Title: The Surge – Good but not Great
Author: Stunt
Recovered Author: Stunt
Published Date: 2017-05-30
Original URL: https://geeknode.co.za/2017/05/surge-exoskeleton-mayhem
Wayback URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20180201075153id_/http://www.geeknode.co.za:80/2017/05/surge-exoskeleton-mayhem/
Recovery Confidence: high

- Developer Deck13 Interactive
- Publisher Focus Home Interactive
- Distributor Apex Interactive
- Where we got our copy Apex Interactive
- Genre RPG, Survival
- Game modes Single Player
- Players 1
- Reviewed on PC

- Available on Playstation 4, Xbox One

- Where to buy Steam , Xbox Store , Playstation Store

- Stunt

- 8 months ago

- 0 0

It’s no secret that Deck 13 has taken clear inspiration from the Dark Souls series, in the development of their games. Sporting a variety of similarities, from progression to gameplay mechanics, the influence is obvious and frankly translates very well to the futuristic setting of The Surge, their latest title, which was a pleasant surprise to say the least.

As a disclaimer, it would be difficult for me to discuss The Surge without referencing Dark Souls or at least using it as a basis of comparison. Given the similarities between the titles, fans and haters of the Dark Souls series alike might not give The Surge its due time to prove its worth. So read on as I review every aspect of The Surge taking everything into account for not only my own analysis but for those of you, itching to jump into another unforgiving, Souls game

As we wave goodbye to wandering demons and dark knights, we welcome in a dystopian future where CREO, a multinational business, is set on creating a Heaven-on-Earth through the Resolve project. A project which aims to change not only the planet, but humans as well by fusing biology and technology together to achieve this goal.

Playing as Warren, a paraplegic who is hopeful in the CREO Exo-Skeleton technology allowing him to walk again, the game starts off by you taking the plunge into acquiring this technology. But things go terribly wrong, the system goes haywire and after witnessing something straight out of a horror Warren awakens, to a world that is everything but Heaven-on-Earth. Rather surrounded by modified humans with the social tact of murderous lunatics, in the now collapsed CREO institute drenched in an atmosphere confusion and uncertainty.

Deep in this chaos, there’s not much for Warren to do but test the limits of his newly acquired Exo-Skeleton as he tries to uncover the mystery he finds himself in. Able to now fully rely on his legs again and with added strength the Exo-Skeleton provides, not much else is available to Warren in the beginning and must rather be procured in a very interesting and innovative mechanic! Items and upgrades are now literally ripped from your enemies, rewarding you with armour pieces and items that an enemy brandished just moments ago.

Being able to target 5 limbs on the enemies, some which are often unarmoured, you can deal more damage. As you unleash consecutive hits, or a combo of hits, you can fill up an stamina bar which will allow you to trigger an execution. This warrants you the best drops from the given enemy and makes the rather difficult fighting system a satisfying one. It also forces you to keep a pace while also avoiding wasting the stamina accumulated, which depletes second by second as it goes unused. In a Souls-like game, where even the weakest enemies can deal an unexpected killing blow, this is an excellent addition to the dynamics of the game.

Another cool element added to the game, is a companion drone. Appearing only when summoned by the press of a key, it proves a little useless until you realise it can be used as a distraction. This comes in very handy when surrounded by numerous enemies. The drone is fortunately also able to be upgraded, allowing concussive builds to help stun enemies and even support builds which can sap stamina from enemies to replenish yours. Mostly, it’s ability to draw enemies away from me was its best use.

Innovation kind of ends here and The Surge starts boasting more and more similarities to the Souls series, which I may add is not always a pitfall for The Surge, but at times a strength.

Using technological waste as a currency, The Surge adopts the Souls mechanic of losing what you carry once you die, but allowing you to fetch it again if you manage to find your body later on. With enemies also respawning at their default locations after your death, The Surge relies on these established methods to sculpt an anxiety-inducing experience we’ve come to love from Souls games, especially when a lot of technological waste is at risk of being lost.

The combat system on the other hand, is practically cloned from Dark Souls: The rhythm and tactics of engagements are almost too familiar and accompanied by light and heavy attacks, even boss fights tend to become easily countered dances where experienced anticipation wins every time. Don’t get me wrong, I like learning and perfecting combat in such games, but variety is what keeps you hooked. The Surge fails here a little by feeling a little too rinse-and-repeat and leaving much to be desired from most encounters.

NPCs throughout The Surge are a little bland as well and none left a lasting impression. Though I might be burned at the stake for saying this, it feels similar to Dark Souls in this respect as well, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing for the game is not an RPG marvel, but rather a Souls RPG which largely focuses on gameplay above narrative direction.

Level design is simple, but has enough variety to keep you moving. Featuring smaller areas with checkpoints and shortcuts to find, The Surge chose to move away from expansive, stretched out areas which would be expected from a game in its genre. Layouts are smart and uniquely laid out as well, making it difficult to get lost while navigating the many various areas.

As in Souls games, an area is completed by killing the Area boss usually found at the end of a level. This allows you to progress into the next region. Furthering your exploration, unfolding the mystery of the story and most importantly providing access to even more gear drops. This approach sets The Surge’s RPG elements in play. Each weapon, piece of armour, and upgrade for your items requires the careful collection and retention of materials you come across as you play. Settings itself apart from the norm, a Gear Assembly which can be found various points in the game world, is used to craft and or upgrade gear which acts as a levelling up dynamic towards your ultimate character build. This method is more inviting and accessible to new players in the genre, but might not be as appealing to the veterans. Even though it is easier to use, it’s somewhat of a quality over quantity flaw, supplying such range that fans of the genre, who would rather spend time tweaking and calibrating a perfect build, could lose interest in its simplicity.

The Surge’s story is lacking in almost all departments and it feels as if this was overly compensated for with the heavier focus on bloody scenes, mutilated corpses and highly detailed settings. Deck13 has attempted, with a minimalist introduction, to leave exploration and lacklustre NPC engagements to the task of dissecting the events and substance of the story. But with levels that lack freedom of exploration and stale NPC’s who recite dialogue without emotion, seemingly unaware of the disaster unfolding around them, immersion is never accomplished and rather feels like an afterthought. Even the bosses are not unique or memorable, given the setting of the game, there is a lot of freedom in expression and creativity that could’ve been pursued for The Surge, to make it a more captivating and enjoyable experience.

The Surge is ultimately a Souls game in every way, and carries the pros and cons of this genre with it. The combat system works, is proven, and supplies effective variation in its formula to distinguish itself within the genre at least. But with games of the likes of the true Souls games and even NioH available on the market, The Surge does not quite set itself apart enough to stand out among these titles. I for one thoroughly enjoyed the experience, but could easily pick away at the flaws that Souls fans would find unavoidable and possibly off putting.

Regardless though, true fans of the genre will care less for such things as they rather jump head first into tough challenges where death lays beyond every poor dodge or missed attack, as they attempt to perfect their play styles and pursue the perfect build.

It’s no secret that Deck 13 has taken clear inspiration from the Dark Souls series, in the development of their games. Sporting a variety of similarities, from progression to gameplay mechanics, the influence is obvious and frankly translates very well to the futuristic setting of The Surge, their latest title, which was a pleasant surprise to say the least. As a disclaimer, it would be difficult for me to discuss The Surge without referencing Dark Souls or at least using it as a basis of comparison. Given the similarities between the titles, fans and haters of the Dark Souls series alike might not give The Surge its due time to prove its worth. So read on as I review every aspect of The Surge taking everything into account for not only my own analysis but for those of you, itching to jump into another unforgiving, Souls game As we wave goodbye to wandering demons and dark knights, we welcome in a dystopian future where CREO, a multinational business, is set on creating a Heaven-on-Earth through the Resolve project. A project which aims to change not only the planet, but humans as well by fusing biology and technology together to achieve this goal. Playing as Warren, a paraplegic who is hopeful in the CREO Exo-Skeleton technology allowing him to walk again, the game starts off by you taking the plunge into acquiring this technology. But things go terribly wrong, the system goes haywire and after witnessing something straight out of a horror Warren awakens, to a world that is everything but Heaven-on-Earth. Rather surrounded by modified humans with the social tact of murderous lunatics, in the now collapsed CREO institute drenched in an atmosphere confusion and uncertainty. Deep in this chaos, there’s not much for Warren to do but test the limits of his newly acquired Exo-Skeleton as he tries to uncover the mystery he finds himself in. Able to now fully rely on his legs again and with added strength the Exo-Skeleton provides, not much else is available to Warren in the beginning and must rather be procured in a very interesting and innovative mechanic! Items and upgrades are now literally ripped from your enemies, rewarding you with armour pieces and items that an enemy brandished just moments ago. Being able to target 5 limbs on the enemies, some which are often unarmoured, you can deal more damage. As you unleash consecutive hits, or a combo of hits, you can fill up an stamina bar which will allow you to trigger an execution. This warrants you the best drops from the given enemy and makes the rather difficult fighting system a satisfying one. It also forces you to keep a pace while also avoiding wasting the stamina accumulated, which depletes second by second as it goes unused. In a Souls-like game, where even the weakest enemies can deal an unexpected killing blow, this is an excellent addition to the dynamics of the game. Another cool element added to the game,…

Video Game Review: The Surge – Good but not Great

Video Game Review: The Surge – Good but not Great

2017-05-30

Stunt

Good but not great.

Total - 7

70
7

The Surge is a good but not great entry into the Souls genre. Even though it sets itself a part from the series it contains too many similarities that sadly breed an expectation it doesn't fully deliver on.

It remains a definite Sale buy when it comes around to that though.

User Rating: Be the first one !

7

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Stunt

Gaming Editor / Tech Author at Geek Node

Some say that he sees the world at 144 frames per second and his thumbs are actual analog sticks. All we know is he's called Stunt.

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Article Tags:
apex interactive · Deck 13 Interactive · Exoskeleton · focus home interactive · Souls · The Surge

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Video Game Review
