ID, the company that (in a way) originally put first person shooters on the map, has really outdone itself this time. They’ve given us Rage, a game that doesn’t really do anything particularly new, yet still somehow manages to deliver on multiple fronts. What Rage lacks in style, it delivers in the visual department. In fact, many are saying that Rage is an example of what one could accurately label as the most impressive graphics seen on a console to date.
Visuals aside, Rage offers us a fairly shopworn story featuring a few twists and turns, but remaining fairly predictable. Many gamers have commented on the technical similarities in the story between this title and Bethesda’s incredible Fallout 3, but these parallels are really only skimming the surface in all reality.
Gameplay wise, Rage is at its core, a shooter. This is to say that Rage is not a game designed for extended exploration; it’s more of a programmed affair which seeks to present gamers with a linear progressing story in addition to some open-ended areas. Keep in mind however, that this game is really about shootouts. One of the many redeeming features of the fps is the weapon designs, sounds, and overall power they exert. To say that the damage you dole out on screen is realistic is a bit of an understatement; for example, hit an enemy on a limb with a shotgun and you will see it react. In other words, the gunplay is extremely satisfying here.
If you’re looking for a corridor shooter with an extremely open feel, this is a game worth checking out. The graphics are arguably worth the price of admission alone, but only part of the satisfaction you’ll receive from this title. Rage is an extremely solid game on multiple fronts, not worthy of game of the year, but definitely worth your time and money.