id Software and Avalanche Studios have spoken in the past about having focused on the narrative in RAGE 2, but their focus, it seems, is not on large-scale story, but on well-told smaller stories that add to the game’s open world- which is where they’re focusing most of their energies on. Speaking with VG247, game director Magnus Nedfors said that RAGE 2’s narrative focus comes through interactions with NPCs, and through environmental storytelling.
“I will not sit here and say the deep story is why you should play RAGE 2 – it’s an action game,” said Nedfors. “But we’re trying to tell small stories, both by interactions with the NPCs that you meet, and also through the environment. It’s something that we want to push more and more.”
According to Nedfors, open world games require a very different brand of storytelling, which is what Avalanche and id are trying to do with RAGE 2.
“There are many good storytelling games that are open world games second, but the common mistake is to tell a linear story,” he said. “Then you’re failing in giving the player all that freedom. I think the whole industry needs to find the magic moment where somebody comes up with an evolution in open world storytelling.”
The point of RAGE 2, then, according to the director, isn’t telling a great story, but putting players in a fun open world environment. “You being out in the world, having fun with your guns and your abilities,” said Nedfors. “That’s what it’s about.”
RAGE 2 is out on May 14 for the PS4, Xbox One, and PC. Check out its latest overview trailer through here, and head on over here to watch over 20 minutes of gameplay footage.