OpenSurge – Looping Adventure with Custom Levels

v0.6.1.1 (June 2, 2024)

• Fixed an OpenGL‐related issue in the Flatpak edition.
• Fixed a memory‐related bug in the Entity Manager.
• Updated metadata and translations.
• Tweaked the water rendering effect for extra performance.
• Reintroduced the “Create” option in the Main Menu (for launching the level editor).
• Updated the “Thanks for Playing” screen.
• Other minor fixes and UI polish.

Support

• GitHub
• Wiki
• Offical

Donate

• GitHub
• Ko-Fi

General Gameplay Tips

• Momentum Management: Because Open Surge uses a “momentum-based” physics engine (inspired by 16-bit Sonic), always try to maintain speed before entering loops or slopes. Dashing into a slope from a run preserves momentum.
• Ring Strategy: Rings act like extra health—if you have at least one, a single hit costs some rings instead of life.
• When near hazards, prioritize collecting rings to stay protected.
• Dash Jump: Press Right + Up (or left + Up when moving left) simultaneously in mid-air for a speed burst—critical for clearing long gaps.
• Underwater Navigation: When submerged, movement slows to about 60% of normal speed. Hold Space to “swim up” (holds Surge near the surface). Look for bubbles to replenish oxygen; failure to resurface costs a life.
• Enemy Interaction: Most ground enemies can be “stomped” (jump on top), but some (e.g., turret robots) require a dash attack (run through them at full speed).

Using the Level Editor (Press F12 In-Game)

1. Creating a New Level:

• Press F12 → File → New Level. Set resolution (default 320×240), background color, and music track (OGG format).
• Place Start Point (Spawn icon) and Goal Post (Green flag).
• Paint tiles using the “Tile Palette” (press T) for ground, platforms, and hazards (spikes, water).
• Use “Gimmick Palette” to place moving platforms, springs, conveyor belts, etc.

2. Scripting with SurgeScript:

• Open the SurgeScript Console (press ~). Use built-in templates to define custom behaviors (e.g., new enemy AI, boss logic).
• Example snippet to spawn a custom power-up:

object "CustomPower"
{
sprite = "power.png";
state "active"
{
Activate = [ Player.collidesWith(self) → { Player.give("SpeedBoost", 5.0); kill(self);} ];
}
}

• Save scripts under user/scripts/levels/YourLevelName.sgs.

3. Testing & Exporting:

• Press Ctrl + T to “Test Level in Engine.” Check for unreachable sections or tile leaks.
• For distribution, export your levelset as a .zip containing the level file, asset folder (tilesets/, sprites/, musics/), and a manifest.sgs file.
• Place custom levelsets under ~/.local/share/opensurge/user/levels/ (Linux) or %APPDATA%opensurgeuserlevels (Windows).

Advanced Engine Tips

Mod Loader & Import Utility:

• To load a MOD, simply place its folder under mods/ in your user directory and enable it in Options → Mods. The “Import Utility” will auto-upgrade older MODs to the current SurgeScript API version.
• MODs can override core assets (e.g., sprites/, levels/, musics/). Follow the developer guidelines in CONTRIBUTING.md.

Multiplayer:

• Open Surge supports local split-screen (two gamepads) or network play via UDP. To host a game, run:

opensurge --network --host

On clients:

opensurge --network --connect <host_ip>

• For mobile, the Android port includes on-screen joystick support. For best results, pair a Bluetooth controller.

Performance Tweaks:

• If you experience frame drops on older GPUs, launch with:

opensurge --disable-shaders --low-memory

This disables wavy water shaders and lowers texture cache usage.

• On Linux, use the Flatpak version (link above) for sandboxed, consistent performance across distributions.

1. Startup & First Steps

• Launch Open Surge. If prompted, select your “Desktop Mode” or “Mobile Mode” (for Android).
• Main Menu → Play → Surge the Rabbit Campaign.
• Controls (Desktop):
• 1.a. Arrow Keys ←/→ (Move), ↑ (Jump), ↓ (Crouch), Space (Jump/Interact), Ctrl (Switch Character, if unlocked), F12 (Open Level Editor).
• 1.b. Gamepad: D-pad or analog stick ←/→ (Move), A (Jump), B (Crouch), X (Switch Character), Start (Pause).

2. Level 1: “Green Zone”

• Objective: Guide Surge across rolling hills, avoid spikes, and reach the goal post.
• Tips:
• Perform a dash jump (hold Right → press Up quickly) to clear small pits.
• Collect rings for extra score (no penalty on death—rings respawn).
• Look for hidden springs (bouncing vines) to reach bonus areas.

3. Level 2: “Sunny Meadows”

• New Gimmicks: Introduces Conveyor Belts. Stand on the belt to be carried in its direction (red = fast, blue = slow).
• Strategy:
• Time your jump when stepping off a belt, or else you will slide into hazards.
• Use rings to stock up before a long jump—collect rings mid-air for minor speed boosts.
• Mid-air dash (press Right+Up simultaneously while airborne) lets you clear farther gaps.

4. Level 3: “Waterworks Zone”

• Underwater & New Physics: When submerged, Surge’s movement is slowed and buoyant.
• Controls:
• While underwater, hold Space to “swim up” as if holding a balloon (similar to 16-bit “dunk” physics).
• An audible countdown warns when oxygen runs low; surface quickly to reset.
• Tips:
• Look for bubbles—they replenish oxygen.
• Use underwater springs to launch to upper platforms.
• Beware of electric eels (avoid contact or use dash to pass quickly).

5. Level 4: “Factory Rampage”

• Gimmicks Introduced: Conveyor Belts ×2, Power Pluggy (electrical switches), moving platforms.
• Objective: Activate three Power Pluggy switches to unlock the final door.
• Walkthrough:
• Head right, use springs to the upper walkway (avoid spinning gears).
• First switch: crouch + press (↓ + Space) to interact with a panel. Watch out for electrified floors (timed).
• Drop down, ride a conveyor belt backwards (left) to reach a hidden crate—inside is a ring collectible.
• Proceed right, ride the moving platform up to the second switch.
• For the final switch, use a spring to catapult through a spike pit. Land on a platform that leads to the exit once all three are activated.

6. Mid-Game “Desert Tomb” Levels (Levels 5–10)

• New Mechanics: Sand pits (slows movement), Spikes, and Bomb Crates (press Punch – default Ctrl – to stun enemies).
• Strategy:
• In sand, maintain momentum with dash jumps—letting Surge walk slowly drains ring count faster.
• Bomb Crates can clear crumbling walls; throw them by pressing X while adjacent.
• Use rings to cushion damage—Surge loses rings instead of dying on first hit.

7. Late-Game “Sky Fortress” Levels (Levels 11–15)

• Advanced Platforming: Features Moving Clouds, Vertical Launchers, and Enemy Turrets.
• Key Tips:
• Use vertical launchers (bounce blocks with up + Down) to gain extra height—time your release to land on the next cloud.
• Enemy turrets pop out at intervals—observe their pattern (red flash means “fire” in 0.5 sec).
• Collect Power Ups (Speed Boost, Shield) from hidden blocks to breeze through turret gauntlets.

8. Endgame “Final Showdown” (Boss Level)

• Boss Mechanics: Surge’s archenemy “Broodile”; he charges left and right, then stomps to break the floor.
  Walkthrough:
• Wait until Broodile finishes a stomp, then dash under his legs and strike him from behind (press A) three times.
• After three hits, he becomes invulnerable and sends shockwaves—time your jumps to avoid.
• On the final phase, he summons three mini-robots—defeat them quickly by stomping on top (←/→ + Down).
• Once defeated, collect the Golden Surge Medal at the stage’s end.