This is an outRAGE!
First thing I have to say is RAGE looks ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. It looks far better than any shooter I've seen on the PS3 and 360. Even better than Crysis 2, which I held as the best looking console game before this. The art style is just stunning, and it has visuals that won't fail to disappoint. I can say, without any hesitation at all, RAGE is the BEST looking game on consoles. There was one point where I was just standing around for a few minutes, observing anything and everything, and you normally wouldn't see anyone do that for a console game. Best of all, it runs at an ultra smooth 60 FPS, without any screen tearing whatsoever. Why is that important? Most console shooters only run around 30 FPS, but RAGE goes that extra mile. Great job by id once again.
Moving on to probably the most important thing, the GAMEPLAY. The gameplay in RAGE is also really really good. It has real fluent control, the sprinting actually feels realistic, as if you were the one running with the weapon in your hand, and the movements are mind blowing. The shooting mechanics work better than any shooter I've played thus far. The guns sound and look really good. There are an abundance of weapons, accessories, and other material to utilize in the heat of a battle. You can walk around and explore towns, talk to people, craft weapons and other items, play games, race, upgrade armor, buy/sell things, or you can do side quest for other people. Subtle RPG elements, but nothing huge.
The driving is surprisingly good as well. When I first saw footage, I thought "meh", but once you actually get used to the driving, it's like you're playing a whole different game. It reminds me of a Twisted Metal type game, and the mechanics, once again, work really well.
The game itself isn't as open as I thought it would be, but there is still a lot going on. It's not Fallout/Skyrim big, but don't kid yourself. The environments which you traverse are pretty large. Do I wish they were bigger? Sure, but sometimes you have to make sacrifices, and I feel that they were for the best.
But what I really want to gush about is the AI. INCREDIBLE work by id once again. I don't think I've seen the same AI movements/animations yet. There's always some cool or different way you'll kill someone. The AI reacts in ways that you'd never think possible in a video game. I thought Killzone 2 had some realistic AI when it came out, but RAGE takes it to a whole new level. They'll retreat, flank you, group up, and try all types of different maneuvers and tactics to outsmart you.
The story in my opinion, is nothing to boast about. It's your typical sci-fi story in my eyes. You're basically new to the world and the environment, and you go around earning trust of other citizens, while avoiding the Authority, who are the main enemies of the game. So while the story is nothing amazing, it's certainly good enough to set the pace for the game. It could've been a whole lot better though.
As mentioned in the GameSpot review, remember to SAVE OFTEN. There is only one way to access a checkpoint, and that is by entering a new area. You have to manually save your progress, the game will not do it for you. If you forget this while playing for long periods of time, you can just as easily die, and lose all of your progress which could be up to hours of progression. So make sure you save. With that said, it's certainly not anything to nitpick over, as was saw in the GameSpot review.
Some closing tips; refill your supplies before you go on big missions. I forgot to do that on my first visit to Dead City, and it nearly cost me. I say the weapons that will do you the most good are the Combat shotgun, Wingsticks, and pistol w/'fatboy' rounds. Just make sure you stock pile on ammo, bandages, and other items, before going on missions.
That's pretty much it for my review of RAGE. It's a shame this is sandwiched between the hype of BF3, Uncharted 3, Arkham City, Skyrim, and MW3. It's really not getting the recognition it deserves.
My overall score is a 9/10. The gameplay holds up, and it's exactly what you'd expect from an id shooter. There are plenty of elements that makes it stick out above other shooters. Voice acting is great, visuals are awesome, AI, everything is top notch.
The story is what holds it back just a little, but it's certainly worth getting if you're a fan of id, or are just looking to try something new and different over the abundance of military shooters nowadays.
If not a buy, RAGE is certainly worth a rent. It's a wonderful experience, and I wouldn't want anyone to miss out on it.