The Surge

Underrated gem 7.5/10 The Surge is probably one of the most overlooked souls-like game I have ever had the pleasure of completing. The story and lore bits scattered throughout the levels are actually really interesting, the limb dismemberment system is really fun and unique, the weapons and armor sets all have a cool esthetic. This game has a lot going for it, but the thing that keeps me from rating it higher is how janky the combat and movement feels. I've also experience consistent crashes unlike any other game i have played on steam, and I've played through the fallout games on here, so that says something. Even though there is a lot to criticize in this game, i had an overall good experience. something that i was honestly not expecting. If its ever on sale i would recommend a souls-like fan to pick it up and give it a try.

[h1]TL;DR:[/h1] 100% completion (all achievements, including DLCs). I finished the game twice (NG and NG+) and ended up with around 48 hours of playtime. Overall, it’s a very fun and unique souls-like with a distinctive sci-fi setting. I’m definitely looking forward to playing the sequel... in my backlog. [h1]Detailed Review[/h1] One of the game’s strongest aspects is its [u][b]level design[/b][/u]. The maps are highly interconnected, with numerous shortcuts looping back to the Operations rooms (the game’s equivalent of bonfires). Each area generally revolves around a central hub, which makes exploration feel structured and rewarding. At times, the environments can feel like a maze, especially since many maintenance corridors look quite similar, but this also adds to the atmosphere and immersion. [u][b]Exploration [/b][/u] is a major part of the experience. Unlocking implants, experimenting with builds, and trying out different weapons and gear sets was very enjoyable, particularly during my first playthrough. I really liked the mechanic where you must target and sever specific enemy limbs to obtain crafting materials and blueprints. In NG+, I mostly settled on one of the DLC gear sets. None of them felt overpowered, but collecting and upgrading equipment remained satisfying throughout. As someone with average experience in souls-like games, I didn’t find this title especially [u][b]difficult[/b][/u]. I was rarely stuck on encounters for long, usually no more than an hour on any boss. Some gadgets, such as the knock-down drone, felt quite overpowered and could make certain fights significantly easier. The [u][b]progression [/b][/u] system is another highlight. Character growth focuses less on traditional leveling and more on acquiring and upgrading gear and implants, which fits the game’s setting very well. NG+, however, felt somewhat underwhelming overall. While there are a few extra new human enemies, with random high-level gear, the experience doesn’t change drastically and mostly becomes another cycle of upgrading gear to higher tiers. You can continue into multiple NG+ runs, but I mainly completed it once to obtain the alternate ending and achieve full completion. Regarding the [u][b]DLC, "A Walk in the Park" [/b][/u] is absolutely a must-buy. It expands the story and introduces a very well-designed new area that integrates seamlessly into the main game, making exploration feel fresh and meaningful. [u][b]"The Good, the Bad and the Augmented" DLC[/b][/u], on the other hand, was less enjoyable in my opinion. It plays more like an additional challenge mode, loosely tied into the story. While it may be necessary for 100% achievement completion, I didn’t find the gameplay/levels as engaging as the rest of the game. The various [u][b]gear DLCs[/b][/u] are also worthwhile. I didn’t even realize I was encountering DLC equipment during my first playthrough, which shows how well they are integrated into the game’s exploration. Unlike some games that hand you overpowered DLC gear early on, this title introduces it naturally and keeps it balanced. The gear is useful and fun to collect without breaking the difficulty. [u][b]Overall[/b][/u], this is a must-play for souls-like fans, mainly because of its unique setting, interconnected level design, and distinctive progression system. It may not be the hardest entry in the genre, but it offers a memorable and rewarding experience, even if it's just for one-palythrough.