Rage 2

Impressive efforts with a few noticeable problems holding them back. Won't astound everyone, but is worth your time and cash.

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In the open-world shooter RAGE 2, players navigate a post-apocalyptic wasteland as a ranger with advanced technology, battling against various factions and mutants. The Deluxe Edition includes the base game, a expansion with a new location, enemies, and weapon, as well as additional cosmetic and gameplay bonuses. The TerrorMania expansion, available now, challenges players to reverse a curse and defeat skeletal enemies in an alternate reality of the wasteland.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

65%

Audience ScoreBased on 7,592 reviews

gameplay704 positive mentions

story727 negative mentions

Fun and satisfying gunplay with a variety of weapons and abilities.
Visually appealing open world with diverse environments.
Engaging combat mechanics that encourage aggressive playstyle.

Bland and forgettable story with shallow characters.
Frequent crashes and bugs, particularly in the vehicle upgrade menu.
Repetitive side missions and activities that can feel tedious over time.

story
5,469 mentions
13 % positive mentions
74 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The story in "Rage 2" is widely criticized for being short, generic, and lacking depth, with many players noting that it consists of only about 8-10 main missions that can be completed in a few hours. While some appreciate the game's focus on fast-paced combat and open-world exploration, the narrative is often described as an afterthought, with repetitive side missions and uninspired characters failing to engage players. Additionally, a significant bug preventing access to the final mission has frustrated many, further diminishing the overall experience.
- “The story is short but powerful; don't buy it full price just for the story.”
- “The story is decent enough, and while it has a very different feel than the original rage, it's actually pretty decent to play.”
- “The story is there enough so you have some direction, but mostly you're on your own to blow shit up in the wasteland.”
- “The story is throwaway crap, the villain is still undeveloped, and it is still just shallow shooty-shooty-bang-bang if you were expecting an immersive sim or a more involving 100+ hour experience.”
- “The story is generic and lackluster, the characters are flat, and the difficulty on hard mode is not nearly as challenging as it should be.”
- “The story is completely forgettable, so don't bother with it.”
gameplay
1,773 mentions
40 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The gameplay in Rage 2 is widely praised for its fast-paced, satisfying gun mechanics reminiscent of Doom, combined with a chaotic open-world experience akin to Mad Max. Players enjoy the variety of weapons and abilities, which contribute to a rewarding combat loop, although many note that the open-world design can feel repetitive and lacks depth. While the driving mechanics are often criticized as clunky, the core shooting gameplay remains the standout feature, making it a fun experience for those who prioritize action over narrative.
- “The gameplay is awesome.”
- “The gameplay was so addicting that I really couldn't put it down.”
- “The core gameplay loop is so satisfying.”
- “In a nutshell, if you don't like moving around a lot and doing the same things over and over again without much of a story or RPG-like mechanics, this game probably isn't for you.”
- “The story line is barely there, you get no melee weapon, powers are hard to use with the control switch, and the overall gameplay is clunky and gunplay is barely adequate, to be honest.”
- “The gameplay loop is very simple; go to a location on the map, kill enemies, reap rewards in the form of money, resources, perks for weapons and the player.”
graphics
1,041 mentions
50 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The graphics in Rage 2 have received a mixed reception, with many players praising the vibrant art style, detailed environments, and impressive visual effects, particularly during combat. However, some users have reported issues with optimization, including crashes and graphical glitches, as well as a perception that the graphics do not significantly surpass those of its predecessor, Rage. Overall, while the visuals are often described as stunning and immersive, they are occasionally marred by performance issues and a lack of polish in certain areas.
- “The game's incredible graphics, combined with its rock-solid optimization, deliver a truly breathtaking visual experience.”
- “The graphics are stunningly gorgeous and the gunplay is fast, addictive, and satisfying.”
- “The graphics are top-notch, the animations are good, and the overall atmosphere is immersive.”
- “The visuals are completely rubbish – it looks mediocre at best, with bland textures and a real lack of detail anywhere.”
- “The graphics are dated, the story is just kind of bad, in my opinion, just not what I was hoping.”
- “Graphics are absolutely terrible, I have all my settings turned up to ultra and all textures and models still look like they're from the early 2010s.”
stability
378 mentions
7 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
93 % negative mentions
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous players reporting a plethora of bugs, glitches, and crashes that significantly hinder the gameplay experience. Common issues include freezing during vehicle upgrades, invisible NPCs, and game-breaking glitches that prevent mission completion. While some players have experienced minimal problems, the overall consensus is that the game remains a buggy mess, particularly frustrating given its long time since release without substantial fixes.
- “It runs so smooth on my PC, high framerates, max settings, no glitches, bugs, or technical issues from my experience.”
- “The graphic quality is great and I've had no glitches or crashes.”
- “As for performance, it runs great; Vulkan is smooth as butter as you'd expect.”
- “The game is extremely buggy; I would have requested a refund if it weren't for the huge discount I got on this game.”
- “It's buggy - save your games often, especially before you conclude the last of the three main quests.”
- “The game is a buggy mess, simple as that.”
optimization
276 mentions
31 % positive mentions
45 % neutral mentions
24 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its solid performance and smooth graphics, particularly on higher-end systems, while others report significant issues such as stuttering, crashes, and poor performance on lower-end hardware. Many users noted that while the game can run well under certain conditions, it often struggles with stability and optimization, especially in open-world scenarios or when using specific settings. Overall, the game's optimization appears to vary widely depending on individual hardware configurations and settings adjustments.
- “The game's incredible graphics, combined with its rock-solid optimization, deliver a truly breathtaking visual experience.”
- “Well optimized and, in my opinion, Bethesda's best game to date.”
- “The game is really well optimized; I was getting a solid 60 fps on high settings with my i5-4690/GTX 970.”
- “The other big problem with this game is it feels unoptimized to death.”
- “About the optimization, I passed my first two days in the game dealing with constant crashes, stutterings, map and inventory not loading, game taking forever to load and, of course, huge portions of the map's assets not loading.”
- “Its basically Doom Eternal just no demons and its extremely poorly optimized and full of bugs.”
music
235 mentions
39 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its energetic and adrenaline-pumping qualities reminiscent of the "Doom" series, while others criticize its inconsistency and lack of memorability. Some players enjoyed the heavy metal and electronic soundtracks during combat, enhancing the overall experience, but noted that the music often fades in and out unexpectedly or fails to play at crucial moments. Overall, while the soundtrack has its highlights, it is seen as a step below the iconic music of "Doom 2016," leaving some players wanting more variety and cohesion.
- “The music is fantastic, the enemies are varied, kills are satisfying.”
- “The soundtrack is phenomenal, the menu opens with a dense acid and violent synth, and now you only want more of that.”
- “It's a fun romp more than anything else with that feeling being further enforced by the rocking music when combat kicks in.”
- “From sound cutting out to the combat music suddenly turning on for no reason and then cutting out shortly after.”
- “The music was less remarkable, sounding like pretty much every action-FPS game this generation.”
- “Unfortunately, there are times where the music ramps it up even though the battle that is happening is nowhere near your location, which is sometimes confusing since you're expecting a fight only to realize that the enemies you are expecting are fighting each other below the ridge and you're up there looking down doing nothing.”
grinding
190 mentions
2 % positive mentions
5 % neutral mentions
93 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with players describing it as tedious, repetitive, and often frustrating. Many reviews highlight the lack of variety in missions, the necessity of grinding to progress the story, and the overwhelming amount of back-and-forth travel required, which detracts from the overall enjoyment. While some players appreciate the solid combat mechanics, they feel that the grinding elements overshadow the fun, leading to a generally uninspired and monotonous experience.
- “Pacing is good, you're upgrading yourself all the time and it's not grindy.”
- “Things to collect but it's not too tedious.”
- “A shallow game but fun and not too grindy.”
- “The core game mechanic of shooting and abilities is very solid, but the loop of killing outpost after outpost with barely any variety just gets tedious.”
- “The game is too grindy; it takes quite some time to unlock all the stuff you want.”
- “Rage 2 gets boring very fast; the missions and story are tedious and repetitive, there are no memorable characters and nothing to keep the player interested.”
humor
189 mentions
97 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highly polarizing, with many players finding it forced, cringeworthy, and lacking the charm of similar titles like Borderlands. While some appreciate the occasional funny moments and quirky NPC behaviors, others criticize the writing as generic and the attempts at humor as overbearing and juvenile. Overall, the humor often feels hit-or-miss, with a mix of genuinely funny moments overshadowed by awkward and poorly executed jokes.
- “It even has some funny moments and unique features I was surprised to see.”
- “The characters/NPCs are hilarious, unique, and straight-up weird; it's fantastic!”
- “The humor, the shooting, the exploring, the wasteland.”
- “The voice acting is cheesy and cringey as the game tries hard to be funny and cool and pretty much fails 100% of the time.”
- “Unfunny jokes.”
- “The story is as barebones as it is miniscule: loss of mentor-figure/acquisition of allies/getting revenge is squeezed into not even 10 missions + bugged bonus DLC mission with character progression tacked on that is frankly laughable and makes the game an unfunny chore to play in the early stages.”
monetization
150 mentions
2 % positive mentions
68 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy in the game has been widely criticized as exploitative, with many players expressing frustration over the presence of microtransactions in a full-priced single-player title. Critics highlight that essential content, including DLCs, is locked behind a paywall requiring the purchase of in-game currency, often referred to as "rage coins," which detracts from the overall experience. While some players note that the microtransactions are primarily cosmetic and not intrusive, the general sentiment leans towards viewing the monetization as a blatant cash grab that undermines the game's value.
- “Controller input was flawless, and while there are microtransactions, they’re extremely unintrusive.”
- “The microtransactions are not intrusive and are purely cosmetic.”
- “Most negatives are about microtransactions cosmetics for guns but literally all of them are available to get without paying real money.”
- “The monetization is scummy: to buy the DLC, you'll have to buy a virtual currency for an in-game store.”
- “It's a pretty decent game, but Bethesda's bait-and-switch monetization and absurd microtransactions leave a sour taste in your mouth.”
- “Overall it feels like a massive slapdash cash grab and it's majorly disappointing.”
atmosphere
88 mentions
38 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in Rage 2 is a point of contention among players, with many noting that it lacks the immersive, post-apocalyptic vibe of the original Rage. While some appreciate the vibrant visuals and engaging environments, others criticize the game for feeling shallow and lifeless, particularly in comparison to its predecessor. Overall, the atmosphere is described as visually appealing but inconsistent, with a mix of enjoyable elements and significant shortcomings.
- “The atmosphere is vivid; you can just roam around and find tons of stuff, quests, and goons to obliterate.”
- “The atmosphere is stunning, especially at night around the settlements and camps, with bright vivid colors and the flare of the lights.”
- “The game has some excellent environments that are immersive, atmospheric, detailed, and unique.”
- “Rage 2 destroys the tone the first game set up and has no atmosphere at all.”
- “Simply put, they very obviously decided it wasn't worth it and thought 'oh the action's good and that's all that matters,' so what you get is a shallow story and barebones atmosphere, with NPCs walking around repeating the same lines as each other and broken animations.”
- “Rage 2 falls short as an immersive open world, and the aesthetic beauty and genuine stabs at atmosphere certainly make that failure a little painful to witness.”
replayability
60 mentions
13 % positive mentions
70 % neutral mentions
17 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players finding it highly enjoyable and worth revisiting due to its action and new game+ options, while others criticize it for being too linear and lacking meaningful content after the initial playthrough. Many reviews highlight that the addition of DLCs can enhance replay value, but overall, the consensus leans towards a lack of substantial replayability, especially for those who complete the game fully.
- “Classic shooter with plenty of replay value.”
- “Fun game, a lot of replayability and things to do in the wasteland even after you beat the game.”
- “With the release of the latest 'Terrormania' DLC, the game itself adds even more replayability than ever before.”
- “Unfortunately not very replayable once you complete everything (unless you like playing literally the same thing again)”
- “The game has no true replay value and it's just so short that it's sad.”
- “I feel no love, no inspiration, and no replay value.”
emotional
48 mentions
52 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
48 % negative mentions
Overall, the emotional aspect of the game is widely criticized, with many reviewers noting a lack of compelling storytelling and character development. Players feel disconnected from the narrative, describing it as boring and repetitive, with characters that fail to evoke any emotional response. Despite enjoyable gameplay mechanics, the absence of a meaningful story undermines the potential for emotional engagement, leaving players feeling indifferent to the characters and their fates.
- “The scenic mix of futuristic and natural landscape views has me spacing out on the emotional high of it all as if I stepped into a heavy metal magazine with all its idyllic beauty ravished by all-devouring psychotic violence.”
- “It's impossible to have any emotional attachment to any of the characters.”
- “And truly, the story was absolutely worthless, and the ending of the game has no emotional weight to it whatsoever.”
- “I cannot really overstate just how bad the writing is with annoying characters, a boring story, and a lot of really unsatisfying moments.”
- “What we have served is a boring storyline that makes no sense, some cringe dad jokes, and random references to other titles from genres but implemented in a not fun way.”
- “It's such a boring story that's been done a billion times.”
character development
39 mentions
21 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
23 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has been widely criticized for being shallow and lacking depth, with many reviewers noting the absence of meaningful backstories or character arcs. While some praise the character design and visuals, they often highlight that the characters themselves feel empty and unengaging, detracting from the overall narrative experience. Overall, the game fails to deliver a compelling story or character progression, leaving players wanting more substance.
- “Character development is outstanding.”
- “Absolutely beautiful and unexpectedly diverse world, in terms of character design, as well as environment design.”
- “What sets the Rage series apart from classic story-driven FPS games is the strong presence of roleplaying and character development, which has a significant impact on how you undertake the challenges set before you.”
- “The character development is shallow and some complained about that.”
- “There are no twists or even that much character development.”
- “The most underwhelming story, character development, and dialogue that I've seen in a while.”