Rage 2 Deals & Offers

The hotukdeals Guide to Cheap Rage 2 and Rage 2 Deals

Every year, the gaming community is fed a steady diet of first-person shooters, RPGs, and fighting games, but very few stand out from the crowd. ID Software's Rage 2 is unquestionably one of the biggest PS4, Xbox One, and PC action titles of the year, but does it emerge from the crowd with its reputation intact?

The first Rage title had its fans, but wasn't perfect. Have the developers come up with a significant enhancement with their sequel? This buyer's guide will investigate one of 2019's most hyped releases, and provide everything gamers need to know before they make a purchase, as well as helping you find cheap Rage 2 deals.

The Origins of Rage 2

Rage 2 comes from one of gaming's greatest production lines. As any child of the 90s will tell you, ID Software has an incredible track record of pushing the boundaries when it comes to 3D action games.

Founded by John Romero and John Carmack in 1991, the team gained a reputation via 3D shooters like Wolfenstein 3D and platformers like Commander Keen. But their big breakthrough came with the release of Doom in 1993. Mixing horror, adventure, and fighting elements, Doom's bloody action captivated gamers with its ground-breaking visuals and sense of humour. And when it emerged a couple of years later, Quake did precisely the same.

However, after the Quake franchise ran its course, ID lapsed into hibernation. Projects came and went, but nothing substantial appeared. At least, until the first Rage game surfaced in 2011.

A long time in the making, Rage (like its sequel) was published via Bethesda Softworks, and instantly gained an army of admirers. Set in a post-apocalypse scenario, the game harked back to Mad Max and Fallout, and pitted a lone warrior against shadowy, and tyrannical authorities.

Most people agreed that Rage was a fitting comeback for ID, and a direct descendant of Doom. But it wasn't perfect. Some questioned the quality of the storytelling, and others were underwhelmed with the set piece bosses. There was certainly room for a heavy-hitting sequel, so does Rage 2 deliver? Let's find out.

Rage 2: Introducing the Core Plot

First, let's set out some basics. Rage 2 had a release date of May 14, 2019, and has been created by Avalanche Studios for legendary publishers ID Software. And its a heavily plot-driven adventure, so getting up to speed with the story really matters.

Rage 2 occupies precisely the same game world as the first title, with a few significant tweaks. In the first titles, players roamed an environment scarred by the impact of Asteroid 99942 Apophis, where humanity clung on to the margins of the planet and society was barely functioning.

In Rage, we discovered that a group called The Authority had emerged to occupy the power vacuum, and the protagonist had to battle their representatives across a massive game world. This time around, the Authority remains, but times have changed.

Players take control of a character called Walker, who is awoken from a century of sleep to find the Authority in control. In the 30 years since the end of the first title, humans have developed ways to alter the earth's ecology, giving rise to new jungles, tundra wastes, and wetlands.

After witnessing his home settlement being wiped out by the Authority, Walker's task is to evade the Authority's assassins and to head off his enemies as they seek “nano-tech” required to achieve global dominance. So the stakes are high.

How Does the Rage 2 Gameplay Build on its Predecessor?

The Rage 2 game engine has been overhauled for the sequel, and some things leap out at players. The muted colours of the first game have been abandoned, and ID have opted for a bold palette for Rage 2 – creating a totally different atmosphere. While the first game was brooding and oppressive, the second is more lively and anarchic, and its comic book inspirations are easy to detect.

Aside from colour, combat is the core dynamic in Rage 2. ID have tried to give players outlandish fighting abilities, and over the top weapons – at least eventually. To obtain the materials necessary to build the best weapons, players have to explore the vast game world, seeking out “Arks” (essentially loot boxes) which provide the necessary components. Only then can they truly enjoy the combat mechanics that are the game's major selling point.

Arks aren't precisely spread out randomly. Instead of just roaming the world poking in bushes and huts, players are led through the main storyline, and acquire abilities as they go. Here's a quick rundown of some of the weapons to expect:

• Ranger Assault Rifle – An early acquisition for Walker, the Assault Rifle will probably stay in your arsenal throughout the game, thanks to its rapid firing and precision.

• Combat Shotgun – More potent than the rifle, and enhanced by the Far Shot ability, the Combat Shotgun is like a brutal mixture of shotgun and sniper rifle.

• Rocket Launchers – It may be hard to find ammunition for this beast, but the “Smart” Rocket Launcher is a devastating weapon. Featuring shells which split into homing missiles, it's a great way to take out multiple targets at once.

• Hyper-Cannon – Launched from the hip, this monster unleashes a beam of force that can rip through crowds of bandits or mutants in seconds.

• BFG-9000 – Instantly familiar to all Doom players, the BFG-9000 needs to be sought out (you'll get instructions about how to do so), but its brutality makes the effort worthwhile.

The Rage 2 Story

The story itself, while absorbing and full of action, isn't everything the game has to offer. It's quite short, and when you're done, the whole world is available to explore.

Enemies vary, with bandits taking centre stage, but expect mutant nests and plenty of Authority sentries. There are also non-player characters to team up with as you continue the storyline, alongside some formidable bosses.

Vehicles also play a central role in Rage 2. Much of the time, you'll whiz around the Wasteland in your trusty 4x4, but Mad Max-style gyrocopters are also available to pilot.

Abilities also combine with weapons to make combat more varied. For instance, you can acquire Slam abilities to carry out devastating (but energy sapping) attacks, or use Dash to evade almost any attackers. And there are also “trade towns” along the way, where you can make purchases and interact with NPCs – in standard RPG fashion.

Finally, ID and Avalanche have included what are known as Rage 2 Coins. These micro-transactions can be purchased via third-party vendors, and act as an in-game currency to buy weapons and tools.

So, essentially, Rage 2 is an open-world action role-playing game with the familiar mix of vehicles, weapons, abilities, characters, and core missions. There's little here to surprise hardened gamers, just a beautifully rendered world and a short, but gripping story.

Is Rage 2 Multiplayer?

Although ID trailed Rage 2 with hints about multiplayer elements and “social gaming”, the finished product released in May 2019 does not feature multiplayer at all.

So, there's no chance to log onto Bethesda's servers to take on all-comers in set-piece battles, and you can't team up with friends on the same PS4 to defeat the Authority. ID Software has promised to introduce social elements further down the line, such as time trials for specific missions. But this is a far cry from proper multiplayer gaming, so many players will be disappointed.

The original Rage had a couple of popular multiplayer modes. In Road Rage, players could battle it out in a Destruction Derby-style arena. And cooperative adventuring was the basis for Wasteland Legends. Both had their fans, so it would seem logical for ID to include more multiplayer modes with the sequel. However, this isn't actually the case.

Rage 2: Different Buying Options

If you want to explore the Wastelands and blow away Walker's foes, there are a few platforms to purchase the game on:

• Rage 2 PS4 – The game has been released in download and disc format for the PS4, and comes in a couple of editions. The Standard version just features the single player game and nothing else. The Deluxe Edition bundles in the Rise of the Ghosts DLR pack boosts abilities for novice gamers and adds a few cheat codes for good measure.

• Rage 2 Xbox One – The story is similar for Xbox One. In this case, the game has been enhanced for the Xbox One X, so owners of Microsoft's premium console can expect 4K visuals and smoother action. Players have exactly the same choice of options: the no-frills Standard edition, or the extras that come with the Deluxe version.

• Rage 2 PC – Available for download from Steam, the PC version is almost exactly the same as those for the PS4 and Xbox One. The Steam download page also includes the option of adding some Rage 2 coins, which help players beef up their attack capabilities without needing to roam the entire Wastelands.

What Have the Gaming Critics Made of Rage 2?

Does all of this add up to a revolutionary gaming experience in the classic ID Software tradition? Probably not. Rage 2 review feedback has been mediocre at best, with many critical reviews from leading publications.

For example, Games Radaronly felt able to award the game 3 stars out of 5. The reviewer had warm words to say about the combat system, which felt fluid and responsive. The chance to combine abilities to create custom-made attacks was welcome, evoking “Doom in an open world” with its smoothness. But the story was too short, multiplayer was nowhere to be found, and the reviewer concluded that Rage 2 just didn't feel like the “complete package” when launched.

Trusted Reviews was a little more positive, giving Rage 2 4/5. Its reviewer praised the colourful open world environment and was effusive about the precision of Rage 2's combat system. The range of weapons excited its analyst, resulting in some exhilarating fighting scenes. However, the same criticisms surfaced, such as the tedious open world and the short storyline.

These sentiments are echoed by the game's Metacritic scores, which generally hover around the 70% range for Xbox, PS4 and PC (and lower when gamer scores are taken into account). So the evidence suggests that the launch version of Rage 2 is no triumph.

What About DLC for Rage 2 – Will the Launch Game Be Enhanced?

However, don't abandon Rage 2 just yet. As Games Radar noted, it felt unfinished at launch, but ID Software have made numerous commitments to add downloadable content in the future, and this could make a big difference.

Here are the core elements planned for the game's DLC over the year after release:

• New vehicles including one wheelers.

• New weapon skins

• Wasteland Challenges with a social media element

• Extra cheat codes at regular intervals

• “World Events” allowing players to compete with those around the world. This includes the Mutant Derby race event.

• Most importantly, the DLC schedule also includes the Rise of the Ghosts Expansion Pack (planned for August 2019). This will be paid content (unless you purchase the Deluxe Edition) and should bring back the Ghost Faction from Rage 1. It should add a much deeper storyline to the sequel, with added weapons and characters.

So, when you take DLC into account, some of the criticisms of reviewers and players will become less acute. There will be more storylines to discover, and World Events should provide a way to interact with other gamers. It's not pure multiplayer, and events will be time-limited, but it offers much more than the single player only action offered by Rage 2 at launch.

This means that buyers have a couple of options.

Firstly, it might make sense to buy the Deluxe edition, as it opens up DLC when it becomes available, and there won't be any need to pay extra fees. Buying DLC separately is almost always a more expensive option, and there's a good chance that it will be a game-changer where Rage 2 is concerned.

Alternatively, buyers could hold off and wait. There's no guarantee that Rage 2's add-ons will deliver improved gameplay and better value. Savvy gamers may prefer to read reviews as DLC is released, and concentrate on titles like Metro Exodus or Apex Legends instead.

Buying the Standard edition may seem like the cheapest option, but it could be a false economy if you feel the need to upgrade – something that buyers should keep in mind.

RAGE 2 – Official Launch Trailer

How and When to Get Hold of Rage 2

By now you're probably wondering where to buy Rage 2, or you've made up your mind that the game isn't for you. If you've been seduced by the intense fighting action on offer, there are plenty of ways to find unbeatable Rage 2 deals – and paying full price definitely isn't necessary.

The best way to find cheap Rage 2 prices is to search for the game via hotukdeals. Our listings cover all of the UK's biggest gaming retailers, including Steam, Xbox Live, and the PlayStation Network. You'll find downloads and disc deals from GAME, Smyths, Amazon, Very, and CDKeys, with both Standard and Deluxe editions well represented.

If you want to save extra cash, delaying your purchase could well pay dividends. For instance, you'll almost certainly find an attractive Rage 2 discount around the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales event in November. As this comes after the DLC is released, it may be a better time to decide whether Rage 2 is the game you've been waiting for.

Whatever you decide, there's only one way to guarantee that you pay as little as possible for ID Software's latest creation. Instead of paying full price for downloads or discs, head to the hotukdeals listings for the newest gaming reductions.

Dominate the Wastelands for Less With Rage 2 Discounts from hotukdeals

Set in a world on the verge of destruction, Rage 2 offers an intense dose of colourful fighting action. Featuring precise weapon control, creative weapon combinations, and an engaging storyline, Bethesda's latest shooter, is destined to be one of 2019's gaming highlights. Find the ideal edition for less by making a purchase from the Rage 2 hotukdeals listings.