The Surge Reviews

The Surge is ranked in the 51st percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
8.5 / 10.0
May 16, 2017

I would also say that mecha or sci-fi fans will love this game as much as I do for even at the first couple of hours of game time — I had already immersed with the game. It was hard for me to let go of my controller, the action was getting to me and it set my carnage on rampage.

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6.5 / 10.0
May 16, 2017

The Surge excels in combat but lacks in story

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May 16, 2017

The Surge is a game that is worth your time and there's a lot to love. The setting is perfect and matches the tone of the game and its story very well. That story is hidden behind optional content but it's worthwhile if you give it the attention it deserves. Combat feels awesome with five different weapon types that all play differently and enemy designs that make each opponent fair but very dangerous.

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78 / 100
May 16, 2017

The Surge is a remarkably solid action-RPG that uses its premise to wedge a number of interesting design quirks into a familiar formula. Not terribly deep, but a wrench-swinging, robot-pulverizing good time nonetheless.

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75 / 100
May 16, 2017

The Surge is brutal, but in a good way, if you're a fan of the Souls formula for kicking your ass but making you enjoy it, then you will more than likely enjoy Deck13's sci-fi spin on it.

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7 / 10.0
May 16, 2017

The Surge is great, and I say that with only a single qualifier - It's standing in a genre built by games that did more than great. Which isn't exactly fair to hold against this game, but if you've ended the age of fire, woke from the nightmare and torn through Japan, The Surge is going to scratch, if not satisfy that itch.

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No Recommendation / Blank
May 16, 2017

A solid Soulslike that stops a few steps short of greatness.

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8 / 10.0
May 16, 2017

The Surge isn't interested in creating variation in its gameplay mechanics, or exploring more diverse settings or ideas, or creating compelling characters. It washes over you, but it's a refined wash, and the foundation for a great game to come. The Surge is a good thing, and I'm glad it exists as another answer to the Souls-esque games coming out – its dull, but refined sci-fi action makes the game feel like a first step, if only a step, in the right direction.

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60 / 100
May 16, 2017

The Surge isn't the same as Dark Souls but comparison's inevitable. Like that cyborg whose torso I severed, it struggles to stand on its own.

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90 / 100
May 16, 2017

Deck13 did their homework with The Surge. When compared to Lords of the Fallen, the developer's previous title, this new action-RPG has greater technical quality and is more polished. The game still has some inspiration on games from the SoulsBorne franchise, but it's good to see that the developer has found its own identity, bringing new mechanics that refresh the model created by FromSoftware. Combat is tactical, based not only on beating an enemy, but also on choosing which body part should be hit, being possible to remove pieces of armor that later can be added to your own arsenal. This is an action-RPG with a focus on the action part. The RPG aspects are a little bit simplified, but still detailed and deep enough to offer a personalized experience to the players and their character. Despite still having a generic protagonist and NPCs that you don't really care about, as well as places that can be a real maze to memorize, The Surge is a great game with high difficulty that should be on the radar for players who like real challenges and a sci-fi theme.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

Atomix
Top Critic
78 / 100
May 16, 2017

The Surge is a very good surprise because it is more than just a futuristic Dark Souls clon, it's a challenging and fun action RPG with interesting variations on its combat system and a satisfying campaign.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

7.5 / 10.0
May 16, 2017

The Surge won't be greatest game of this year, but you can consider buying it even at full price, if you are a fan of sci-fi and soulslike games. There are few problems which sometimes can be annoying, nonetheless - the game is fun to play.

Review in Polish | Read full review

7 / 10
May 16, 2017

I would say The Surge is a fun, yet challenging single player game.

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VG247
Top Critic
Unscored
May 16, 2017

The Surge is a game of many triumphs, but it's also one that will cause you more frustration than any other Souls-like.

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7 / 10
May 16, 2017

Though it might not be particularly remarkable or memorable as a whole, the science fiction future setting is a nice departure from the dark fantasy that pervades hardcore action RPGs, and there are some new ideas in combat and advancement that differentiate The Surge from its peers.

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6.8 / 10.0
May 16, 2017

The Surge is one of those games that shows a lot of promise but the experience itself just doesn't live up to its potential.

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85 / 100
May 17, 2017

The Surge is an excellent and challenging action-adventure RPG that will test even the most hardened gamer. The insanely fun combat system and deep customization system kept me dismembering enemies and collecting loot for hours.

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7 / 10
May 17, 2017

The Surge is an entertaining twist on the Dark Souls formula that strikes a tenuous balance between iteration and invention.

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7.2 / 10.0
May 17, 2017

Ultimately, I feel that Deck13 Interactive has established themselves, showing a willingness to adapt and experiment with the gameplay and genre present in Lords of the Fallen. However, it isn't just a shift of setting but rather an expansion of the gameplay mechanics that help to set The Surge apart. It's a decently realized world that feels legitimately fun to play. With that in mind, it's also clear that certain aspects are still being held back, especially in regards to the pacing, story and soundtrack. It's a shame really, as it's a combination that keeps The Surge back from being a special game, into merely a good one.

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7 / 10.0
May 17, 2017

I really enjoyed spending the 25 odd hours playing The Surge, even with it all its shortcoming and flaws. It just bothers me that I have this nagging feeling that it could’ve been a true masterpiece if it just lived up to its potential.

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