RAGE Review

RAGE (PC)
Developed By: id Software
Published By: Bethesda Softworks
Date of Release: October 4th, 2011
Price: $59.99

I have to be honest, this review almost didn't get written. It's not because RAGE is a bad game, it's far from it. No, this delay was brought to you by a myriad array of bugs that initially kept me from finishing the game. However now that it is patched I have managed to get it running again, and saw it through to the end. Now that I have finished, it's time to review this beast!

Texas based id Software is known far and wide as the company that brought the First Person Shooter (FPS) genre to life, from the nazi-stomping masterpiece Wolfenstein 3D, the demo-slaying action of Doom, and the freak-fragging awesomeness of Quake. id Software has always been on the forefront of FPS technology and gameplay innovation. And now their next big thing has emerged in the form of RAGE.




Rage is set in the post-apocalyptic future, where you awaken from suspended animation in a shelter called an ARK, with no memory of your past. You quickly find out that you're not alone in this strange new world as bandits attack you, however friendly aid soon arrives. The game's first missions serve as an in-depth tutorial on how to play, however FPS veterans will immediately feel at home. Other than some excellent vehicular segments, RAGE is a by the numbers FPS, hearkening back to classic corridor shooters like Doom.

What isn't by the numbers however is the amazing id Tech 5 game engine. Using a new feature known as Megatexturing, id Tech 5 allows for amazing diversity and detail for the graphics by using one massive texture map to cover the game world, a welcome change from the repeated texture tiles of the past. Craggy cliffs, rusted metal, and ruined cityscapes jump off the screen with incredibly breathtaking detail. The character and enemy modelling and animation are also quite excellent.




As said before, the gameplay in RAGE is largely standard FPS fare, however a few interesting tidbits keep things interesting. You can craft various useful items from junk you find lying around the game world, and you can buy upgrades from your arsenal from vendors. When you're tired of traveling on foot you can hop into one of the game's many customizable vehicles and drive to your destination, fending off enemies with your onboard weapons. If you want to upgrade your vehicle's firepower and armor, you're gonna have to head to town and win a few races to save up the cash.

Multiplayer in RAGE is quite different from previous id Software offerings in the fact that it lacks the game mode that id famously pioneered, Deathmatch. Instead, you have two modes, the first of which is Road Rage, a collection of excellent vehicle based races and destruction derbies that make good use of the game's vehicle mechanics. I for one recommend that you have an Xbox 360 game pad connected to your PC for this mode. The other is Wasteland Legends, a co-op journey through various missions with objectives that encourage teamwork.




All in all, RAGE is a satisfying experience with plenty of hidden secrets, sidequests, shout outs to classic id games, and general good fun. The multiplayer will definitely keep you coming back for more as well. FPS aficionados will be busy for a long time with this one. RAGE should not be missed!