Skip to main content

Bethesda’s ‘Rage 2’ officially announced, gameplay coming May 15

RAGE 2 – Announce Trailer

Late last week, game publisher Bethesda began posting images on its social media channels teasing the announcement of something related to Id Software’s game Rage. Today, the news was made official with a teaser trailer.

Recommended Videos

The teaser is a mix of live-action footage and pre-rendered scenes, and it’s an extended version of a short live-action teaser previously leaked online. It presents a range of unsavory post-apocalyptic figures lifting weights and dancing as Andrew W.K.’s “Ready to Die” blares. One particularly large outlaw swings a sword to the ground and appears to be wearing wings held together by concrete. There is quite a bit more color than we expected, with hopefully points to a more irreverent, tongue-in-cheek game. This would seem fitting for Id, as the studio took a similar approach with the recent Doom.

The game is being developed — at least in part — by Avalanche Studios, the company behind the recent Mad Max game.

Bethesda won’t be waiting until E3 to share gameplay from Rage 2 with the world. The official gameplay reveal will be held on May 15 at 10 a.m. ET.

It has been nearly seven years since the release of the original Rage, which combined Id Software’s classic first-person shooting action with driving and more world-building than we typically see from the studio. Following its release, the developer shifted its focus back to the Doom series, plugging away at the unreleased Doom 4 before eventually rebooting the franchise with 2016’s Doom. It was a critical and commercial success, which makes Id’s decision to return to a less-acclaimed game rather peculiar.

Bethesda does have experience with improving games for their sequels, however. The 2009 game Wolfenstein — developed by Raven Software prior to Bethesda gaining the series’ rights — was followed by the excellent Wolfenstein: The New Order. Similarly, the underwhelming The Evil Within was significantly enhanced in its sequel, with more creative environments and a better story.

Prior to Bethesda’s own teases, Rage 2‘s existence was leaked by a listing on the Walmart Canada website. The listing also included unannounced Splinter Cell and Assassin’s Creed games, as well as Gears of War 5 and Just Cause 4. The listing’s accuracy can’t otherwise by verified, and with Forza Horizon 5 appearing in it before Forza Horizon 4 was even announced, it’s best to still take it with a grain of salt.

Updated on May 14, 2018: Added official confirmation from Bethesda.

Gabe Gurwin
Gabe Gurwin has been playing games since 1997, beginning with the N64 and the Super Nintendo. He began his journalism career…
Microsoft and Bethesda to hold joint E3 showcase June 13
microsoft-and-bethesda-e3-showcase-will-air-on-june-13

Microsoft and Bethesda Games' joint E3 2021 showcase will air at 10 a.m. PT on Sunday, June 13. The presentation will be 90 minutes long and spotlights new titles from Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda Games, and many of Microsoft's partners.

https://twitter.com/Xbox/status/1397628683481882626

Read more
After a month with the Switch 2, I can’t fully recommend Nintendo’s new console
A Nintendo Switch 2 playing Mario Kart World appears on a table.

We're still firmly in the honeymoon period with the Switch 2 right now. Most of us are still exploring Mario Kart World's open world for secrets or wondering if Welcome Tour was worth the $10 price tag. With Donkey Kong Bananza arriving just in time to beef up the exclusive catalogue with a new 3D platformer, I found myself conflicted with my time with the console so far. I don't mean personally; I am in love with this piece of tech. What is trickier is when others ask me whether or not I think they should pick one up.

One month into the system's life, there's a lot to love already, but not without some caveats. Consoles only get more enticing as they age, so adopting one early essentially means you're investing at its least appealing time. There are plenty of people I would recommend a Switch 2 with no conditions, but I would say the majority of gamers are better off waiting.

Read more
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 preload guide: release date, file size, and more
A skater grinds on a waterslide in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4.

It almost didn't happen, but Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 managed to materialize as the next big video game remake. Just like the last bundle, this refreshed look at the seminal skateboarding titles will bring back all those mid-2000s feelings of doing impossible grinds and catching insane air while rocking out to a killer soundtrack. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 aims to be a faithful reimagining of the originals, but reworks the latter game to fit the format of the former, plus adds some cool new features like online multiplayer with full cross-platform support. No doubt you've got your shoes laced up and skateboard all tuned up, but have you preloaded the game? Here's what you need to know about Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4's release date, file size, preload options, and more.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 release date

Read more