The Surge

The Surge excels thanks to fantastic combat, boss battles, and intense challenges

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The Surge is a brutal action-RPG set in a dystopian, near-future world. Take control of Warren, a new employee at overleveraged tech titan CREO, and use an advanced exo-suit to fight unstable machines and hostile workers. Innovative limb-targeting system and deep character progression create a challenging, engaging experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

77%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,883 reviews

story365 positive mentions

grinding317 negative mentions

The Surge features a unique limb-targeting mechanic that allows players to strategically dismember enemies for valuable upgrades and gear.
The game offers a gritty and immersive sci-fi atmosphere, with well-designed environments that encourage exploration and discovery.
Customization options through the exosuit and implants provide players with a variety of builds and playstyles, enhancing replayability.

The level design can be confusing and labyrinthine, making navigation difficult without a map, leading to frustration.
Combat can feel clunky and unresponsive at times, with inconsistent hitboxes and enemy attacks that can feel unfair.
The game has a limited number of bosses and enemy types, which can lead to repetitive gameplay as players progress.

story
1,262 mentions
29 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The story of "The Surge" is primarily conveyed through environmental storytelling, audio logs, and NPC interactions, which some players find engaging while others consider it sparse and confusing. The narrative explores themes of corporate ethics and personal struggle within a dystopian sci-fi setting, but many feel it lacks depth and character development, often leaving players piecing together the plot on their own. Overall, while the story has its intriguing moments and a unique premise, it is often overshadowed by gameplay mechanics and can feel underwhelming for those seeking a more traditional narrative experience.
- “Creo’s corporate culture, with its dubious ethics and hidden secrets, becomes clearer as players progress, but much of the storytelling is indirect, requiring players to pay close attention to their surroundings.”
- “The story is interesting and told in that Dark Souls style where you pick up the story along the way and help a cast of weird people (some good, some nefarious).”
- “While some players may appreciate the subtlety and piecing together of lore, others may find the story thin or difficult to fully grasp.”
- “Despite its cryptic presentation, the story does manage to evoke curiosity, encouraging players to dig deeper into the twisted inner workings of Creo and the tragic circumstances that led to its downfall.”
- “Additionally, the limited variety in NPC interactions and minimal story exposition may make the game feel a bit hollow to those looking for a richer narrative.”
gameplay
1,186 mentions
30 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "The Surge" is characterized by its challenging, souls-like mechanics, featuring a unique limb-targeting system that allows players to strategically sever enemy body parts for loot and upgrades. While the combat is generally engaging and offers a satisfying risk-reward dynamic, some players find the mechanics clunky and the level design repetitive, leading to frustration during encounters. Overall, the game successfully combines familiar elements from the souls genre with innovative features, though it may not fully satisfy those seeking a polished experience.
- “With its gritty cyberpunk atmosphere and punishing, souls-like gameplay, 'The Surge' delivers a unique take on the action-RPG formula, setting itself apart through intense combat mechanics and a dark, intriguing narrative.”
- “However, 'The Surge' sets itself apart with a unique limb-targeting mechanic that allows players to strategically target specific parts of enemies’ bodies. This mechanic adds a satisfying layer of strategy, as players must weigh the risk of targeting armored limbs for high-quality loot versus going for easier, unarmored areas to finish the fight quickly.”
- “The limb-targeting mechanic adds a unique twist to the gameplay, making every fight strategic. The core gameplay is immensely satisfying, chopping off limbs for finishers and collecting a new weapon is very fun.”
- “The gameplay is very unresponsive, making it feel like the exoskeleton isn't actually a part of your body.”
- “The gameplay loop is slow, painful, and often more frustrating than anything; the combat and promise of a souls-like experience hooks you in, and doesn't deliver at the degree you want it to.”
- “The mechanics are very original; it's not just stealing the combat system from Dark Souls, it adds the cutting part which offers you a brand new experience in video games.”
graphics
463 mentions
55 % positive mentions
41 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received generally positive feedback, with many reviewers praising the impressive visuals, detailed environments, and strong art direction that effectively convey a dark sci-fi aesthetic. However, some players noted issues with optimization, occasional graphical glitches, and a lack of variety in level design, which can lead to a repetitive visual experience. Overall, while the graphics are considered a highlight, they are not without their technical shortcomings.
- “Agile and sharp combat, full of addictive gimmicks (especially the dismemberment mechanic); immersive (and occasionally very atmospheric) and rewarding exploration; good level design, with intuitive and internalizable layouts, full of secrets, diversions, optional challenges and shortcuts, all in the right proportion; and a great presentation, with nice graphics and effects, memorable art direction and a healthy dose of visual storytelling.”
- “The graphics are beautiful and performance is excellent.”
- “The futuristic/apocalyptic setting is very well done and the visuals are excellent, with great animations and sharp texturing.”
- “Currently using the Intel Arc 770 and it crashes my graphics card on startup.”
- “Graphics are unremarkable aside from cutscenes (which look great).”
- “There are graphical bugs where some assets don't seem to display, as well as bugs with executions causing you to get stuck in objects or fall to your death.”
grinding
323 mentions
1 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
98 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, often comparing it unfavorably to other souls-like games. While some appreciate the unique limb-targeting mechanic that allows for more strategic farming of materials, others feel that the overall experience is marred by clunky combat and monotonous level design, leading to a frustrating grind for upgrades. Overall, players who enjoy grinding may find satisfaction in the game's mechanics, but those who dislike it are likely to find the experience tedious and unenjoyable.
- “However, all equipment remains useful and for just 2-3 equipment sets, essentially no farming is necessary.”
- “Didn't find it boring; it was fun, the story is engaging, the graphics are good, and the progression is not grindy, which I always like. No gambling mechanics in it, which is a plus for me, and it's not a live service game.”
- “Little to no grinding needed for scrap.”
- “The game is also needlessly grindy compared to their inspiration, killing enemies, getting the currency to level them up then finally obtaining the material to craft the armor is such a long and tedious process.”
- “Everything about this game is designed to be an unrewarding, tedious slog through same-y environments.”
- “The combat was okay, but it gets repetitive and tedious.”
music
241 mentions
16 % positive mentions
73 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many players finding the soundtrack generally forgettable and repetitive, particularly criticizing the incessant country song that plays in safe zones. However, some players appreciate the atmospheric qualities of certain tracks, like the song "Prisoner" in the medbay, which has become a memorable highlight for some. The option to customize the music by adding personal playlists is a notable positive, allowing players to enhance their experience despite the game's lackluster original score.
- “Not to forget the amazing soundtrack to make it all come together.”
- “Every time you make it back to your place, it softly plays the song 'Prisoner', which is honestly a fantastic choice for the setting and character.”
- “The overall atmosphere is stunning and the music and sound effects deserve a mention as well.”
- “The vibe is weird too, music just sucks if you can even call it music.”
- “The soundtrack of the game is perhaps the weakest domain, which is highlighted by the fact that the ambient soundscapes in the game work far better at building tension and immersion than do most of the more coherent musical tracks on offer.”
- “The music is almost non-existent and the medbay music is so infuriatingly catchy you'll either hate it and turn it off after 2 visits or set it to always play and max out the volume on it like I did.”
atmosphere
207 mentions
57 % positive mentions
41 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "The Surge" is widely praised for its gritty, immersive cyberpunk setting, characterized by dark, industrial environments that evoke a sense of tension and isolation. Reviewers highlight the game's effective use of lighting and sound design to enhance the eerie ambiance, creating a compelling backdrop for its challenging gameplay. While some critiques mention issues with level design and narrative depth, the overall consensus is that the atmosphere significantly contributes to the game's appeal, making it a standout in the action RPG genre.
- “With its gritty cyberpunk atmosphere and punishing, souls-like gameplay, 'The Surge' delivers a unique take on the action-RPG formula, setting itself apart through intense combat mechanics and a dark, intriguing narrative.”
- “The dystopian world and detailed environments create a compelling atmosphere that draws you in.”
- “Fails pretty consistently at what I assume it's trying to do, both in atmosphere and in gameplay.”
- “The entire game has an oppressive and lonely atmosphere, with a hint of creepy/horror, which really lends itself to the genre, and gives some of the feelings of desolation you get from the soulsborne games.”
- “Story and atmosphere-wise, The Surge is a bit lacking, but you can't do much to differentiate the levels too much because then it wouldn't feel like a highly efficient factory.”
stability
93 mentions
22 % positive mentions
2 % neutral mentions
76 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent freezes, crashes, and various glitches that can disrupt gameplay. While some users experienced a relatively smooth experience with minimal issues, others faced significant technical problems that affected their enjoyment, particularly on PC. Overall, the game's stability appears to be a major concern, with many players noting that it detracts from an otherwise enjoyable experience.
- “The game runs smooth, no glitches at all.”
- “It is bug free, aside from minor problems like characters clipping into objects.”
- “The game looks and runs great, and I didn't have any problems running it.”
- “Game freezes within minutes of playing and basically bricks my PC, forcing me to restart my PC.”
- “It's unbelievably buggy and crash-prone.”
- “I will be playing, then the screen freezes. I can still hear my character getting attacked, and then as I die, the game force closes on me.”
optimization
85 mentions
47 % positive mentions
34 % neutral mentions
19 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its smooth performance and good graphics on various hardware setups, while others report significant issues such as stuttering, low frame rates, and poor performance even on high-end systems. Overall, while some users find the game well-optimized and enjoyable, many others express frustration with its inconsistent performance and technical problems, indicating that optimization could be improved.
- “No bugs, overall excellent optimization.”
- “The game is almost bug-free, smooth, nicely optimized, and good mechanics too.”
- “Well optimized too, I don't have a space age PC and I'm getting 50-60 fps all the time with all settings to high.”
- “Abysmal performance on an RTX 3060 Ti & i9 10th gen CPU with 16 GB of RAM.”
- “The game is poorly optimized... I am running 4 GTX 680s, and an overclocked i7 4770K, with 32 GB of RAM, and I can only get away with 45 FPS on high settings.”
- “It would be worth it at half the price if not for the horrible optimization and constant crashes.”
replayability
48 mentions
25 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
15 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the New Game+ feature and the variety of upgrades and weapons, while others find it lacking due to repetitive gameplay and limited content. Many agree that while there is potential for multiple playthroughs, especially for newcomers to the genre, the overall experience may not warrant extensive replaying for seasoned players. Overall, opinions range from high replay value to minimal, depending on individual preferences and play styles.
- “Solid replay value.”
- “High replay value because of a great New Game+ system.”
- “There's a ton of replay value, and lots of different things to collect.”
- “It has some replayability via new game+, but I couldn't be bothered to do another run just for better gear and harder enemies.”
- “Little to no replayability.”
- “There are only 5, yes five bosses in the entire game. I've seen people beat this game in 16 hours. For a £40 game, that amount of content is shocking; that price tag is far too high considering the replayability for this game is almost 0. Sure, there is new game+, but aside from maybe new mob placement and being able to upgrade your gear higher, there is nothing new.”
humor
21 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a standout feature, blending dark comedy with absurd situations, such as the amusingly quick deaths players experience and the quirky solutions to challenges. Players appreciate the witty dialogue and humorous storytelling, particularly in the DLCs, which add a lighthearted touch to the otherwise serious gameplay. Overall, the humor enhances the experience, making frustrating moments more enjoyable and memorable.
- “The humor throughout is great too.”
- “It also has a good sense of humor in many of the minor stories told through your investigating.”
- “I really enjoyed the DLC 'A Walk in the Park' which added a welcome dose of humor to the otherwise serious tone of the base game.”
character development
20 mentions
15 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is largely criticized for being minimal and lacking depth, with many players noting that decisions are not permanent and the main character, Warren, feels bland and underexplored. While there are moments that hint at potential growth, these are quickly overshadowed by a predictable story and shallow character design, leading to an overall sense of emptiness in character arcs. Despite some engaging gameplay elements, the absence of meaningful character development detracts significantly from the overall experience.
- “More narrative depth and character development would enhance the overall experience.”
- “The game’s story has been described as fairly predictable, with some interesting moments early on that lay the groundwork for potential character development.”
- “The 'character development' philosophy of the game is really lightweight and fun.”
- “No character development decisions are ever permanent.”
- “However, the story and character development are somewhat lacking.”
- “There is almost no character development.”
emotional
14 mentions
86 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the dark atmosphere and impactful music that evokes strong feelings, while others find the story lacking depth and the emotional moments repetitive. The game successfully creates a sense of unease and claustrophobia, but the character development and narrative can feel forgettable or forced. Overall, it offers a range of emotional experiences, from moments of genuine connection to frustration with its storytelling.
- “This game is quite dark and the emotional moments hit, mostly thanks to the voices.”
- “The song playing in the med bay makes me want to cry.”
- “Even though the ending itself leaves a little to be desired, the final act still manages some surprising emotional notes.”
- “The story was told in a stupidly boring way, but I had some fun with it, and in my opinion, that's the most important thing.”
- “The narrative felt dull and unengaging.”
monetization
6 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with players criticizing the intrusive ads that disrupt gameplay, particularly during key moments like saving or returning to the game. While some appreciate the game's attempt to innovate on the "souls-like" formula, others feel it leans towards a cash grab, overshadowing the overall experience with aggressive advertising. Despite these concerns, there are elements of the promotional ads that some players find engaging and thought-provoking.
- “This game is more like Dark Souls, with hardcore annoying ads that always appear when you go back or save it, but it is truly a grinding game to get the armor and items you want.”
- “They are trying to follow in the footsteps of Dark Souls by making several 'souls-like' games and they are just using this as a quick cash grab, before people realize it for what it is; a steaming pile of shit.”
- “I could elaborate more on all the innovations/disruptions—but there are YouTube reviews for that; therefore, I am quite proud to see a developing studio taking the gloriousness that is Dark Souls and innovate on that formula rather than go for the cash grab; however, that's not me saying all the innovations/disruptions are for the better.”