Surge (2018)

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Surge is a small-scale 2.5D action-adventure that takes familiar Metroidvania ideas and gives them an interesting science-fiction twist. Created by Campus ADN 2017-2018 and published by Campus ADN, it originated as a student capstone project, which helps put its modest size and occasional rough edges into perspective. Rather than attempting to overwhelm players with dozens of systems, it focuses heavily on exploration, platforming, upgrades, and a distinctive mechanical-arm traversal system. The result is a relatively compact experience with some genuinely creative ideas behind its movement and world design. The adventure follows Dr. Lazarus, a scientist suffering from memory loss and missing an arm. Humanity has become dependent on an energy source known as Infinium, but the technology carries a disturbing consequence because of its damaging effects on the human brain. Lazarus must investigate what happened, recover pieces of his past, and attempt to prevent the situation from becoming even worse. He is assisted by Galatea, his personal artificial intelligence, adding another technological element to a story already centered on scientific ambition and its consequences. The narrat…

Looks neat but unfortunately the controls are janky enough that I could not continue past the first boss

Игра «Surge» — это увлекательный шутер с элементами стелс-игры, где игроки управляют кибернетическими агентами в мрачном будущем. Графика выразительная, а боевая система динамичная, с возможностью использовать различные виды оружия и навыки. Сюжет скучен, но зато геймплей захватывает: каждый уровень — это новая головоломка, где нужно учитывать слабости врагов и окружение. Однако повторяемость миссий и минимальное количество персонажей снижают долгосрочную привлекательность. Для любителей аркадного действия — отличный выбор, но фанатам глубокого сюжета может показаться скудновато.

Couldn't progress past the first boss, and there's overall a bit of sluggishness and jank, but this is very impressive for a student project/free game. There's the bones of a real good game here.

Nice!