Rage 2 (Releasing May 14, 2019 on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One)
Nobody really saw this coming. Rage was a sleeper hit back when it launched on the PS3 but when we saw what Bethesda and Id Software did for Rage 2 we were left salivating and begging for this game to launch. Rage 2 is an apocalyptic wasteland through and through: an asteroid has crashed into the planet causing massive devastation. Those who survived were mutated and altered in some way. Gangs formed and became the powering force of what remained of society and violence became the universal language.
An amalgamation of Skyrim, Borderlands, and DOOM, Rage 2 is a first-person experience with a massive open world, extreme violence, branching narratives and quests with RPG elements, as well as a very punky in-your-face feel to it. You’ll unlock skills and powers as the ranger Walker, upgrading and augmenting your nanite powered abilities as you take on mutated and psychotic hordes in a world overrun with psychopaths. Many of us thought this could be a sequel to Mad Max until the name popped up on screen.
One of Rage 2’s selling points – although not heavily explored in trailers yet – is that any vehicle you spot can be used. Whether or not that will translate to large scale, military grade vehicles is yet unknown but we can only hope to find some incredibly destructive vehicles to drive. Rage 2 will definitely be the most violent and gore filled of the three options, particularly when it comes to the wingstick: a three bladed boomerang with a tendency to saw through enemies before returning – this is afterall the team who brought us DOOM.
The Verdict
Each of these games is set for release this year and each one has an entirely unique approach to exploring and conquering the wasteland. Far Cry: New Dawn will be a vibrant and narrative-driven experience akin to a summer blockbuster, however Ubisoft has been dipping its toes in the “light-RPG” pool for a while with the Assassin’s Creed series and as cool as it looks, we don’t know yet if they can pull it off with Far Cry. Being a direct sequel for the first time in the franchise, Far Cry: New Dawn is taking a chance and I sincerely believe they can pull off the delivery of a more lighthearted apocalypse.
The Outer Worlds, on the other hand, has a team of developers who gave us arguably the very best of the Fallout franchise and are blending that with an off-brand, charming, and oddball narrative as they too take a lighter approach to a wasteland – albeit in space. Not many games promise the option to have your character respond like a psychopath so it will be interesting to see how it plays out. From what we have seen this is going to be a bit more about narrative than action and definitely less jump-scare fueled as the Fallout franchise.
And finally, Rage 2 is where all of your action will lie. This will be a bloodbath of mutants and psychopaths who want your head, but you are uniquely equipped to eviscerate them. Exploring the stereotypical wasteland after a cataclysmic event, Rage 2 has a punk aesthetic with Skyrim freeroam and open narrative but it is absolutely loaded with the combat and visceral gore of DOOM. If you are looking for a place to unwind and tear something apart, the name is in the game.
So, which wasteland is the right one for you? Let us know which one you are most looking forward to and why on Facebook, Twitter, or the Comments section below.