The Surge 2 already looks like a step up

Don’t touch the statues

Despite glossing over The Surge at launch and then just never getting around to it, I’m pleased Deck 13 is having another go at its sci-fi property. It’s a chance to clean up some of the technical and design annoyances and move the limb-obsessed action-RPG combat into a more captivating setting.

Today’s gameplay trailer covers what Ray spoke about at E3. The new locale, Jericho City, has a man-made forest with cloaked mercenaries roaming around to stalk your custom-made protagonist. Take special note of the hulking axe that can be split into two smaller, faster weapons mid-attack.

The video contains less than a minute of footage, but it’s a nice little check-in. I’m particularly on board with the concept of “park guardians” that mask their true nature using an extravagant statue exterior.

Depending on where exactly it lands, there’s room for The Surge 2 to stand out next year. From Software’s Sekiro is scheduled for March and Team Ninja’s Nioh 2 is out of sight right now.