15 best video games coming in 2019: Kingdom Hearts 3 and more

11. Rage 2

Developer: Avalanche Studios, id Software
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release Date: May 14, 2019

The surprising sequel to the 2010 post-apocalyptic first-person-shooter, Rage 2 takes place 30 years later in a world crawling with mutants after an asteroid hit Earth. Rage 2 brings a vibrant, colorful new look to match its fast-paced, explosive gameplay spread across varying locales. Its aesthetic and gameplay are reminiscent of Mad Max meets Just Cause crossed with Fallout and sprinkled with a dash of Doom. That makes sense, given the game is a collaboration between Avalanche Studios and id Software.

Tim Willits, id Software’s studio director, said that they want Rage 2 to deliver on the promises of a dynamic and truly open world that the first game couldn’t fully achieve. Rage 2 is meant to be a “power fantasy” where players wield badass, powerful weapons right from the start of the game. Combat looks faster and even more insane than the original Rage, including physics breaking weapons and abilities. Vehicular combat also makes a big-time return with a wide variety of vehicles and weapons available, from explosives to mounted mortars and machine guns.

With a new aesthetic, more varied locations, creative combat scenarios and emergent open-world gameplay, Rage 2 is looking like a ridiculously wild ride that we want on. Based on what we’ve seen thus far, it seems like Avalanche Studios and id Software have taken the first game and turned the volume way up. We can’t wait to see the final result of this collaboration when it releases on PS4, Xbox One, and PC on May 14th, 2019.