Skip to main content

Rage HD for iPhone Review

rage-hd-1
Image used with permission by copyright holder

rage-hd-iconLet’s get this out of the way, Rage HD is a beautiful game, the type of game you take home to mother. If that doesn’t do it justice then quite simply, Rage HD is easily the best-looking game yet seen on a mobile device, and it provides an excellent demonstration of just how far Apple’s hardware can go when placed in the able hands of a seasoned studio such as id Software. But, of course, we all know that graphics alone won’t cut the mustard — but let’s just say the mustard has been thoroughly diced.

Rage HD is an on-rails shooter, meaning you don’t actually control the movement of your character, you take aim with the iPhone’s accelerometer or gyroscope. And while the game won’t necessarily satisfy your hunger for its bigger brother (Rage for the PC and next-gen consoles is due out on October 4), think of it as a teaser for id’s upcoming sure-to-be first-person hit.

Recommended Videos

The story behind Rage HD isn’t anything profound or deep; strapped with ammo and battling hungry mutants for the pleasure of blood-thirsty viewers at home, you must survive this carnage-filled carnival ride. Think of it as a post-apocalyptic haunted house where you are a gun-slinging, cash-grabbing, bust-a-cap-in-a mutant’s face game show contestant. You get the gist of it.

rage-hd-2
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Rage HD only consists of three levels, and while you could probably beat the game in less than 30 minutes, it offers hours of mindless fun and entertainment. Compare that with the PC version of the game, where you can race cars, take on side quests, and explore an altogether rich world, and you can see that it was a wise decision on id’s part not to try and replicate such an experience on a mobile device.

While experienced gamers may balk at the on-rail controls, they do handle superbly thanks to the iPhone’s hardware. You have multiple ways of controlling the on-screen mayhem, dodging mutant attacks and evading projectiles. One glaring issue with the controls stems from the camera movement. The camera will get stuck out of position and allow mutants to chomp at you. Often. It requires you to twist and torque yourself around to get a shot off, but this was a minor nuisance and doesn’t detract too much from the experience.

rage-hd-3
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The button controls are laid out on the screen so effectively and intelligently. For instance, the icons are easy to understand and kept simplistic, but add depth with little touches like increased damage on active reloads, and the ability to dodge and run with a tap of an icon.

Even though the post-apocalyptic TV show story may seem tired and shallow, what Rage HD lacks in story it makes up for in un-adulterated fun, with a visceral experience unlike many others on the iPhone or iPad.

At $1.99, Rage HD doesn’t have to do much to sell itself. It’s cheap, has gorgeous graphics, and comes from the makers of Doom — and hey, it controls pretty well too. While Rage HD ends up being more an appetizer than a main course, like the mutants that inhabit its post apocalyptic world, it certainly gives gamers more than enough to chomp at until the full game is released on October 4.

 (This game was reviewed on the Apple iPhone on a copy provided by id Software)

Amir Iliaifar
Former Associate Automotive Editor
Associate Automotive Section Editor for Digital Trends, Amir Iliaifar covers the ever increasing cross-section between tech…
Emulators have changed the iPhone forever
Street Fighter emulated on an iPhone.

The iPhone App Store is finally home to a few emulators. For folks not into gaming, an emulator is software that allows you to run code from another platform. In this case, we are talking about emulators that let you play titles from retro game consoles (such as the Game Boy Advance) by taking the code installed on hardware (like a cartridge) and letting it run via apps on non-native machines (such as iPhones and iPads).

It seems fans have kept their eyes on this landmark development. Soon after its release, the Delta emulator app climbed to the top of the App Store download charts in 35 countries. An iPad app is already on its way. The momentum continued with the release of the Gamma emulator for PlayStation 1 titles. And last week, PPSSPP – arguably the best mobile emulator out there – landed on the App Store.

Read more
The best iPhone emulators
A collage of the delta emulator.

The market for iPhone games has become so wide and diverse that it can realistically compete with most console and PC offerings. Where we once only got cheap time-wasters, we now have complete experiences that don't feel any less impressive than what the competition offers. In fact, a lot of games made for consoles are appearing on the iPhone now that it is becoming so powerful. However, older games have paradoxically been mostly absent from the app store.

That all could be about to change as emulation is now allowed on iPhone, though with some caveats that any retro fan should know about before getting too excited to play all your favorite NES games on your phone. Here's what's up with iPhone emulators, as well as our picks for a few of the best ones you can get right now.
What you need to know about emulation on iPhone
Emulators on iPhone, as well as emulation in general, are in a strange legal gray zone. Previously, the only way to get an emulator on your iPhone was through some workarounds that generally involved jailbreaking your phone. That differs from Android, which has enjoyed native emulators for years. In 2024, Apple updated its App Store guidelines to allow for emulators on its store, but with some important restrictions.

Read more
The best accessories to use with Delta game emulator
A table holding a DualSense controller, a DualSense Backbone, a regular Backbone, and an Xbox Series X controller.

Once Apple opened the floodgates and allowed emulators onto the App Store, Delta was one of the first on the scene. This Nintendo emulator allows you to load up your ROMs for all the classic systems, from the NES and Game Boy to the N64 and DS. With so much nostalgia suddenly available right on your phone, it's no wonder that Delta has become one of the most downloaded apps on the store. And while the emulator itself is fantastic, none of these games were intended to be played on your iPhone -- and more specifically, with the touchpad. Even the old Game Boy games can feel cramped and cluttered when you are blocking parts of the screen with your thumbs, but there are plenty of handy accessories to make your iPhone the perfect platform for Delta games.
Backbone Controller

The Backbone controller has been around for a few years and is the perfect combination of convenience and quality. It easily slides onto your iPhone and adds two thumbsticks, a D-pad, four face buttons, and two pairs of triggers. It's more than enough for any game you could emulate with Delta. The best part is that it allows you to view your screen with no obstructions so you can fully enjoy your gaming experience.
Razor Kishi Ultra

Read more