The world has ended once more, and this time we are raging against human-machine hybrids hellbent on exacting their revenge on those seeking to rebuild. Rage 2, by Bethesda, Avalanche Sweden, and idSoftware, takes on aspects from so many other post-apocalyptic titles, but manages to retain its own personality. If you like first-person open world shooters, then this may be the next game to pick up.
Rage 2 does not waste any time and throws you right into the action. The exposition is so quick that you barely have time to process who you are, where you are, what’s going on, who the characters around you are, and why they are significant. You pick your gender, and then the model you didn’t pick immediately gets crushed by the front door to your house. The main character shirks this off “Better you than me,” giving me this sort of cheerfully nihilistic vibe that doesn’t let up. The plot involves you, Walker, being the last of the rangers, a group that has access to certain arks, technologies, and abilities. You are tasked with united a coalition of the wasteland to ultimately destroy the Authority once and for all. But it’s not that easy. You have to complete missions among these ally factions to gain their trust. Basically, the same kind of story we’re used to, right?
Combat is fast-paced and can be intense. Even fighting bandits blocking the roads or hoarding technology is a good time. The arks unlock certain abilities that can be used and upgraded for more variety in your onslaught. Two abilities that come to mind are “dash” and “push,” which are very similar to shouts from Skyrim. You can fus-ro-dah armor off of enemies and gun them down accordingly. Moving around feels like DOOM, but with less of the gore and a little more parkour. The gameplay is really the focus of the game in my opinion. You grow your character through ability and weapon upgrades and then you take out your rage (pun intended) on your enemies. A little meter builds up and you can go full psycho, almost like an adrenaline high. Rinse and repeat, shooting baddies is the central attraction. It’s not a competitive game, so you can do it at your own pace.
The map is huge at first glance, allowing for travel to different regions with locations to stop by and clear out. You can get your exploration fix in with the help of your collection of vehicles, which also allow for combat while you’re on the road. Thankfully, you can mark your destination on the map and you can get an on-screen GPS in the form of arrows appearing on the road. While out on your travels, you can run into traders driving like they’re extras in Fury Road, shouting ads from megaphones. You need only honk at them to get their attention. Other than that, there are races you can partake in, but it’s not really an area as polished as combat.
Another good thing about RAGE 2 is that you don’t have to play the original game to understand what is going on in the sequel. There are mutants, bandits, robot/humans, and paramilitary groups with different enemy types. You get close and personal with them all, but there does not seem to be a sniper option for you stealth specialists out there. You are equipped in the DOOM Guy’s suit and are rigged to explode for the most part. If you’re looking for a good shooter with plenty of room for exploration, character growth, and mayhem, then this is definitely a title you should check out. If you want a deep and moving story with the narrative character development instead, then this might not be your cup of tea. I think it’s a good time, so I will give this game an 8.5 out of 10.
Check Out the RAGE 2 Trailer:
RAGE 2 is available for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC (Collector’s Edition). Check out the official RAGE 2 site for more information at bethesda.net/en/game/rage2.
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I like to think of myself as the average Joe who grew up alongside video games. I have fun playing strategy games, RPGs, shooters, sandboxes, the whole shebang! Every game provides an experience whether it strikes you as profound, mundane, or someplace in between. I'd like to weigh in my two cents before you spend a single penny.
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