RAGE 2 preview: This shooter sequel looks downright WILD

The year 2022 already hosts plentiful post-apocalyptic titles, from Metro Exodus's harsh postal service-nuclear globe to the saturated styling of Far Weep New Dawn. All the same, with Bethesda's upcoming open-world shooter, RAGE 2, the series hits the far end of the crazy spectrum. With a new fresh new identity, information technology'south a big deviation from its drab legacy.

Hither's how RAGE ii is doing the apocalypse differently, and why it's ane to watch as we get closer to the expected release this May.

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Stepping upwards the insanity

Fifty-fifty with a passing glance, RAGE 2 looks like it will convey a vastly different earth than its predecessor. While information technology is a familiar post-apocalyptic tale of civilisation's downfall, the series'southward second installment ways a wackier tone than ever. Dropping its bromidic world grounded by realism, id Software'south envisioned doomsday presents heightened vibrancy, draped in neon paints and punk rock attire. Information technology's a like shift made for DOOM, canceling its now-infamous fourth entry for an acclaimed 2022 reboot.

Returning RAGE fans are greeted by a familiar premise: a earth shaken by an asteroid impact, now enslaved by the Dominance. Starting 30 years after the original, the wasteland is developed, pregnant more than variety to the locations and inhabitants. And playing as Walker, offspring of underground "Ark survivors," players embark to topple the Say-so's influence.

RAGE 2 is crazy, charismatic – and pure wasteland fun.

RAGE 2 is a collaboration between series creator, id Software and the talent of Barrage Studios. The pairing means a pivot to its internal Apex Engine, previously of Just Cause and Mad Max fame, and rebuilding tight first-person gunplay mechanics. It'southward seemingly a primal shift under the hood, translating the best traits of DOOM'due south smooth shooting in a larger open-world sandbox. With a promised lx frames per 2d (FPS) at the cost of resolution on Xbox One X and PlayStation four Pro, RAGE should remain buttery-smooth too.

From the early hours ahead of launch, RAGE 2's best strength is just how great it feels to play. Signature sharp and snappy combat returns backed by a roster of weapons spanning central categories. Common firearms similar shotguns get a heavy-hitting twist, sending enemies flying with the exaggerated buckshot kicking. And with experimental armaments like the gravity gun, pinning darts into enemies to propel them skyward never gets old.

Varied play abilities will complement this gunplay, each fluid and tied to smoothen animations, including a traditional "Dash" evade, airborne ground-pound, to experimental gadgets like the bullet-arresting Barrier. These each help build the sense of a sandbox for carnage, making the near of bolstered physics. While fun to experiment yourself, these likewise leave hope of bosses and levels purpose-built to leverage these abilities in full.

A new take on franchise favorites

Although RAGE two offers a newly-developed take on its setting and mechanics, it doesn't wipe the franchise'due south by. Our wasteland journey headed to 2 hallmarks, from loftier-speed racing to daytime TV.

The wasteland'south slapstick "Mutant Bash Television set" game evidence returns with RAGE 2, pitting players in wave-based battles against varied foes. The fast-paced activity is platonic for experimenting with combat, facing off with varying enemy class types. It's prime crazy for the series, pairing perfectly with the championship-wide combat improvements. And it never deters from its persona, from the unique affiliation of punk science fiction, to characters dubbed "Sequin Glitterguts" and "Brexit."

Like any wasteland dustbowl, RAGE 2 also revives its fuel-guzzling ego with vehicular action. While dropping the original's divisive multiplayer mode, our time in the racing derby continued its motoring legacy. It's an obvious pairing in theory but still fails to stack up against the shooter action, especially with prominent gunplay improvements. Nosotros're yet to dive deep into vehicular gainsay, though concerns yet linger after my early hours.

Our hands-on only granted time to briefly experiment with RAGE 2'due south underlying foundations, yet it already corrects various flaws of its predecessor. id Software's shooter expertise hits the open world, sculpting what might exist a fresh face for the franchise. It'due south one to watch as May approaches, shaping upwards as a fitting addition to Bethesda's top shooters.

New beginnings for RAGE

Allow us know your thoughts on how RAGE 2 is shaping upwards in the comments. The game is slated to launch on May xiv, 2022, on Xbox 1, PlayStation four, and Windows PCs. Preorders are now live, priced at $59.99 in the U.Southward.

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