The Surge 2 Review

When Deck13 and Focus Home Interactive released The Surge in 2017, it divided player opinion. Some felt that the game tried to imitate the likes of Dark Souls too closely. Yet, there was plenty in the original game that was ripe for improvement, making The Surge 2 an exciting prospect. After all, if the developers could address the original’s issues, the sequel has the potential to be a great game. Of course, if they get it wrong for a second time, this is a franchise that would probably fade away permanently. So, how does The Surge 2 fare?

Story

The most notable change with the story is that you are no longer given a character. Instead, you create your very own protagonist using a creation tool. Don’t expect a substantial system but there are enough options to make your own distinctive individual. While proper characters can help a story have more development and emotional depth, this approach works for The Surge 2. It lets you get invested in the hero and feel directly attached to their actions in the world.

In the first game, the story was a bit of a mess. There was no clear direction and it seemed to drift between each important moment. The Surge 2 takes a different route. This time around, the plot is presented to you in a more direct way. You are not left to fill in the blanks as in Dark Souls either. Although the plot can still be underwhelming and rather obvious at times, it generally holds up well.

Even if the story is not quite the thrilling narrative experience you might want, it does have some redeeming features. Chief among them is the wide cast of supporting characters. Almost every location will have some interesting and charming NPCs to talk to. Learning about their backstories and what motivates them is very enjoyable. I found myself constantly wanting to talk to everyone I met, knowing it would always be worthwhile.