The Surge Walkthrough: Your 100% Completion Guide
Hey guys! Ready to dive deep into the world of The Surge and achieve that sweet, sweet 100% completion? This guide is your one-stop-shop for mastering the game, conquering its challenges, and uncovering every hidden secret. We'll break down everything from basic combat to the trickiest boss fights, ensuring you don't miss a single thing. So, gear up, implant those modules, and let's get started!
Understanding the Basics of The Surge
Before we jump into the nitty-gritty walkthrough, let's make sure we're all on the same page with The Surge's core mechanics. This isn't your typical hack-and-slash; it's a strategic combat game with a heavy emphasis on targeted dismemberment and resource management. Understanding these mechanics is crucial for survival and, of course, 100% completion.
First, combat in The Surge revolves around stamina management and precise targeting. You can't just button-mash your way through encounters. Each attack, dodge, and block consumes stamina, and running out leaves you vulnerable. Pay attention to your stamina bar and learn to time your actions effectively. This means learning enemy attack patterns, knowing when to strike, and when to back off to recharge. The game encourages aggressive play, but controlled aggression. Don't get greedy with your attacks, or you'll find yourself quickly overwhelmed.
Next, targeted dismemberment is the heart and soul of The Surge. Instead of simply reducing an enemy's health to zero, you can target specific limbs to acquire schematics for new weapons and armor. These schematics are essential for upgrading your gear and becoming more powerful. To target a limb, lock onto the enemy and use the right stick (on consoles) or the corresponding keys (on PC) to cycle through the available targets. Limbs highlighted in blue are unarmored and easier to damage, while those in yellow are armored and require more effort to sever. Prioritize armored limbs if you're after a specific piece of gear, but don't neglect the unarmored ones, as they often provide valuable crafting materials.
Finally, resource management is key to your survival in The Surge. You'll constantly be scavenging for scrap, the game's primary currency, which is used to upgrade your gear, craft new items, and level up your core power. Scrap is obtained by defeating enemies, exploring the environment, and dismantling unwanted gear. Be sure to thoroughly explore each area to find hidden caches of scrap. Also, pay attention to the risk multiplier. This increases the amount of scrap you earn from defeating enemies, but it also decreases if you die. Finding the right balance between risk and reward is essential for maximizing your scrap income.
Sector-by-Sector Walkthrough
Alright, let's get into the meat of the walkthrough. We'll break down each sector of The Surge, highlighting key items, challenging encounters, and hidden areas. Remember, thorough exploration is key to 100% completion, so don't be afraid to stray off the beaten path.
Prologue: The Beginning
The game starts with a brief prologue where you customize your character and learn the basic controls. There isn't much to find here, so just follow the on-screen prompts and progress through the area.
CREO Facility
This is the first real sector of the game, and it's where you'll learn the ropes of combat and exploration. Pay close attention to the tutorials and experiment with different weapons and armor. Key items to look out for include the MG Negotiator weapon schematic (obtained by severing the right arm of the first security guard) and the PROTECT armor set (found in various locations throughout the sector).
- Early Enemies: Focus on learning their attack patterns. The basic workers are weak but can overwhelm you in groups. The security guards are tougher but telegraph their attacks clearly.
 - Hidden Areas: Explore every nook and cranny. There are several hidden areas containing scrap, crafting materials, and even entire armor sets. Look for pathways that seem out of place or require a bit of platforming to reach.
 - Boss Fight: PAX: This is your first major challenge. PAX is a large, heavily armored robot that attacks with powerful melee strikes. The key to defeating PAX is to stay mobile and exploit its weaknesses. Focus on targeting its legs to cripple its movement, then attack its unarmored core when it's vulnerable.
 
Resolve Biolabs
The Resolve Biolabs are a more challenging sector, filled with mutated creatures and environmental hazards. Key items to look out for include the ASTir SpectreBite weapon schematic (obtained by severing the right arm of the enemies wielding it) and the Black Cerberus armor set (found in a hidden area behind a waterfall).
- Tougher Enemies: The enemies in this sector are faster and more aggressive than those in the CREO Facility. Be prepared to dodge and block frequently. The mutated creatures are particularly dangerous, as they can inflict poison and other status effects.
 - Environmental Hazards: Watch out for toxic gas, electrified floors, and other environmental hazards. These can quickly deplete your health and stamina. Use your environment to your advantage. Lure enemies into traps or use explosive barrels to deal massive damage.
 - Boss Fight: LU-74 "Firebug": This boss is a fast-moving, fire-based enemy that can be difficult to hit. The key to defeating LU-74 is to use ranged attacks and exploit its weaknesses to electricity. Stay mobile and avoid getting caught in its flames.
 
Research and Development
The Research and Development sector is a labyrinthine complex filled with puzzles and secrets. Key items to look out for include the FORCE Hook weapon schematic (obtained by severing the right arm of the enemies wielding it) and the Rhino armor set (found in a locked room that requires a keycard).
- Puzzles: This sector is full of puzzles that require you to manipulate the environment to progress. Pay attention to your surroundings and look for clues. Some puzzles require you to activate switches in a specific order, while others require you to use your drone to manipulate objects.
 - Secrets: There are many hidden areas and secrets in this sector. Explore every nook and cranny to uncover them. Some secrets require you to use your drone to access hidden areas, while others require you to solve complex puzzles.
 - Boss Fight: Big Sister 1/3: This boss is a hulking, heavily armored robot that attacks with powerful melee strikes and ranged attacks. The key to defeating Big Sister 1/3 is to stay mobile and exploit its weaknesses. Focus on targeting its unarmored legs to cripple its movement, then attack its head when it's vulnerable.
 
Central Production B
The Central Production B sector is a sprawling factory filled with dangerous machinery and hostile robots. Key items to look out for include the Codename: Engelhart weapon schematic (obtained by severing the right arm of the enemies wielding it) and the Liquidator armor set (found in a hidden area behind a conveyor belt).
- Dangerous Machinery: Watch out for moving platforms, crushing machines, and other dangerous machinery. These can instantly kill you if you're not careful. Use your environment to your advantage. Lure enemies into traps or use explosive barrels to deal massive damage.
 - Hostile Robots: The robots in this sector are heavily armored and equipped with powerful weapons. Be prepared to dodge and block frequently. Focus on targeting their weak points, such as their heads and legs.
 - Boss Fight: The Warden: This boss is a heavily armored security guard that attacks with a powerful electric baton. The key to defeating The Warden is to stay mobile and exploit its weaknesses to fire. Use ranged attacks and avoid getting caught in its electric field.
 
Executive Forum
The Executive Forum is the final sector of the game, and it's where you'll confront the final boss. Key items to look out for include the Twinrig weapons and the Angel VI armor set.
- Final Challenges: The enemies in this sector are the toughest in the game. Be prepared to use all of your skills and knowledge to survive.
 - Boss Fight: H.A.R.O.L.D.: This is the final boss of the game, and it's a formidable opponent. H.A.R.O.L.D. is a massive robot that attacks with a variety of weapons and abilities. The key to defeating H.A.R.O.L.D. is to stay mobile, exploit its weaknesses, and use all of your resources.
 
Achieving 100% Completion
To achieve 100% completion in The Surge, you'll need to do more than just beat the game. You'll also need to collect all of the weapons, armor sets, implants, and collectibles.
- Collectibles: There are many collectibles hidden throughout the game, including audio logs, data pads, and scrap piles. Be sure to thoroughly explore each area to find them all.
 - Weapons and Armor: To collect all of the weapons and armor sets, you'll need to sever the limbs of specific enemies. Refer to online guides and wikis for a complete list of the required limbs.
 - Implants: Implants are found throughout the game and provide various stat boosts and abilities. Be sure to collect them all.
 - Side Quests: Complete all of the side quests to earn additional rewards and unlock hidden areas.
 
Tips and Tricks for Success
Here are a few tips and tricks to help you succeed in The Surge:
- Master the Combat System: The combat system in The Surge is complex but rewarding. Take the time to learn the nuances of blocking, dodging, and targeted dismemberment.
 - Experiment with Different Weapons and Armor: There are many different weapons and armor sets in the game, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Experiment to find the ones that suit your playstyle.
 - Upgrade Your Gear: Upgrading your gear is essential for survival. Use scrap to upgrade your weapons, armor, and implants.
 - Explore Thoroughly: Thorough exploration is key to finding hidden areas, collectibles, and valuable resources.
 - Don't Be Afraid to Die: Death is a part of the game. Don't be afraid to experiment and learn from your mistakes.
 
So there you have it – your comprehensive guide to achieving 100% completion in The Surge! Remember to be patient, explore thoroughly, and never give up. Good luck, and happy hunting!