Rage 2 was an exciting idea for me ever since I saw it announced at E3. I loved the idea of a Bethesda shooter that existed in an open world. So, whenever I finally booted up the game on my X-Box, I was disappointed to see such a lukewarm effort brought to something that could’ve been spectacular. Rage 2 isn’t a failure, but it never really knocks it out of the park in the ways that I hoped it would.
The first thing I noticed with Rage 2 was the bland storyline. Basically, the plot follows you, The Walker, as you try to take down a military regime that is plotting to militarize the nuclear wasteland you call home. All of the characters you come across seem to be lazily made, and there really isn’t a distinct taste to the world. Yes, there is a neon-soaked portion of it, but the prominent feel of the game is just a typical and uninspired open world game. It quickly became me running through checkpoints and missions, and not really caring too much for the storyline. This was disappointing because I really wanted to dive into the world. The world was bland and didn’t encourage exploration much.
The gameplay in this game is a mixed bag. The shooting mechanics feel satisfying and punchy. The shotgun is a beast, and all the weapons and upgrades make it enjoyable. The real core of this game is the upgrading system. There are three level trees to conquer, and each one gives you distinct benefits. This is a great way to keep the player active and have a purpose to continue the game. The second half of the gameplay, the driving, is not enjoyable at all though. The camera is clunky and shoots everywhere, while the turning rate is choppy and I constantly flew off cliffs and into walls. Shooting in the car felt awkward and it didn’t feel useful. The racing segments of the game are a pain, and I was annoyed by the fact that they made them mandatory for certain story progression points.
Rage 2 could have been something entirely special, but instead, it’s a shooter brought down by its self-imposed limitations. I really wanted to love this game, but I felt let down. I know that Bethesda needed this to be a winner, and I really hope that they learn from their simple mistakes. If you are looking for a post-apocalyptic shooter with mindless missions and clunky controls, give Rage 2 a shot. But, if you’re looking for something a little more satisfying, check out Borderlands 3 in a couple of months.
