The Surge 2

The Surge 2 combines a rewarding combat system with a fantastic game world to craft one of the best games of 2019. Fans of Soulsborne games shouldn't hesitate to check this one out.

80%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

optimization, grinding

80% User Score Based on 3,695 reviews

Critic Score 76%Based on 52 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $19.99

Buy NowGet on Steam$29.99

Buy NowGet on Xbox Games Store

About

"The Surge 2" is a challenging action-RPG set in a dystopian future. After a mysterious plane crash, you awake in a high-security prison. Fight your way through a ravaged city using technologically advanced gear and abilities. Defeat formidable enemies and bosses to upgrade your exosuit and increase your chances of survival. Rebuild society and uncover the truth behind the oppressive regime.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

80%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,695 reviews

story285 positive mentions

optimization95 negative mentions

The combat system is fast-paced and engaging, with a unique limb-targeting mechanic that allows players to dismember enemies for loot.
The level design is intricate and interconnected, encouraging exploration and rewarding players with shortcuts and hidden items.
The game offers a variety of weapons and armor, allowing for diverse builds and playstyles.

The story is weak and lacks depth, with forgettable characters and a convoluted plot.
The game suffers from performance issues, including crashes and frame rate drops, which can detract from the overall experience.
The navigation can be confusing due to the lack of a detailed map, making it easy for players to get lost.

story
1,330 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
67%
11%
The story in "The Surge 2" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it less engaging than its predecessor. While some appreciate the more straightforward narrative and character interactions, others criticize it for being generic, predictable, and lacking depth. The game features a variety of side quests and environmental storytelling, but many players feel that the plot fails to captivate, often serving merely as a backdrop for the gameplay rather than a compelling narrative experience.
- “The story in 'The Surge 2' is unapologetically wild, with its intricately designed levels, intense combat, and unpredictable narrative that rewards careful planning and a sense of curiosity.”
- “While the story remains cryptic, it is more coherent and structured than that of the first game, offering players a sense of progression and stakes as they work to unravel the mystery behind the nanite plague.”
- “The world is well-developed and thoughtfully created, with characters and side quests that are humorous and interesting, making the overall experience engaging.”
- “The story is poorly delivered; the 'little girl' voice acting is a bit grating on the ears, and the initial hostility against other prison inmates after you awoke from a coma seems poorly explained.”
- “The story is bland and rather uninventive with no real interesting characters or developments; the combat is fantastic at its best and annoying at its worst.”
- “The story is a nonsensical, incoherent mess that failed to get me invested or care in the least as to why I was murdering hundreds of humans and robots.”
gameplay
1,040 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
60%
5%
The gameplay of "The Surge 2" has been widely praised for its engaging combat mechanics, particularly the directional parry system and the limb-targeting feature that allows players to dismember enemies for gear upgrades. While many players appreciate the depth and variety in combat, some have noted issues with balance and the learning curve associated with mastering the mechanics. Overall, the game is seen as a significant improvement over its predecessor, offering a satisfying and addictive gameplay loop despite some criticisms regarding level design and story coherence.
- “The gameplay is so engaging and addicting, because there's always one more thing right around the corner -- maybe a loot cache, or maybe an enemy wearing a piece of armor you want.”
- “The surge 2 doubles down on this and implements even more ideas to make the gameplay experience even more rich, varied, fresh, and interesting.”
- “The combat is smooth and exciting, the level design is good, and the gameplay loop of killing, collecting, and upgrading is very addicting.”
- “The gameplay does not change throughout the game, making it get boring and repetitive; there are no skills or abilities to spice life up, it's just monotonous.”
- “The gameplay is cheap, whereas in the first game, there were surprises, yes, but it was down to good timing.”
- “The parry mechanic feels a little inconsistent at times, as the timing seems hard to pin down when some enemies have you parry a lot earlier than others do.”
graphics
432 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
62%
8%
The graphics of "The Surge 2" have received mixed reviews, with some praising the art style and sci-fi aesthetic while others criticize the overall visual quality and optimization issues. Many players noted that the graphics appear dated compared to the original game, with complaints about blurriness, poor lighting, and performance drops, particularly on lower-end systems. Despite these drawbacks, some found the visuals appealing in certain areas, highlighting detailed textures and a vibrant world design, though technical glitches and inconsistent performance detracted from the experience for many.
- “The graphics are stunning, with detailed textures, lighting, and shadows.”
- “The futuristic/apocalyptic setting is very well done and the visuals are excellent, with great animations and sharp texturing.”
- “Great graphics, great gameplay, customizable armor and weapons, what can I say.”
- “Even with trying to make the game a little more easy on the eyes, the game from a graphical standpoint is a major step below the original overall.”
- “The graphics are so much worse than I thought possible for a modern game; on the highest settings, I thought I was on some sort of laptop compatibility mode.”
- “Graphics are totally outdated; the game looks like it was released on a PS3 and runs like your computer is a microwave machine.”
optimization
352 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
62%
27%
The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players reporting significant performance issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and crashes, particularly in visually dense areas. While some users have experienced smooth gameplay on high-end systems, others have struggled even on decent hardware, leading to frustration and a recommendation to wait for further patches. Overall, the game's optimization appears to be a major drawback, overshadowing its otherwise enjoyable gameplay.
- “Much like the first game, it's a solid PC release - decent performance, keyboard and mouse controls, works in ultrawide - you know all those things FromSoftware still can't seem to manage.”
- “Zero performance issues or bugs, ran flawlessly in my almost 40 hours of playtime.”
- “Well optimized and good art direction.”
- “This game is so badly optimized it's pitiful.”
- “The performance is absolutely terrible.”
- “Optimization is god awful.”
grinding
146 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
2%
95%
The grinding aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with some players enjoying the limb-targeting mechanic that makes farming for upgrades feel engaging and rewarding, while others find it tedious and time-consuming. Many reviews highlight that while grinding is not strictly necessary, it can enhance the experience, especially for those who appreciate the challenge of upgrading gear. However, the game's design can lead to repetitive gameplay, particularly when players must repeatedly farm specific body parts to progress, which some describe as a slog.
- “Crafting new armor wasn't as tedious as in the previous game.”
- “No grinding percentage RNG BS.”
- “No grinding required: one-time kills and side quests give you more than enough scrap to level up and upgrade your gear.”
- “The game can be grindy if a player is struggling with the content, as they will have to upgrade their gear by targeting specific body parts of enemies.”
- “Severing parts makes getting armor a tedious grind (again, just like the first game).”
- “It starts to feel like grinding and a waste of time very soon, just like the first game.”
atmosphere
123 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
61%
5%
The atmosphere in "The Surge" series is a point of contention among players, with many preferring the darker, more oppressive vibe of the first game compared to the more varied but less intense atmosphere of the sequel. While "The Surge 2" offers improved visuals and a broader environment, it lacks the horror elements and cohesive world-building that defined its predecessor, leading to mixed feelings about its overall immersion and emotional impact. Despite these criticisms, some players appreciate the unique sci-fi setting and engaging sound design, noting that the atmosphere still contributes positively to the gameplay experience.
- “With its enhanced visuals, strategic combat, and unique sci-fi atmosphere, 'The Surge 2' is a strong step forward for the series, appealing to fans of hardcore action games who seek both difficulty and depth.”
- “The atmosphere along with the weapon design and music really draw you in and give the feeling that a lot of thought was put into world building.”
- “The overall atmosphere; however, was a step down from the previous game, which in my opinion was a lot darker and grittier.”
- “The overall atmosphere, however, was a step down from the previous game, which in my opinion was a lot darker and grittier.”
- “The atmosphere has definitely traded in what I would consider the first game's borderline sci-fi horror atmosphere for a more generic open world, post-apocalyptic, and occasionally cyberpunk flair, and it just doesn't feel the same.”
- “The story is weak and the atmosphere is worse than the first game, which had almost a horror atmosphere.”
music
101 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
60%
7%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising the soundtrack as a significant improvement over the first installment, while others find it repetitive and forgettable. Many players appreciate the atmospheric sound design and specific tracks, particularly during boss fights, but criticize the inconsistency and lack of memorable themes. Overall, while the music contributes to the game's ambiance, it often fails to leave a lasting impression.
- “The game has a great soundtrack and I love the haunting final confrontation music that played during the 'wall entity' at the end of the game.”
- “The soundtrack is at least consistent; some nice beige wallpaper with the occasional accidental paint spill of excitement thrown in.”
- “The atmosphere along with the weapon design and music really draw you in and give the feeling that a lot of thought was put into world building.”
- “The exploration music is fine, but it's strange that it suddenly becomes upbeat like an action film during combat.”
- “The music is either boring or extremely repetitive, the boss music so far being an absolutely grating three-second repeating industrial theme.”
- “Sound design from the impact of weapons to atmospheric background noise is a step back, not to mention the iconic music used for med bays is missing and always brought a sigh of relief when I heard it in the first game.”
stability
97 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
2%
87%
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant bugs, graphical glitches, and performance issues such as stuttering and crashes. While some users experienced smooth gameplay without major problems, others found the game to be a "buggy mess" that detracted from their overall enjoyment. Overall, the game's stability appears to be inconsistent, with ongoing patches attempting to address these issues but not fully resolving them for all players.
- “The game runs great and I never had a single hang-up or crash.”
- “In fact, it was bug-free and quite enjoyable.”
- “This game is literally bug-free.”
- “This game is a buggy mess.”
- “Currently in the process of refunding; looks great, probably is great to an extent, but in order to run this buggy, unoptimized thing I have to keep alt-tabbing each time I run this game, open up Task Manager, and turn off core 0 & 1 plus set priority to high just to stop it from stuttering/lagging.”
- “While I enjoyed the gameplay, it is a buggy mess. I ended up getting a game-breaking bug in the cutscene before the final boss that crashes the game, and I couldn't find a way around it.”
humor
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
97%
9%
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating the well-developed world, quirky characters, and amusing side quests that often outshine the main plot. While some find the humor delightful and engaging, others criticize it for being inconsistent or overshadowed by technical issues, such as glitches and frame drops that unintentionally add to the comedic experience. Overall, the game features a blend of clever writing and absurd moments, though some players feel the shift towards a more cartoonish tone detracts from its original seriousness.
- “The world is well-developed and thoughtfully created; characters and side quests are humorous and interesting.”
- “The sense of humor in this game is wonderful, and I like how many more NPCs are in the world.”
- “Gameplay is great; the style of the armor and weapons is hilarious, and there is a huge amount to gather even in the first couple of hours.”
- “The mechanics with charge attacks are so far off it's not funny, and forget it if you're being multi-attacked.”
- “The jokes in the game fall flat and often feel forced, making it hard to enjoy the humor.”
- “I expected a lot more laughs, but the humor is stale and lacks creativity.”
replayability
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
59%
9%
Overall, the game offers a solid level of replayability, particularly through its New Game+ mode and the ability to experiment with various builds via the implant system. Many players appreciate the balance of challenge and content, noting that the game encourages multiple playthroughs to fully experience its quests and gear. While some reviews mention limitations compared to the first game, the consensus is that the replay value remains high, especially with upcoming content updates.
- “I would go as far as to say it's a bargain on sale and really worth it for the amount of hours one can sink into this; there is definitely a hint of replayability to it as well that can result in hours of fun.”
- “Paired with the game's implant system, it allows for various different builds and playstyles, significantly increasing replayability.”
- “Considering the fact that the content that is present here is high quality, and the fact that this game released at a lower price than other AAA titles, plus it also has a huge replay value (even more so than other titles from its genre thanks to the implant system and the infinitely upgradeable gears), it is easily worth its asking price even at launch.”
- “The bigger issue is that the replay value is very much inferior to the first, partly due to the omission of mechanics that made doing multiple repeat playthroughs fun or viable at all!”
- “Zero replay value because the game has no builds.”
- “There is potential for replayability, but nothing too serious.”
emotional
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
88%
13%
Reviews highlight a mixed emotional experience in the game, with some players feeling a lack of investment in the story and characters, describing it as boring and shallow. However, others found emotional depth in the smaller cast, leading to a strong connection and gut-wrenching moments during character deaths. Overall, while the gameplay improvements were appreciated, the emotional engagement varied significantly among players.
- “The kraken is a smaller but simultaneously completely deranged and utterly wholesome narrative entry.”
- “However, I found this smaller cast made me far more emotionally invested in the few characters we had, and their inevitable deaths or depressing endings were really gut-wrenching for me.”
- “Emotional damage!”
- “Boring story and world where few things make sense.”
- “Boring story, okayish level design with lots of shortcuts to open up.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game has received negative feedback, with users labeling the DLCs as unnecessary cash grabs and criticizing misleading advertisements regarding the game's focus. Overall, players feel that the monetization strategy reflects a low-budget approach and a downgrade from the previous installment.
- “Don't bother with the DLCs though; apparently, they are either completely unnecessary cash grabs or not that great (the story DLC from what I read).”
- “Low-budget cash grab, straight downgrade from the first game.”
- “Misleading advertisement; this game is predominantly melee focused.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
150%
Character development in the game is criticized for being disjointed and lacking depth, leaving players without a meaningful connection to the characters or the story. While the world and character designs are visually appealing, the narrative fails to provide context or emotional engagement, particularly for veterans of the series.
- “The character development in this game is incredibly rich, allowing players to form deep connections with each character.”
- “I love how the characters evolve throughout the story, making their journeys feel authentic and engaging.”
- “The backstories and personal growth of the characters add layers to the narrative, making every decision feel impactful.”
- “The way the story is told is awful; it jumps in without any context and doesn't make any sense for Surge 1 veterans. It's very disjointed, lacking character development, and gives me no reason to care about anything or any of these people.”
- “Character development is virtually non-existent, making it hard to connect with the characters or invest in their journeys.”
- “The characters feel flat and underdeveloped, leaving me feeling indifferent to their struggles and motivations.”