The Surge Reviews
Whilst it is clear that The Surge is not a perfect Soulsborne adaptation, it introduces enough new features to be a stand out addition to the hardcore action RPG genre that made me feel accomplished at times and utter despair at others.
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.
The Surge successfully builds on its inspirations and finds its own voice
Bugs and a weak narrative aside, The Surge is a much more confident take on the emerging Soul-like gameplay style. It takes the known tropes of being challenging and having progression dependent on learning attack patterns while adjusting your play style to accommodate, but it also has some fresh ideas that not only make perfect sense, but could shape future games. It's nice to see a developer give a gameplay style a second shot and Deck13 have almost nailed it here.
The Surge's unique spin on combat and customization coupled with some tried and true gameplay mechanics from the Souls series coalesce nicely for what feels like a familiar experience in an entirely new setting.
Even with its issues, the game shines.
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.
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.
The Surge offers players hours of thrilling exploration combined with combat mechanics which encourages you to be cautious and consistent when entering a fight. If technology is going to do this to us in the future, I might have to grab the typewriter from the attic.
If this genre of games inspired by the Souls series is going to continue, it is important that future titles in it can build upon what has already been established and try to do something new with it. That is why I am so happy The Surge is able to do so. Even if it falters in a few areas, the game's limb targeting and Core Power mechanics coupled with its unique world create a fun experience that even people like me, who aren't mega-fans of the Souls series, can enjoy.
Like Lords of the Fallen, The Surge is another rock-solid souls-a-like, losing a little of its predecessor's strong storytelling and atmosphere, but gaining from the change from fantasy to sci-fi and the ingenious mech smashing and harvesting upgrade system. It's not quite on the same level as the Dark Souls trilogy, Bloodborne or Nioh, but that's more down to the lore and art style than the brilliant gameplay. If you like the sound of a gritty dystopian take on Dark Souls, The Surge is an easy game to recommend.
Deck13 has built on the successes and mistakes of Lords of the Fallen and has created something that is able to not only stand toe-to-toe with the Souls franchise but is also capable of standing on its own with its unique identity. The new and different systems The Surge has introduced makes it an enjoyable and different experience for both newcomers to the genre and those who have already played Souls-like games previously. Deck13 has done a great job at combining the familiar and the new to create a unique vision that's both fun and challenging.
Every bit as infuriating, enjoyable and insanely gratifying as an action RPG of this type should be, The Surge is great fun, thanks in no small part to its unique limb-cutting loot system and some tight combat mechanics.
A Souls-like game with its own identity, The Surge deserves merit for its combat and sci-fi setting.
The Surge is a whirlwind of action-RPG fun with a fast and frantic melee-focused combat system, addictive loot systems and an immersive sci-fi horror atmosphere.
Between severing body parts for upgrades and makeshift hydraulic weapons, The Surge offers a satisfying (if grindy) take on extremely difficult action RPGs.
The Surge is a pure adrenaline fueled action RPG that doesn't take a moment to rest and keeps the player engaged throughout their journey. It is packed with a deep experience and customization system but unfortunately lacks in enemy and environment variety that stops it from reaching the height of the Dark Souls series.
The Surge is a game that can be mentioned in the same breath as Dark Souls, something which is high praise indeed.
Engaging upgrade system and a few interesting twists in its combat, such as limb targeting, makes The Surge more than a “Souls”-like carbon copy. Deck13 deserve all the praise.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
The Surge überzeugt mit unverbrauchtem und dystopischem Setting und bleibt trotz sich wiederholendem Design atmosphärisch stark. Das Kampfsystem macht Spaß und verlangt nach Perfektion, und an den Finishing-Moves kann man sich kaum sattsehen – ein gewisses Faible für das hohe Level an Gewalt vorausgesetzt. Für The Surge muss man jedoch kein Souls-Veteran sein. Am Ende reichen Lust und Mut, sich einer echten Herausforderung zu stellen. Wer sich allerdings nur für die Story interessiert oder einfach nur ein gemütliches Action-RPG im Sci-Fi-Szenario erwartet, der lässt tatsächlich besser die Finger davon.
Review in German | Read full review