Announced almost four years ago, Rage, is late to the post-apocalyptic party, but that doesn’t mean it can’t crash it, and make it better. Certain scenarios are used over and over: post-apocalyptic is the new hotness, replacing zombies, which replaced the WWII shooter. So while many may find the post-apocalyptic setting played out, developer id has a stellar track record, essentially creating the first person shooter genre, so you shouldn’t count Rage out. The game has a lot of things going for it; it’s part first person shooter, part third person, high-octane vehicle control, along with an open world that’s just begging to be explored. Don’t forget: a breadth of co-op and multiplayer options exists to keep your competitive spirit alive. As mentioned above, Rage has been in development for quite some time. It’s certainly not to the levels of games like Prey, but media and fans have seen the title for years in a row at shows such as E3 and PAX East.
These have come and gone, but this year’s E3 should be the last one for Rage: the final product is supposed to hit on September 13, 2011. Some may be skeptical, but sometimes these games are worth the wait. Not only does Rage have the id name going for it but it’s now under the Bethesda umbrella as well; this could just be a match made in heaven. Even more exciting is the fact that id Software is running Rage on a new engine: id Tech 5, which is just a dream for visuals. The id Tech 5 engine provides a smooth 60 frames-per-second on the Xbox 360. John Carmack has always been known for his amazing game engines, and we should hope that the mastermind behind id won’t misstep here. The campaign in Rage creates a sense of urgency from the get-go: a massive asteroid is approaching Earth, and many are trying to prepare for the destruction. Humanity has fled into self-sustaining, underground pods, though, you’ll be happy to know that Pauly Shore is nowhere to be seen. You are a member of one of these survivalist sects, but you are pushed to the surface unexpectedly and must fight simply to stay alive.
Throughout the campaign you’ll be treated to various quests and encounter a diverse set of characters that make the journey all the more worthwhile. As with most FPS, the story is never the draw; the excitement of it all comes from its run and gun gameplay. In Rage, you’ll gun down big bad bandit clans and monsters disfigured by the post-apocalyptic world. You’ll annihilate these enemies with various firearms such as, pistols, shotguns, sniper rifles, and even machine-guns. Also in your arsenal are personal turrets, sentry bots, wingsticks (a weapon resembling a boomerang), and, like Call of Duty, remote-controlled exploding cars. Similarly to Borderlands, each weapon comes with a certain proficiently requirement before you can get your business done. Rage also will feature a variety of challenges for the player to unlock as they play, whether it is for a certain amount of kills or collecting certain items. Basically, you’re rewarded for the exploring you do.
As you explore the desolate, sad world filled with worn-down buildings and complete wreckage that screams hopelessness, you’ll collect ammo, tools, weapons, different resources – some hold valuable as barter, others will play a role in crafting, particularly upgrading your weapons for stronger and newer features. Spread throughout the barren lands are locked doors, your only solace is building lock-grinders that bust through the locks. Some doors are imperative to your progress as they open new areas, while others are just purely a loot lover’s dream. While all of these concepts are sure to give the FPS fan plenty to attend to, where Rage is most trying to set itself apart is in its vehicular gameplay. Throughout the game, vehicles can be greatly customized, since not only will your vehicle get your around faster, but it also become part of your strategy around enemies. Not to mention, Rage is extremely realistic, enemies will catch you by surprise and attack, and the consequences are always real. For instance, your vehicle may go spiraling out of control because of an enemy’s sneak attack. Your car also comes with a turbo boost that you can use as part of your strategy – a means for easy escape. If you let your car absorb too much damage, a tow truck will come to take it for repairs. Another moment of realism: these repairs will cost you.
Id has provided a campaign that’s playable either as a single-player story or with 2-player co-op. The game also features two distinctive main multiplayer modes, one that focuses more on racing your car, the other on exploring missions from the campaign with others. In Rage Combat Rally, it’s all about being the fast car on the lot; it’s a six-player race full of checkpoints and turbo boosts. If racing isn’t your forte, then the mode for you is Legends of Wasteland. In this mode, eight players work together to complete special missions that are a spin-off from the campaign. Don’t worry, it’s not repeating what you did in the campaign, the missions are actually tailored to explore different characters and objectives from the campaign – giving you deeper insight into the game’s narrative. Rage also has special little fun co-op games like being a part of Mutant Bash TV where you star in the pilot episode with others. Rage’s developers appear to be working their hardest to make the game worth the wait and not fizzle out on its post-apocalyptic setting. Their attempts to go beyond just being a FPS, but also allowing cars to play a strong role in the game, along with crafting just about any upgrade or item you need are definitely noteworthy. Furthermore, having a multiplayer that attempts to explore the characters and their stories in a new way is a unique concept. For now, we have to hope September 13 is worth the wait. Keep reading PlanetXbox360 for updates about Rage!
