Game reviews: Rage

From the creators of Doom and Quake – two of the earliest and most genre-defining shooters in gaming history – comes Rage, a post-apocalyptic title that boasts technical power and a solid shooting mechanic

As an asteroid bears down over earth, your character enters cryogenic stasis inside The Ark, a subterranean fallout shelter that houses the world’s best and brightest minds.

Emerging some 106 years later to find the planet in ruins, you begin a dangerous and bloody quest for answers. Along the way, you also have to avoid the gaze of The Authority, a mysterious and oppressive organisation which rules Earth with an iron fist. Although Rage seems to have a lot in common with the Borderlands and Fallout series, it is not a role-playing game. There is no levelling up, nor any special perks to unlock, instead you’ve got an array of brutal weaponry, and tons of slick shooting.

In this respect, Rage can feel shallow at points, but id Software proves that it is still the master of its craft, with smart enemy AI, expert-level design and some truly stunning visuals. With a long storyline and a wealth of side-quests to complete, Rage can easily take in excess of 20 hours to complete, which puts other, more modern shooters to shame.

Throw in a multiplayer co-op mode, online race modes and plenty of hidden Easter eggs to discover, and you have a generous offering. Rage also stands as proof that sometimes, simplicity can amount to a more enjoyable experience overall.

•£44.99, PC/PS3/Xbox 360