Wow, 'Rage' is a really good racing game."
As I burned through clip after clip from my assault rifle, chucked grenades from behind cover and introduced heavily-armed thugs to the business end of my combat shotgun while exploring a makeshift garage, I couldn't help but think, "Wow, 'Rage' a really good first-person shooter."
And as I took on odd jobs for various non-playable characters, meticulously searched every run-down building I entered in hopes of finding valuable resources, and crafted those resources into everything from deployable turrets to first-aid bandages, I couldn't help but think, "Wow, 'Rage' is a really good RPG."
None of the aforementioned gaming experiences are particularly revolutionary when taken separately, but the fact that they all occurred within the same game - and at such a high level of quality - makes "Rage" something special.
Set in a post-apocalyptic world still reeling from a devastating asteroid strike that left those fortunate enough to survive turning back constant threats from roving gangs, mutants and an oppressive group known as the Authority, "Rage" puts gamers in the shoes of a newcomer to the wastelands, a man just emerging from an extended sleep in an underground vault. Your place in this dangerous new world isn't clear as you take those first steps out into the wild, but you quickly learn that survival is your only goal - and the only goal of those you encounter.
While it incorporates elements of racing and role-playing games, "Rage" is first and foremost a shooter. And a very good one, at that. Of course, considering id Software practically invented the genre with titles like "Doom" and "Quake," that isn't altogether surprising.
Your arsenal includes the standard fare like assault rifles, pistols and shotguns, but different types of ammunition help to give each weapon a unique feel. There are shotgun shells that double as EMPs, pistol rounds that shoot through walls and crossbow bolts that allow you to briefly take control of enemies before causing them to explode. And then there is the wingstick, a three-pronged boomerang-type weapon that can decapitate and incapacitate enemies quickly and quietly from great distances.
The action remains fast and fluid throughout, and the AI provides a true challenge. There are multiple enemy types and each has their own unique characteristics. Some will rush at you with melee weapons, running along walls and rolling across the floor to present a hard target. Others make use of cover, popping out only to fire a few rounds in your direction. And none are shy about tossing a grenade your way to flush you from your position.
I was consistently impressed by how enemies reacted to various situations, whether it was injured foes looking to get back on their feet and into cover, or out-manned soldiers abandoning the fight altogether and retreating. As I found myself dying often and thus having to repeat shootouts, I can't recall two engagements ever playing out the same way twice.
Driving is the second of the "Big Three" game-play elements in "Rage," and it is nearly as polished as the shooting. The assortment of buggies and ATVs at your disposal handle extremely well and make traversing the open environments quite enjoyable. There are special jumps to discover and land, dozens of races to compete in (which earns you certificates that can then be used to purchase upgrades for your ride), and plenty of rival gang vehicles to blow up using an assortment of tools ranging from standard machine guns and rocket launchers to more creative weapons like a hovering robot that follows you and automatically attacks any target you encounter. Driving and vehicular combat aren't things most gamers associate with an id Software game, but they fit seamlessly into the world of "Rage."
The same can also be said for the game's RPG elements. Sure, I didn't spend hours grinding in order to level-up my character and there is no real customization to speak of outside of upgrading your armor, but I got a definite RPG vibe from "Rage." I was running errands for NPCs, crafting new items from various junk I had collected on my travels, and engaging in conversations with every random person I ran into (who wasn't trying to kill me, of course.) Unfortunately, the RPG illusion ends when it comes time to interact with the other key characters involved in the main plot - many were downright boring and uninteresting. It's sad to say, but I really didn't care if these people I was supposed to be helping lived or died as they did nothing to endear themselves to me. This is really one of the only gripes I have about "Rage," and even then it doesn't take away much from the overall experience.
From a technical standpoint, "Rage" is simply amazing as it delivers gorgeous visuals while running at a smooth 60 frames per second. For anyone who has never considered the role frame rate plays in how a game looks and feels, sit down with "Rage" for 10 minutes and then go try and play any of the other shooters out there that are locked in at 30 frames per second. The difference is startling. Of course, graphical sacrifices had to be made in order to achieve that 60 FPS, most noticeably the lack of textures at close range. But that's a barely a blemish on what is an otherwise beautiful game. The audio presentation is equally impressive, especially the use of directional sound.
Once you reach the conclusion of the campaign - which should take about 12-15 hours if you skip the side-quests and races or 20-25 if you hope to experience everything - "Rage" offers competitive and co-op multiplayer modes online. Competitive multiplayer centers on the car combat that is introduced in the campaign. Players can take part in a variety of races and other modes, unlocking new weapons as they progress. Gamers can also team-up with a buddy for the "Legends of the Wastelands" co-op mode, with missions that serve as a prequel of sorts to the events in the campaign.
"Rage" is nothing if not ambitious, bringing together three diverse genres into one all-encompassing package. But somehow id Software manages to pull it all together, the result being a game that is greater than the sum of its parts. "Rage" isn't perfect, but it certainly is a lot of fun.
"Rage"
Developer: id Software
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Available for: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 ($59.99)
Rating: M for mature
Score: 9.0/10
