Rage game for PC, Playstation 3 and Xbox 360

If we had a shiny pound coin for every computer game that was set in a mutant-infested, post-apocalyptic aftermath, we'd probably have enough wealth by now to secure our very own place in the VIP bunker when the end of the world actually arrives.

In Rage, you play a character who wakes up from a cryogenic snooze several years after yet another global catastrophe has rendered the Earth a barely habitable wasteland, largely populated by vicious bandits and feral brutes.

You immediately team up with a small band of survivors and begin taking on missions in order to aid your continued existence – clearing areas of bad guys, locating missing persons, picking up vital supplies and so on – and these tasks make up the bulk of both the game's main campaign and its side-quests.

The core gameplay in Rage is built around some extremely impressive first-person shooting. Different enemy types have specific weaknesses and varying types of attack, adding a strategic element to play. It's also possible to modify weapons with secondary ammo and craft useful items from the junk you find on your explorations.

The game also features frequent vehicular-based interludes where you get to drive buggies or bikes and take part in races or vehicle-to-vehicle combat.

This initially seemed at odds with the shooting but, in fact, simply added to the overall Mad Max vibe. Further mini-games – such as shooting galleries, collectible cards and even a Guitar Hero-like music game - provide even more variety.

Despite its overused setting, Rage looks quite remarkable, with desolate vistas and colourful characters around every corner. Of course, your PC will need to meet the game's system requirements. We've heard reports of technical problems with the PC version of Rage but we didn't experience any on our own test PC.

Not only is the main campaign's story a little uninspired, but Rage's multiplayer is also currently limited to a selection of co-op shooting missions and some buggy-based battles.

That said, Rage still has plenty of anarchic enjoyment to offer and there's enough variety to keep you coming back for more.

PEGI age rating: 15+

Available on: PC, Playstation 3, Xbox 360