Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 77 | 51 |
| Creator reviews (2 tracked) | – | 86 | 1 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 75% | 71 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 77% | 72 | 19 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 54 reviews sampled · 49 total reviews in window · weighted 33.9 up / 10.4 down · computed 3h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (122)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 70
“The Surge 2 is better than original. Good story and interesting gameplay with reworked leveling system, the ability to replenish health during the battle and dozens of unique weapons give you many options to search for martial art and self-realization. But loading screens, lack of detailed maps and grind are disappointment. However, even so the game is worth to go through it at least once - especially if you like Dark Souls.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The bottom line, The Surge 2 is a fairly large shift in the series and amputations are simply satisfactory. However, if I stop talking for a while as a serial killer and rather focus on the technical state of the game, I have to mention loading textures. The level is missing many times, even you or other characters. It doesn't matter if you play the performance mode or frame rate mode on consoles. The title is simply less optimized than the first episode, which, together with other shortcomings, drops the recommendation rate to 8 points out of ten. Number one earned 4 points out of 5 in the old ranking, which could be compared to the current seven to eight. So it is up to you whether you try the first episode first or jump straight into the actions and nerves of Jericho.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“The Surge 2 beats its predecessor in every aspect. One of the best souls-like games ever made.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“For all of the work that Deck 13 has put into creating an intriguing city, the actual exploration is sometimes marred by technical issues.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“The Surge 2 is still clunky, still has issues with boss fights and it still needs a bit more polish overall. Nevertheless, it poses interesting questions about power projection and how a city can fall into despair, and if it’s right or wrong to judge those affected by it.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“The Surge 2 is a solid game focused on combat, the fighting is superb, enjoyable and never becomes boring. The world is interesting, the technical aspect of the game was done competently (although there are some minor issues), and the level design, which was the most frustrating part of the previous game, was sorted out, too. About the biggest pitfall of the game is that it’s a notch too easy for some.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“The Surge 2 is like a juicy, metal-plated bone that gamers looking for a well-crafted yet brutal combat experience can really sink their teeth into: it will push them to their limits, hurt and punish in all the right ways, but offers that sweet, sweet payoff when you finally emerge victorious.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The Surge 2 is better than its predecessor in almost every regard. If you liked the first game, you're going to love this one.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“In terms of structure, level layout, and moment-to-moment gameplay it earns its place among the better Souls-likes of the last few years.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Deck13 addressed every single issue that held The Surge back in The Surge 2. It is not even necessary to have played the first, since the sequel has almost no connections to it outside of its gameplay mechanics and systems.”
read full review ↗ - 79
“The Surge 2 doesn’t feel like a massive technological step forward from the original, but on the narrative and gameplay front, it exceeds or refines the experience. Jericho City is a joy to explore, the narrative is more complex, bosses more numerous, and the excellent combat and progression system still engaging.”
read full review ↗ - 65
“The Surge 2 improves upon the first game in almost every way which is a huge testament to how far Deck 13 have come as a developer. If you disliked the first game and found no enjoyment anywhere, you’ll most likely find nothing for you here but if there were parts you enjoyed about the original, the Surge 2 improves upon it and makes the sci-fi Soulslike genre it’s own.”
read full review ↗
GameMAG
INDIANTVCZ
3DNews
Slant Magazine
Hu3br
GRYOnline.pl
RPGamer
Total Gaming Network
VGChartz
Cubed3
Nexus Hub
Gamer Guides…and 110 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Patch 6 is now live!Feb 25, 2020significant · resets scoring window
- The free JCPD Gear Pack DLC is out now!Nov 26, 2019
- New patch & free weapon DLC!Oct 22, 2019significant · resets scoring window
- Update #1 is LIVE!Sep 27, 2019
- Community Update #2: Hotfix Beta Branch 25/09/19Sep 25, 2019significant · resets scoring window
- First Update on its waySep 24, 2019