The Surge is finally available on PC and consoles, giving fans of hardcore action RPGs something new to agonize over now that the Dark Souls trilogy has come to an end. But many are already discovering Deck13’s latest project is even more demanding than the FromSoftware series that inspired its creation. Fortunately, we’ve got a few tips for anyone trying to lead Warren back out of the crumbling CREO facility where he’s been trapped.
This is mostly intended for beginners. We encourage mastering some of the game’s toughest and most advanced mechanics. But most tips offered here are meant as an introduction, of sorts, to prepare you for the road ahead. So don’t expect any specific boss strategies, complex attack combos or a weapon DPS chart. If readers enjoy the game more than we did, we’re open to recording boss battle videos or other tips (as requested). For now, we just want to help you avoid a few unnecessary deaths and decide whether you’re a fan of The Surge.
Patience Is Key
This might seem self-explanatory, since The Surge is heavily inspired by Dark Souls, but most players will need to be more patient with this game than they were with any of FromSoftware’s beloved projects. Death comes much faster in The Surge. Don’t get greedy and try to force extra hits during combos. Don’t start a boss battle you don’t have the time, energy and patience to slog through. This game is designed to test people’s patience. Make sure you pass.
Learn Parry/Dodge Timing
The traditional sword-and-board approach that gets many people to the end of Souls -like games isn’t viable in The Surge . Mostly because there aren’t any shields. But you also can’t move while blocking and Warren’s stamina depletes the entire time the button is held. So it is imperative that you master the timing of the game’s dodge and parry systems. Ideally, both. Some attacks can’t be blocked and others are very tough to avoid. But having strategies for each will help reduce your number of trips back to the MedBay.
Check Your Corners
Corners aren’t your friend in The Surge. They might help you break line of sight with the current target, but you’re just as likely to wander into an ambush. Those threats are a bit different than you might remember them from other Souls-like games, which tend to push players off cliffs and other high surfaces. Instead, unseen enemies will unleash quick and deadly combos that can be difficult to dodge or parry. It’s best to approach unfamiliar corners with caution and use the camera to peek a bit before advancing. You won’t be able to lock onto discovered enemies until Warren has complete line of sight on the target. But you can at least prepare an attack strategy.
Don’t Get Attached To One Weapon
There are dozens of weapons to recover in The Surge, each with its own unique stats and attack animations, and it shouldn’t be surprising to learn that some prove more effective than others in specific combat scenarios. Everyone will obviously gravitate towards the weapon(s) they enjoy most. But make sure you’re at least mildly proficient in both fast and slow weapon classes as you work your way through The Surge. Otherwise you run the risk of reaching a boss that calls for weapons you can’t handle well.
You Can Heal During Enemy Combos
Warren doesn’t have to be on even footing to use health packs and other injectables. We haven’t figured out the exact cut-off, but healing items can be used before incoming attack animations are complete -- both in the air and between strikes in a combo -- allowing for mid-combo heals (as needed) to keep Warren on his feet. Obviously, the goal is not to need healing in these scenarios. But it’s good to know for emergency situations.
Collect And Upgrade Multiple Item Sets
No matter your preferred playstyle, most players will benefit from having at least one extra set of gear available to them. We recommend building at least one set of armor that’s heavier than your preferred exosuit. Conversely, if you prefer heavy armor, grab a few pieces of Operator-class gear. At some point, you’re going to stumble across a group of enemies that require a major adjustment to your current playstyle. Make sure you’re ready to bulk up or slim down as needed.
Remove Limbs At Every Opportunity
The equipment and crafting systems are core components of The Surge . Ignoring them virtually guarantees failure for all but a small percentage of players. While you’ll occasionally find crafting materials spread around the environment, corpses are the most consistent source of supplies in The Surge . Every fight you can end with a finishing move should be ended in exactly that fashion. Just make sure you’re carving off the limb(s) you need at the moment. Each requires different materials to be upgraded and there’s no crossover with crafting items.
Change Implants For Boss Fights
The implants that are most useful while exploring CREO’s manufacturing complex won’t always be the best choice for boss battles. Combo-focused implants tend to be less useful against bosses. The same goes for implants that reward Warren for using finishing moves. We recommend filling your slots with health upgrades, healing injectables and whatever endurance modifiers (or Core Power boosters) you have on-hand. Plasmid injectors, which replenish Warren’s health over time, can be especially helpful during The Surge’s prolonged boss battles. Just don’t forget to swap your old implants back in when you’re done.
Learn Your Stun Combos
Many weapons in Warren’s arsenal have the ability to temporarily take an enemy out of the fight. For example, two horizontal attacks to the head with twin-rigged claw weapons will knock most human enemies down for a second or two. Staves are also great for putting people on the ground. Such stun combos can be very effective against Warren’s fastest enemies, many of whom like to charge forth with a dizzying array of attacks that can be tough to dodge. Temporary stuns are also very effective during multi-enemy engagements, particularly if/when one foe is making it difficult to line up a finishing move against another. Experiment with each weapon. Figure out how to stun enemies and cancel incoming attacks against CREO’s rank and file. It’ll make a big difference.
Don’t Rely On Drones
Drones were pretty useless during my time with The Surge. They’re good for unlocking some doors, if you find an improved power source, but drones don’t serve much use in combat settings. It’s fine to rely on Warren’s flying partner for the occasional pull, if you’re trying to isolate individual members of a larger group, but don’t expect any significant contribution to your damage output.
Know When To Run
It can be difficult to gauge when The Surge has ratcheted up the difficulty to a truly absurd degree and when the player is simply making too many unforced errors. But figuring out that difference will save you thousands of tech scraps and countless trips from the MedBay back to your corpse. Sometimes, it just makes more sense to settle for the scrap you’ve accumulated thus far -- not to mention a fresh set of injectables -- and head back to Ops before you’ve discovered the next boss, path or shortcut. Fighting all the way back to your current location might not sound great. But it probably sounds better than making the same trek while the tech scrap timer counts down.
Speaking of...
Kills Replenish Your Tech Scrap Timer
Death is inevitable in The Surge. And there are bound to be a few occasions when you die far enough away from Ops that you aren’t sure how you’d ever get back to your body before your tech scrap timer expires. But it turns out that kills actually keep the clock ticking. The amount of time added back on seems to differ from enemy to enemy. But it seems to be about 20 seconds per kill on average. The timer means you can’t be as cautious as you normally might be. But you should always have plenty of time to get back to your body. It might also be helpful to know that the timer pauses while Warren is on lifts and elevators.
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The Surge is now available on PS4, Xbox One and PC.
