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Why id Software’s RAGE is going to suck

Why id Software’s RAGE is going to suck

Id Software’s RAGE is poised to be released sometime next year. There’s a lot of hype surrounding the game, as gamers always have high expectations for John Carmack, his latest game engines their impressive 3D tech. The man who brought us Wolfenstein 3D and Doom provides major releases but a few times a decade these days, so there are plenty of reasons to be excited about his latest project. As confident as people are beginning to feel about RAGE, however, I can’t shake the feeling that the game is going to be a significant disappointment. I think RAGE is going to suck.

Perhaps suck is too strong a word. Perhaps everything is going to be just fine. Perhaps the game is released and people really do enjoy playing it. Trouble is brewing in Texas, though—I can feel it. Between graphics complaints, tired plot devices and console development, I’m beginning to see ingredients to the perfect storm that just might make RAGE a game that sucks.

On the subject of ID Tech 5’s graphical capabilities, I’m just going to get this one out of the way: I’m not impressed. Despite the engine’s use of advanced mapping techniques, there just isn’t much depth to in-game surfaces. Three years after release, Crysis still appears to have more detail in its environments than RAGE does. I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention that RAGE still uses skyboxes–a 15-year-old concept– rather than Crysis’ dynamic volumetric clouds.

None of this is to say that RAGE has bad graphics, but it is to say that RAGE isn’t the show-stopping bar-raiser that we’ve come to expect from id Software.

There isn't much depth to surfaces in RAGE.

Surface depth? What surface depth?

Now, there are some positives to Tech 5’s visuals in RAGE. For starters, the engine’s implementation of MegaTextures (learn more) looks great, which truly makes distant textures crisp and detailed. Soft shadowing also looks significantly improved over the hard-edged shadows of ID Tech 4 (see: Doom 3).

The character models in RAGE look stellar as well. Despite falling well short of their initial bullshots, the character models are one of the highlights of the engine. In fact, they may be too good, because the rest of the engine doesn’t keep up with them.

Talking textures

RAGE’s use of MegaTextures is, as previously stated, pretty fantastic. When you get in close, however, especially with indoor environments, asset textures look downright bad. The textures are blurry, lack in detail and suffer a nasty bump map (learn more) thrown over top for good measure. One imagines that texture fidelity would be a hot commodity in such a high-tech game, but that just isn’t the case based on the media that’s been released so far.

Sadly, RAGE seems to throw sharp and detailed characters into a world that lacks definition up close–click on any of the images within this article to see what I mean. It makes the characters look out of place.

Why would such a limitation exist in RAGE? I have a theory, but you’re not going to like it.

The lowest common denominator: consoles

Consoles are at fault for the bad textures in RAGE. I know, I know. . . John Carmack himself has stated that there will be no noticeable differences between the console and PC versions, and that the console versions aren’t hindering PC development. This sentiment is new and reassu–wait, no it isn’t. The fact of the matter is this: no matter how much potential the current generation of consoles might have, developing for them is still developing for the lowest common denominator.

Some apologists might argue that the current crop of screencaps are from the Xbox 360 version of RAGE, and that the PC version will offer superior fidelity. But when you stop for a moment to consider that all of the screenshots were taken at a higher resolution than what’s possible on any of the consoles, I’m thinking we need to fear the worst.

She may have nice legs, but that wall looks like ass.

The story. . . oh LORD the story. . .

Contemporary game developers love the post-apocalyptic near future. For example, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. and its two sequels, Metro 2033, Fallout 3, and Borderlands apparently weren’t enough to satisfy the obsession with brown and dirty environments. But RAGE is different because it has vehicles and racing and bandits, oh my! Right.

I was once a big fan of post-apocalyptic anything, but the setting has totally worn out its welcome.

Perhaps worse than the setting of RAGE is its story. Not much is known about the full plot of the game, but developers have stated that you play as a man who was a resident of this underground vault thingy when something went awry. You emerge as the sole survivor with no knowledge of yourself or the past. You are, wait for it. . . an amnesiac. The rest of the game involves you learning about yourself, and seeing where you fit into the whole big picture.

Really, ID? . . .REALLY? Can you just see the pitch meeting for the game’s story?

An enthusiastic employee with a cue stick points at a storyboard: “I’ve got this AWESOME idea that’s never been done before! It’s be about a guy who wakes up in a post-apocalyptic wasteland some time in the future. He has no clue who he is. The game takes the player on a journey of self-discovery ending in the revelation that he was the bad guy all along!”

I don’t know how RAGE actually ends, but I swear that making the main character an amnesiac is simply an excuse to throw in a “WHAT A TWIST” moment.

I can't wait to discover who the hero REALLY is!

The amnesia trope has been done so many times that it’s hard to list all of the recent games that have featured the device: F.E.A.R., S.T.A.L.K.E.R., Dragon Age: Origins, The Witcher, BioShock, and Knights of the Old Republic are just the tip of the iceberg.

The name

Finally, they named the game RAGE. RAGE is what I get just thinking about such a crappy title. Did the writers cruise through Encyclopedia Dramatica after they ran out of ideas?

Final thoughts

I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for all of id Software’s titles, so I genuinely want RAGE to be a good game. However, the company’s recent efforts–coughDoom3cough–hardly impressed, and it makes me wonder if John Carmack can still make a good game, or if he should hang up the IDE and stick to technology development. I fear the lackluster visuals in RAGE are simply proof for the latter.

I sincerely hope Carmack proves me wrong.

Comments

  1. _k
    _k In FEAR you really aren't the bad guy you are just his brother.
  2. NiGHTS
    NiGHTS Speaking as someone who doesn't really know much about engines but knows that Doom and Quake's were popular choices, do you expect this to be the next engine of choice for future games (and therefore prohibiting power and eyecandy advances)?

    Or is that more a function of cheap licensing, using something that's easier to port to pc, etc.?
  3. PP xbox360 version is gonna out shine the out dated pc any given day,u pc nerds need to realise pc gaming is over Alan Wake looks like DX12 game and u lot are stuck with DX11 talk about last gen.
  4. Sledgehammer70
    Sledgehammer70 PP I hope you're joking.... PC games to this date outshine consoles any day. Look at BFBC2 for instant... Full DX11 and eye candy on PC outpaces the consoles any day. The power of the PC is still top dog for quality.

    This statement is coming from a PC, Xbox360, PS3 & Wii owner. Along with a person who has worked in the gaming industry.
  5. UPSLynx
    UPSLynx PP. PLEASE! WRITE FOR ICRONTIC! We need exclusive details on what DirectX 12 looks like, and what it is capable of. This is the story of the century.

    NiGHTS - It's really a tossup. Obviously, the Quake 2 engine was one of id's works that gained a massive amount of traction in other games, but then Tech 4 (Doom 3) was used in very few games. Tech 2 engine scaled phenomenally and was easily extensible, Tech 4 was everything but. Hopefully, id sets Tech 5 up to be an engine that can go the distance.

    My sarcasm in this piece aside, I think that id Tech 5 has massive potential as a graphics engine.
  6. greyfox25 "xbox360 version is gonna out shine the out dated pc any given day,u pc nerds need to realise pc gaming is over Alan Wake looks like DX12 game and u lot are stuck with DX11 talk about last gen."
    -PP

    Um..really? are you that naive? PC will always have stronger capability as far as graphics. I have all the consoles. They are what I game on admittedly. It's just what I like, but the technology in consoles is static as far as hardware once it is launched. At that point what developers can do is limited to that hardware. PC is no different other than the fact that the technology that can be purchased specifically for gaming (processors, graphics cards, physics cards, sound cards, etc) has moved beyond the consoles providing developers with more possibilities and opportunities for any means of development. Crysis 2 is a perfect example. Compare the graphical effects incorporated for the PC version to the consoles.
  7. greyfox25 PS. UPSLynx. 4E!
  8. Thrax
    Thrax GUYS.

    DIRECTX 12.

    OMFG.
  9. shwaip
    shwaip RAGE. Rage will keep them in line. RAGE of this battle station...
  10. primesuspect
    primesuspect The more tightly you RAGE the more RAGE will slip through your fingers...
  11. Chip-Dapper
    Chip-Dapper I'm currently working with Internet Explorer 14. You guys are last gen.
  12. Canti
    Canti
    PP wrote:
    xbox360 version is gonna out shine the out dated pc any given day,u pc nerds need to realise pc gaming is over Alan Wake looks like DX12 game and u lot are stuck with DX11 talk about last gen.

    I'm trying so hard to ignore your absolutely atrocious spelling, grammar, and complete disregard for punctuation so I can focus on the ignorance of the meaning behind your comment. So very hard, but I can't because it hurts too much. Plz lern 2 spell and than may be ppl will cunsidurr takin u srsly pp.

    Anyway, people still make console games? People still PLAY console games?! This is news to me. I guess it just has to be accepted that games developed for multiple systems will always be limited by the least powerful of them.

    The post-apocalyptic thing may be stale but somehow that isn't hurting it's appeal in games, movies, or anything to be honest. Like it or not it isn't going anywhere so long as it keeps making money.

    Amnesia has been a recurring and somewhat silly plot device in everything for close to 100 years so seeing this in RAGE is :rolleyes:. When was amnesia used in Dragon Age: Origins though? I played through it twice and don't remember it. OH SHI! Maybe I have amnesia!
  13. ardichoke
    ardichoke Enjoy your inferior pixel density there PP.

    That's all I'm going to say about the obvious (though possibly unintentional) troll in the room.
  14. Cliff_Forster
    Cliff_Forster John Carmack was pretty much in the same position that George Lucas was in when he released the Star Wars Prequels.

    Die hard fans of Star Wars were going to be let down because of impossible expectations. Die hard fans hated The Phantom Menace, but the more causal fans, and the eight year old boys in the audience thought it was one of the finest films they had ever seen. Fact is, its an entertaining film, but its just not The Empire Strikes Back.

    Look at John Carmack. First Person action gamers worship the man. Wolfenstein 3D and Doom were instantly innovative, nothing like it had come before. He more or less invented our favorite genre. Frankly, if not for Quake II, I'm not sure I would have ever gotten into PC gaming. Return to Castle Wolfenstein showed people that team based multiplayer could have depth and still be fun as hell, and the flame thrower in that game, the graphics at the time, it was just jaw dropping.

    So, what happened? Doom 3, and Quake 4, both good games, solid titles, fun, and honestly, they look pretty damn good, but there is not one single innovative thing about them. In the case of Doom 3, Half Life 2 came out nearly the same time, and most gamers agreed, Half Life 2 innovated a genre that was starting to feel stale.

    So id and John Carmack could make a great title, but unless its astounding, unless its the next stop forward, unless its truly innovative, everyone will be disappointed because thats what we came to expect from them early on. I hope they do it because I have always been a fan.
  15. UPSLynx
    UPSLynx Couldn't have said it better myself, Cliff. Maybe we were just more easily impressed back then because the genre was so new, it didn't require massive innovation. id developed the run and gun FPS, and that is still just about the only thing they do with their FPS games. Today, that formula is so tired in itself, maybe that is why we stopped caring as much.
    greyfox25 wrote:
    PS. UPSLynx. 4E!

    haha! I see what you did there.
  16. kryyst
    kryyst I agree with most of the reasons you stated as to why RAGE is going to suck. While I wouldn't personally say suck I would replace suck with 'forgettable'. It'll be a case of OH it's like Fallout only with XYZ or it's kinda like Borderlands but does ABC.

    The fact is that while graphics may grab the eye gameplay is still king and when it comes to post apocalyptic settings you can't get better then Fallout 3 or Borderlands. They are two nearly perfect games in their own areas. They have some crossovers but they are different enough that they offer up a different experience. Fallout 3 could certainly benefit from better graphics, which isn't to say that it's bad, but since they opted for a more realistic approach it could always strive for better.

    Borderlands on the other hand took a cell shaded approach, which is a love it/hate it affair for some people. Personally I love cell shaded because it gives the creators more liberties then when they go for a realistic look and the technical benefits are there as well when it comes to performance.

    So Rage may be impressive in some technical aspects but unless it's better overall then Fallout 3 or Borderlands then it will be forgotten, because it'll be relegated to the distinction of Yet Another....
  17. Smith author just sounds like a dick.. not one of those points makes any sense or backs up shit..
  18. Thrax
    Thrax Except for the graphical concerns and narrative criticisms, both of which can be objectively considered, you're totally right.
  19. BuddyJ
    BuddyJ
    Smith wrote:
    author just sounds like a dick.. not one of those points makes any sense or backs up shit..

    your post just sounds like a dick post.. not one of your points makes any sense or backs up shit..
  20. BobbyDigi
    BobbyDigi
    Smith wrote:
    Smith wrote:
    Smith wrote:
    Smith wrote:
    Smith wrote:
    author just sounds like a dick.. not one of those points makes any sense or backs up shit..
    author just sounds like a dick.. not one of those points makes any sense or backs up shit..
    author just sounds like a dick.. not one of those points makes any sense or backs up shit..
    author just sounds like a dick.. not one of those points makes any sense or backs up shit..
    author just sounds like a dick.. not one of those points makes any sense or backs up shit..
    Sorry: your post could not be taken seriously due to a self referencing error
    
  21. Snarkasm
  22. Dirk I thought the pictures looked fine and maybe the reason the game is due out next year is they still have work to do on the engine? Complaining about ID not getting the job done when they tell you themselves the job is done is really stupid. I say wait and see then critique all you want.
  23. JC Rage is just a PoC game to showcase the capabilities of the engine.
    This has always been the strategy of ID Software, and I dont expect it to change. Critiquing the game under a microscope is useless, and pretty futile. Also, not much info has been released regarding the engine, and I believe you are assuming a good amount of your points.
    I'd like you to rewrite this review in a year, and from a strictly engine point of view, instead of a game review.
  24. Bhushan you idiot, ur site sucks. remember these guys invent FPS and the tech director of ID do rocket science! stop posting such shit when you don't have anything to prove....
  25. impaler PP you have no idea do you. I play mainly on console's esp PS3 but thats cuz im lazy and like the simplicity of them but growing up with computer's since the commodore 64 from a young age i have to say your a twat. have fun xbot
  26. kryyst
    kryyst Can someone remind me again why we let guests post?
  27. xino farking trash site!
    game is not even out yet or we don't even know that much details on the game:/
  28. Thrax
    Thrax
    kryyst wrote:
    Can someone remind me again why we let guests post?

    Because the 'tards make us money. It's delicious.
  29. kryyst
    kryyst
    Thrax wrote:
    Because the 'tards make us money. It's delicious.

    That is a good reason.
  30. Gustave SNAAAAAKE FEEL THE RAAGE AARGGH
  31. Dan Haha PP went and started a good old flame war because you PC nerds had to go and acknowledge what was clearly trolling. YOU BOTH LOOK RETARDED HERE. Notice how the article is about Rage, and how it might or might not suck. Then notice what this thread is turning into. My two cents, fuck the engine if it's fun to play im buying it.
  32. TheGSK stupid article by an obvious GRAPHICS WHORE nuff said
  33. Thrax
    Thrax
    TheGSK wrote:
    stupid article by an obvious GRAPHICS WHORE nuff said

    mad cuz bad
  34. Linc
    Linc @Bobby1211 Brilliant.

    I'm going to look into a grammar filter for guest comments. :crazy:
  35. Leonardo
    Leonardo literacy filter?
  36. fred i dont think the low res textures have anything to do with RAGE being a console port!. textures are just bitmaps and you can replace them to match X or Y hardware. the problem might be in carmack avoiding using any kind of procedural texturization!. remember that statement?. so if you use low compression bitmaps you should see blurry images because of the Memory constrain making its appearence at full. i would say today standards are pretty high with 512 mb the lowest PC is gonna look twice as any console release, at minimum and topping at 4 times higher memory (2GB) coparisson its out of reach of consoles.
  37. Again fred i think we all are graphic WH0RES!, do you fell like playing Atari 2600 as main game device?. dont think so!.
  38. Canti
    Canti trollsu.jpg
    Lincoln wrote:
    @Bobby1211 Brilliant.

    I'm going to look into a grammar filter for guest comments. :crazy:

    FUND IT
  39. crefoe Doom3 was great.. the story was a game story..the fuck is your problem nerd ..go get some fresh air already.
    LOSER.
  40. UPSLynx
    UPSLynx
    I'd like you to rewrite this review in a year, and from a strictly engine point of view, instead of a game review.

    Deal.

    I regret that I've been so busy that I haven't been able to read these comments. This is fantastic.
  41. CyrixInstead
    CyrixInstead Brilliant, reminds of the IonFizzle days...

    ~Cyrix
  42. frags So I was not the only person that noticed these things. LOL about the static skybox. Maybe they should stick to indoor settings. What worries me is that as you said id doesn't have a reputation for making great games.

    If you counted Doom to be a masterpiece simply because of it being the first of its kind, it was simply a technical masterpiece because no one else did anything close to it those days. But today, the situation is very different.
  43. ardichoke
    ardichoke I always question Doom being credited as "the first of it's kind". I mean... Wolfenstein 3D came out a year before Doom and it is basically the same thing... just with Nazis instead of demons (granted id made Wolfenstein too)
  44. Shoodem Yea I wish they hadn't gone the exact Fallout route when it comes to the setting. It's that one detail; that the player has survived in an "ark" that earns them a repulsion effect from anyone who's heard about Fallout.

    Aside from that detail I'm not worried a lot about Rage copying others. It has it's own niche in a way: a modern sp shooter in this setting. And that's one thing id can make, a good shooter and that's also something I felt the games Rage has been compared to (Fallout 3, Borderlands) didn't really succeed in.

    But much remains to be seen. Quakecon's coming up, I'll review my position afterwards.
  45. UPSLynx
    UPSLynx I regret that I was unable to see RAGE at E3 this week. I tried to get in at Bethesda, but they were overbooked before I even stepped foot in the convention center.

    Would have been nice to have return impressions after seeing the game with my own eyes.
  46. NOPE iD Software was soldout from underneath John Carmack by Todd Hollenshead, Todd hollenshead killed the companies SOUL for Profit he bought into the Bethesda InterActive Edutainment Pavillion and Nursing Home the Zenimarxist state of DESTROYING games companies and Pimping games that crash every MINUTE or so (fallout 3 anyone) do you wonder why they named that game FALLOUT for they should have named it SUB-STATION 14 and based it of the CHERNOBYL DISASTER Oh... wait GSC did that didn't they (S.T.A.L.K.E.R) well at least STALKER DIDN'T CRASH EVERY 1 MINUTE and DIDN'T INSTALL PRE-ALPHA .NIT GHERKINWERK and Games for windows NINETY-F@&KING-FIVE DID IT NICE RUSH JOB BETHSOFT THANKS A LOT. AND DLC STINKS WHEN I PAY FOR A GAME I EXPECT IT'S THE FULL VERSION! I Don't like paying $120 for a HALF-COMPLETED game
  47. UPSLynx
  48. primesuspect
    primesuspect ....

    .nit gherkinwerk? :wtf:
  49. BobbyDigi
    BobbyDigi And in the 8th hour, Icrontic had another one word Googlewhack: gherkinwerk

    -Digi
  50. kryyst
    kryyst I ran that post through babble-fish and ironically it translated it into something intelligible. Turns out what he was saying was rather simple and poignant.
    I'm a shiny diamond. Please somebody love me
  51. dakan45 I AM AMAZED by how many IDIOTS post here without making any points on why the the author is wrong.

    He is right about what he is saying, the settng, the features the story have all been done before to death. I guess its this era of modern war fps and post apocalyptic sandbox games.

    I AGREE totally on graphics, look at the well trailer, so mnay blurry objects and it was demoed on a PC!!!!

    Proof? E appearing on the screen as a use button, i dont think rage is gonna suck though.

    Why?

    See, we got fallout 3, great game but shooting was too rpgish, and you spended sooo much time exploring identical dungeons and the main quest did not kept you interesting.

    We also got borderlands with its poopy cellshaded graphics and total lack of interesting singleplayer and the entire game being a shooting fest that you level up.

    Rage on the other hand has a solid linear main quest with few secondary quests and interesting unique and varied ares to expore. On top of that its a FPS , it has SOLID FPS gunplay and does not feel "meh" due to rpg gameplay, on top of that races with solid driving.

    So, "the next big fps" gamers are gonna play this as a fps with solid gameplay and alot of extras rather as a rpg/sanbox mix and instead of playing either a linear fps or a sandbox rpg we play something in the middle.
  52. mertesn
    mertesn
    dakan45 wrote:
    I AM AMAZED by how many IDIOTS post here without making any points on why the the author is wrong.
    The original article was done over a year ago so a lot of information has come out that wasn't available then.

    So yeah, thanks for playing.
  53. Koreish
    Koreish
    mertesn wrote:
    The original article was done over a year ago so a lot of information has come out that wasn't available then.

    So yeah, thanks for playing.

    No no. Everything on the internet was written last Thursday.
  54. Preacher
    Preacher
    Koreish wrote:
    No no. Everything on the internet was written last Thursday.

    How did they do that? Does it involve gherkinwerk?
  55. Canti
    Canti
    dakan45 wrote:
    poopy cellshaded graphics

    I bet you thought Wind Waker was for children and Killer7 was too cartoony. Actually I'd be surprised if you've ever even heard of Killer7.

    /me responding to a buttmad guest post? It's more likely than you think.
  56. Canti
    Canti Also, RAGE still hasn't been released? What are they doing?
  57. UPSLynx
    UPSLynx Doesn't matter. It's still going to suck.
  58. Preacher
    Preacher Why ya ragin' at the ID, Lynxy?
  59. shwaip
    shwaip willsmith_i_aint_even_mad.jpg
  60. UPSLynx
    UPSLynx
    Preacher wrote:
    Why ya ragin' at the ID, Lynxy?

    Read the piece, yo!

    I love ID. I think RAGE will blow. They haven't impressed me with early materials.
  61. PirateNinja
  62. JustanOutsider Few things

    1. As stated, the storyline has been done before and will continue as long as it makes money. If you don't like it then find a different reason to play, if thats all you play for then don't play. It is a fun story to play and even though you've seen a million times you don't buy the game for just that, but the package itself. No need to cry about it. In the end the game will make the money spent on it off of hype alone.

    2. The graphics will probably be "far" better on PC then the consoles, because PC's can be upgraded to increase capability and consoles can't (the short version). Do the homework and you will see why upgrading hard and software makes things like that better (Crysis). Graphics don't make or break a game. If anyone on here is at least thirty then you remember PAC-MAN, and TETRIS and possibly PONG. When I was a kid i played pokemon (red version all day). It wasn't the graphics but what I did in the game that made me play. Graphics are important, but the consoles have been out for awhile and the PC can only get so much better. Over time the "next big leap" in graphics will happen (such as playstation 1 to playstation 2 and later playstation 3). This type of stuff doesn't happen overnight and yes the hype did make things bigger than they appear to be, but it beats CoD graphics and Halo graphics. People play the shit out of those instead of Crysis 2, so is it really about that.

    3. Games in general will always be speculated on. Someone will always have something to say and people will always talk shit because they can (that's the unconsious reason telephones were invented (if you remember that phones came before internet and don't complain about talking to your friends). At the end of the day, forums like this are pointless. Let someone talk about how they feel and then make them feel good by actually giving a damn. I am one of those people sadly since I am commenting. There are good games and bad games. Rage will be what you wan't to be. I would suggest trying it (via friend who owns or rent) and then determine if it is worth the money.

    Final point to consider. Only the truly hardcore players still play the original call of duty right. Only people who have bonded to the game for some dam reason that I don't understand. Get your hands on it when it comes out give it a quick run. If you won't play it 5 years from now then it isn't worth it (or until next gen consoles appear). Pick up a book or start a collection of games you like to pass on to your kids. If your a kid then play whatever makes you happy and socially acceptable. The main thing to get out of this is, don't waste others time talking all the shit in the world about why something sucks. Be professional or leave it to the pro's. Write neutrally about the pro's and con's (and please god consider that the nothing that's come out thus far is as graphically captivating as real life).

    For instance, the graphics in comparison to the Crysis games in my opinion are not as detailed or rich. However, they do outshine many similiar games which is a good reason to try it out (enjoy the minor upgrade). The story is tried and true. Not anything innovative, but (as far as we've seen which is about jack sht) should be worth a trial or two. Features in the game promise to keep the action and replay relatively good, but it won't last forever. If fallout and borderlands are your thing, and you wan't a taste of Crysis without the futuristic combat, then this game should be worth the time.

    Leave hype and it's promises out of it. Everything has hype, what matters is what it can do and since no one here has played the game (or at least long enough to say it really is bad which it won't be because it isn't like your paying 60 for prey 1) no one can say what it will be or what it wont. Your opinions are important to you, but when I view these pages I expect to see factual evidence that supports such a statement as "id Software's Rage is going to suck".
  63. JustanOutsider Yea, its long, but it's worth reading, unlike the rest of the page. Unless you're bored, as I was.
  64. JustanOutsider Also in regards to the picture of the girl with "nice legs". It's those legs that will attract my more permanent attention. Not the dam wall. I run past walls.
  65. Thrax
    Thrax I love id software, because every humanoid looks like it's been smeared in vaseline and encased in saran wrap.
  66. Jamoy I say damn development first for consoles this game proves the hell that their hardware is outdated. All games should be made for computer to the highest available quality that a PC can run then they should cater for the consoles not the other way around... Also rage dosn't have enough guns... Pistol shotgun smg assault rifle and that silly crossbow thing.. I wont buy this one
  67. Jason Some nobody says its going to suck compared to countless well known gamer sites and mags that have said it is awesome? Well Im convinced. Cancelling my reserve!
  68. Canti
    Canti Hear that Lynx? You a nobody. A NOBODY!
  69. UPSLynx
    UPSLynx I only drink champagne from the finest Ford Edsel hubcaps.

    No one at IGN can claim that.
  70. BobbyDigi
    BobbyDigi Jason says UPSLynx is a Nobody

    It is common knowledge that Nobody's Perfect

    Therefor UPSLynx is Perfect

    Yup, Rage Sucks.

    -Digi
  71. UPSLynx
    UPSLynx Couldn't have put it better myself, Digi.
  72. Ryder
    Ryder
    BobbyDigi wrote:
    Jamoy says UPSLynx is a Nobody

    It is common knowledge that Nobody's Perfect

    Therefor UPSLynx is Perfect

    Yup, Rage Sucks.

    -Digi
    Jason actually.
  73. UPSLynx
    UPSLynx Ben Kuchera giving us some Real Talkâ„¢ on RAGE:

    http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2011/10/rage-is-the-gamiest-game-that-ever-gamed.ars

    It's funny, on Twitter today he was mentioning how EGM has EXCLUSIVE FIRST ACCESS REVIEW on the game, and guess what? They gave it a 9.5. Shocking.

    I trust Ars more than any other online publication for game reviews because Ben is the real deal. You know Ars didn't get paid off for this review. And behold - RAGE sucks.
  74. Cliff_Forster
    Cliff_Forster
    UPSLynx wrote:
    Ben Kuchera giving us some Real Talkâ„¢ on RAGE:

    http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2011/10/rage-is-the-gamiest-game-that-ever-gamed.ars

    It's funny, on Twitter today he was mentioning how EGM has EXCLUSIVE FIRST ACCESS REVIEW on the game, and guess what? They gave it a 9.5. Shocking.

    I trust Ars more than any other online publication for game reviews because Ben is the real deal. You know Ars didn't get paid off for this review. And behold - RAGE sucks.

    Ars is a consistently great site on all fronts. I'll still reserve judgement, but my impression from that review and the game-play I have seen is this is merely going to be a sorta, kinda, almost good game vs. anything extraordinary. It's a shame, it seems like id has become a mid tier developer and is no longer able to innovate. They are not a relevant player in the genre they created.
  75. kryyst
    kryyst The reviews are rolling consensus is generally that it's a great looking game has lots of fun elements to it, play time is about 10-13hrs. It doesn't really push any boundaries but what it does it does well. In other words a typical ID game.
  76. primesuspect
    primesuspect It sounds exactly like Doom 3. "OMG AMAZING LOOK" and then the game is boring and stupid.
  77. MAGIC
    MAGIC It will suck because when I originally heard the title I thought it was a remake of the old Rage fighting game for SEGA with the badass dinosaurs.
  78. BobbyDigi
    BobbyDigi
    MAGIC wrote:
    It will suck because when I originally heard the title I thought it was a remake of the old Rage fighting game for SEGA with the badass dinosaurs.

    Primal Rage!

    *this post in memory of all the quarters spent on Primal Rage in the arcade*

    -Digi
  79. UPSLynx
    UPSLynx Oh Lord, if RAGE were a Primal Rage remake, I would buy ALL THE COPIES.
  80. UPSLynx
    UPSLynx It does make me sad that ID has lost their touch. I mean, they CREATED the FPS. We all have fond memories of playing their early games and using their engines (the amount of time I spent of Quake 2 engine games, specifically Half-Life, will never be surpassed by another engine).

    Thing is, technically speaking, they don't even push boundaries anymore. Sure RAGE looks good, but what has it changed? Where did the engine innovate? Mega Textures is pretty much all they've got, and while that is cool it's not a game changer.
  81. PirateNinja
    PirateNinja I'm sure Rage is marginal, but just a few thoughts on the engine:
    It is still really impressive that id is doing most everything with their own code to the point where they can legally release this as open source some day.
    It's also extremely cool that the engine is apparently so developer friendly and that it can run on so many different platforms without major modifications.

    From a developer's standpoint, having extreme flexibility and the ability to quickly learn and use an engine provides a lot of benefits ... especially when it is made clear up front what the engine is and is not for.

    With that being said not all of the features in the engine have been made public. I'm hoping Rage is just to get some cash flow, and Doom 4 blows our minds. I'm hoping hoping hoping.

    Basically I just don't want to jump on the id lost their touch bandwagon based on Rage, I'll wait for Doom4.
  82. primesuspect
    primesuspect I'm basing it on Doom 3, Quake 4, and Rage.
  83. PirateNinja
    PirateNinja
    I'm basing it on Doom 3, Quake 4, and Rage.

    sad =(
    Now I feel like I'm in denial.
  84. primesuspect
    primesuspect id lost me when I paid $50 for Doom III. I was SO excited for that game. I was a fanboy. I was a believer.

    Then I played it. And it sucked ass. Bad.

    Then I shelved all that and got excited for Quake 4. Boom! Quake! What could go wrong? IT'S QUAKE. Some of the best gaming memories of my life were from Quake.

    I paid $40 for it. Then I played it. And it sucked ass. Bad.

    I was done then and there.
  85. Garg
    Garg I keep forgetting there even was a Quake 4. I know exactly nothing about it, but it sounds like I'm not missing out.
  86. primesuspect
  87. UPSLynx
    UPSLynx Yeah, Quake 4 was awful.

    I don't know what it is - did ID forget how to tell a story and make a proper fun game, or have they gone the way of DNF and just get way outside relevancy with modern shooter mechanics?

    It sounds like they tried to do interesting things in RAGE with the cars and such, but the overall experience sounds mucky.

    I wish Carmack would team up with some solid storytellers, like Valve. Imagine the game that would produce. I salivate just thinking about it.
  88. Cliff_Forster
    Cliff_Forster
    UPSLynx wrote:
    Yeah, Quake 4 was awful.

    I don't know what it is - did ID forget how to tell a story and make a proper fun game, or have they gone the way of DNF and just get way outside relevancy with modern shooter mechanics?

    It sounds like they tried to do interesting things in RAGE with the cars and such, but the overall experience sounds mucky.

    I wish Carmack would team up with some solid storytellers, like Valve. Imagine the game that would produce. I salivate just thinking about it.

    The physiological recation I have is much different. :vimp:
  89. ardichoke
    ardichoke Oh memories of Doom 3.... I've never seen 12 shades of black take so much horsepower to render.
  90. primesuspect
    primesuspect
    UPSLynx wrote:
    I don't know what it is - did ID forget how to tell a story and make a proper fun game, or have they gone the way of DNF and just get way outside relevancy with modern shooter mechanics?

    My theory is that we grew up, other game devs grew up, but id didn't.

    We expect more from our games now. We're better. The games are better. id never changed. BLOW UP STUFF COOL GRAPHICS RARR
  91. PirateNinja
    PirateNinja
    My theory is that we grew up, other game devs grew up, but id didn't.

    We expect more from our games now. We're better. The games are better. id never changed. BLOW UP STUFF COOL GRAPHICS RARR

    I just don't understand why they hired Bethesda. I thought the relationship was id makes the engine, Bethesda makes the game. What was Bethesda's job in all of this if id was in charge of making a plot and good game mechanics?
  92. the shark Apparently the author is less a journalist, more a prophet. You hit the nail on the head over a year before its release. Good one.
  93. primesuspect
  94. UPSLynx
    UPSLynx This is the second correct prediction that has come to reality this week by Lynxtradamus.

    The omniscient Lynx tells all truth.
  95. PirateNinja
    PirateNinja
    UPSLynx wrote:
    This is the second correct prediction that has come to reality this week by Lynxtradamus.

    The omniscient Lynx tells all truth.

    Ironically enough that is exactly the sort of problem id was trying to squash with an open platform engine in tech5.
    Now the stacked irony about what I just said: Carmack said he regrets developing Rage for consoles and says he should have just made it for the PC.

    Meanwhile, does Lynxtradamus believe the save mechanics, marginal plot, and gameplay issues in Rage are the fault of id or Bethesda?
  96. UPSLynx
    UPSLynx Plot is on both of them - ID has never really told a solid story (space marine lost on a planet KILL EVERYTHING) and Bethesda, in my opinion, is mediocre at stories in games.

    Save Mechanics, they both dropped the ball. That's just bad.
  97. Cliff_Forster
    Cliff_Forster
    UPSLynx wrote:
    This is the second correct prediction that has come to reality this week by Lynxtradamus.

    The omniscient Lynx tells all truth.

    When will AMD release bulldozer?? :respect:
  98. RootWyrm
    RootWyrm
    UPSLynx wrote:
    Plot is on both of them - ID has never really told a solid story (space marine lost on a planet KILL EVERYTHING) and Bethesda, in my opinion, is mediocre at stories in games.

    See, that's the problem here.
    We all know that ID doesn't do storytelling. It's not their thing. And that's just fine. Show of hands, people who didn't have fun playing Doom/Quake/etc? Exactly. A story is not required to have fun.
    Until a company known for not telling stories, tries to build a game that requires a coherent story. THEN it becomes a problem.

    Ever since Daikatana, ID just seems to be missing the mark every time. They really need to get back to their roots. Or hire some real writers.
  99. UPSLynx
    UPSLynx
    When will AMD release bulldozer?? :respect:

    Don't push your luck :P

    But just know, if I were the type to say such things, I'd now have three correct predictions under my belt.
  100. UPSLynx
    UPSLynx
    RootWyrm wrote:
    See, that's the problem here.
    We all know that ID doesn't do storytelling. It's not their thing. And that's just fine. Show of hands, people who didn't have fun playing Doom/Quake/etc? Exactly. A story is not required to have fun.
    Until a company known for not telling stories, tries to build a game that requires a coherent story. THEN it becomes a problem.

    Ever since Daikatana, ID just seems to be missing the mark every time. They really need to get back to their roots. Or hire some real writers.


    And that's a big problem with their new games. They're not fun. FPS and gaming have grown up. Gamers expect more. Simple action romps don't really do it for people anymore (see DNF). ID hasn't been able to adapt.

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