Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The Rage delivers a classic beat ’em up experience updated for modern audiences. Players control one of four distinct fighters—Max, Alfred, Bruce, and Lisa—each with unique attributes in power, speed, and technique. The controls feel tight, whether you’re chaining basic punches and kicks or unleashing the signature running attack. The inclusion of a superblow mechanic adds a strategic layer, forcing you to weigh the risk of self-damage against the reward of clearing a room of foes.

Combat flows smoothly as enemies flood the screen, ranging from street thugs to heavily armed mafia goons. You can grab and throw opponents in any direction, and environmental interactions—such as breaking barrels and phone booths—reveal health-restoring food items or weapons like bats and golf clubs. Finding and wielding a bazooka or machine gun delivers satisfying chaos, especially in co-op, where four players ferociously carve through waves of adversaries.

Multiplayer shines thanks to local and online support. LAN play, couch co-op, or online matchmaking all function without major hiccups, letting friends team up to tackle six varied stages. Each level is split into two or three sections, punctuated by brief respites and hidden alcoves. Those who love exploration will appreciate hunting down secret rooms, while speedrunners can blaze through the main path in record time.

Graphics

The Rage adopts a 3D environment while retaining the spirit of its 2D predecessors. Character models are detailed, with distinct costumes and animations that reflect their fighting styles—Alfred’s grapples feel weighty, while Bruce’s metalhead aesthetic comes with headbanging idle animations. Enemy designs are colorful and diverse, from sharp-suited mafiosos to hulking brutes, keeping the eye engaged through each skirmish.

Stages are crafted with atmospheric flair: dingy back alleys littered with trash, neon-lit bars where the mafia conducts its experiments, and industrial warehouses dripping with ominous green fluid. Lighting effects, especially during evening levels, highlight puddles and rain-slicked streets. While textures occasionally blur in the distance, the overall visual polish is more than serviceable for a game in this genre.

Particle effects and camera movement elevate key moments. When you execute a superblow, the screen shakes and the edges vignette in red, providing a visceral punch. Pickups glow subtly, guiding your attention without resorting to intrusive UI markers. Cutscenes use in-engine footage with voice snippets that, while brief, reinforce the game’s gritty, street-justice vibe.

Story

The narrative hook of The Rage is straightforward yet effective: Sarah, protagonist Bruce’s girlfriend, falls into a coma after receiving an experimental drug at a mafia-run bar. This inciting incident propels Bruce, alongside friends Max, Lisa, and Alfred, into a dangerous underworld. While the setup leans on familiar tropes, it provides just enough motivation to punch through hordes of criminals in search of answers and a cure.

Through brief cutscenes between stages, the story unfolds in bite-sized chapters. You’ll witness Sarah’s deteriorating condition, see your heroes clash with key lieutenants, and glimpse shady lab experiments. The dialogue is punchy—occasionally groan-worthy—but it suits the no-nonsense, street-fighter atmosphere. The game never aims for Shakespearean depth; instead, it embraces the pulpy roots of classic arcade beat ’em ups.

Boss encounters serve as narrative milestones, each villain representing a deeper layer of the mafia’s operation. Confronting the chemist responsible for Sarah’s coma feels more than just a gameplay gauntlet; it’s the emotional climax you’ve been building toward. While fans of elaborate storytelling may find it light, those looking for an action-driven tale will appreciate how each knockout blow inches you closer to rescuing Sarah.

Overall Experience

The Rage strikes an excellent balance between nostalgia and modern polish. Its tight combat mechanics, varied weapon arsenal, and robust multiplayer options ensure repeat playthroughs. Whether you’re teaming up with friends to clear every hidden nook or attempting a solo speedrun, the game maintains its momentum across six adrenaline-fueled stages.

While the graphics occasionally show minor technical limitations, the art direction and level design consistently deliver mood and excitement. Characters feel distinct in both look and playstyle, encouraging experimentation across multiple sessions. The 3D translation of a traditionally 2D genre succeeds in expanding movement and strategy without sacrificing the immediacy that makes beat ’em ups so compelling.

In the end, The Rage offers a thoroughly satisfying homage to classics like Final Fight and Streets of Rage while carving out its own identity. Its simple yet engaging story, backed by energetic gameplay and solid multiplayer support, makes it a must-try for fans of the genre—and a welcoming entry point for newcomers craving straightforward, button-mashing thrills.

Retro Replay Score

6.6/10