[BLOG] Surge Deluxe Review

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MarGe
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Joined: 01 Aug 2013, 00:34

[BLOG] Surge Deluxe Review

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Platform: PlayStation Vita
Developer: FuturLab

Release Date: 5th February 2014 (EU PSN)


All Hail PlayStation!


If you own a PlayStation 3 or a PlayStation Vita then, you should have heard of FuturLab, as they are a dedicated developer for these platforms.


My first foray into the neon coloured world delivered by FuturLab was through Velocity Ultra on the PlayStation Vita at the beginning of 2013. A year on, and we have a new upgraded game from these developers entitled Surge Deluxe.


Velocity Ultra and Surge Deluxe are quite different genres but they have in common a retro twist, bright colours and are both upgrades from PlayStation Mini titles.


Surging


As Velocity Ultra is now a year old Surge Deluxe is the focus of this write up and will be released on the PlayStation Vita on the 5th February 2013.
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If you put Tetris in a Delorean and thrust it into a re-imagined future, you would probably be thinking along the right lines for what sort of game Surge Deluxe is. A block puzzle game essentially, where the only real similarity to Tetris is that you have blocks which you have to clear, the rest is a unique game which uses the advantages of the Vita’s touch and OLED screen to create a frantic feast for the eyes, ears and fingers.


For the ears, it also has a futuristic soundtrack which was created by Joris de Man, the award winning composer who made his name on the Killzone series.


Senses


Surge Deluxe takes a simple block puzzle game and makes it addictive by progressive learning and trying to beat your own personal best and the score of others, via the leader board. Coloured blocks are also uniquely shaped so that it is friendly to colour blind players.


The simple shapes and neon colours add to the blocks vibrancy against the dark background. The blocks are easy to differentiate between meaning you grab the concept of the game quickly.


I gave this game the niece test, their ages being 4 and 11. Although the high scoring concept may not have been as prevalent in their minds. The game was very appealing to them and they enjoyed making chains and linking the coloured shapes together. This is a game suitable for all ages.
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Under Pressure


The objective is to clear the blocks, this is simple enough to do but clearing the stage and scoring big is key. This takes quick thinking and quick reactions to clear the board as the game progresses in levels.


To make rewarding chains, (electrical currents) it is ideal to include multiplier or starred blocks (which offer more points) as well as linking blocks (which can allow two or sometimes more colours / shapes to be cleared) is what takes the quick thinking. As the pressure gauge, on the right and left hand sides build, this is essentially your timer. If pressure rises to the top it is game over. To relieve pressure you need to clear a space, left to right, so that you can then create an additional link (the vent) between the two sides to relieve pressure.
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This is easy to do in the beginning stages as the gauge rises slowly but soon picks up speed as you progress through the levels. Managing the levels, blocks, colours, making electrical current links and relieving pressure is essentially what will help you to complete the levels.
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I found linking the blocks very responsive. It is easy to drag your finger backwards and forwards over the screen as if your finger was a light pen in the air. It’s very easy to create a massive squiggly link that crosses over itself, backwards and forwards to create massive chains. The difficulty comes when you have to make quick decisions using the colours and bonus blocks to complete each stage. A certain panic arises as the game delivers a pressure warning.


Each time you should progress as you learn and find your own pace, hopefully a quick one.
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New Modes


A new mode for the upgraded title is Puzzle Mode. Where a set puzzle layout will test how good you are at the game and your understanding of clearing each level to meet the target score. As well as leaderboards and trophies which aid the addiction.


Conclusion


A perfect quick game for a handheld console such as the PS Vita, is one you can pick up and play. Surge Deluxe does exactly that. Jump straight into the game’s action with the Play mode or a quick go at the Puzzle mode. Although, solving the puzzle mode may not be as quick, which gives you a sense of re-playability and perhaps a little frustration for those who don’t get them.


The larger sized screen of the PS Vita means that the precision of selecting the blocks is effortless. It is very easy to make a selection and for it to be executed.


If you would like to play for a few minutes to fill some spare time or to perfect your combos then Surge Deluxe is the perfect answer.


Colourful, vibrant, responsive and competitive. A must have for your Vita collection! 7.5/10
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