The Surge 2

The Surge 2 is a top-notch, expansive action role-playing game that centers on skill-based combat. This multiplatform game adds new tactical elements to its already highly successful and well-crafted predecessor, thereby advancing the genre as a whole.
The outstanding combat system relies on stamina management and precise controls. The enemies—who are very easy to read but initially seem overwhelmingly powerful—are the game’s main focus and always present a satisfying challenge.
Crucially—especially from a design perspective—the game doesn’t outsmart the player; rather, every failure is the result of the player’s own mistakes. Each enemy is exceptionally well-balanced and can only be defeated using specific tactics, perfect combos, and precise timing. After winning a battle, players are rewarded with new pieces of equipment that they can strip from their opponents and put to use themselves.
Furthermore, the ingenious level design invites exploration, is highly varied, and rewards curiosity, as there’s an entire city to discover and plenty of shortcuts to find.

The DCP Jury 2020