Open Surge, a fun 2D retro platformer

about open emerge

In the next article we are going to take a look at Open Surge. This is a fun Retro 2D platformer inspired by Sonic games. It is available to install very easily through the Ubuntu software option using its corresponding Snap package. In addition to a fun 2D retro platformer, it also offers users a game creation system that will allow us to unleash our creativity.

Open Surge is free, open source, and written from scratch in C language, using the Allegro game programming library. This game it is currently available for Microsoft Windows and GNU / Linux. It is also still in development.

Open Surge is two projects in one: a game and a game creation system (game engine). The project has been started by Alexandre Martins, a developer from Brazil. Although today, Open Surge has collaborators all over the world.

How to play Open Surge

Capture a player in Open Surge

To this game can be played using a joystick or keyboard. If you use the keyboard, the default keys are the following:

  • Arrows → move the character.
  • Space → jump.
  • Enter → pause.
  • Esc → exit.
  • Left Ctrl → switch characters.
  • Same (=) → take a snapshot.
  • F12 → open the editor.

double character in open surge

These are the predefined controls. If you are interested configure different buttons for tasks like jumping, pausing the game, etc., it will be necessary to reconfigure the controls. As indicated in their Wiki we just have to open config / input.def using a simple text editor like Notepad or any other, and then follow the instructions given there.

options available from open surge

If you are interested use a joystick to playAll you have to do is connect it and start playing. Although we must ensure that the option 'Use gamepad'is set to' YES 'in the options screen, as can be seen in the previous screenshot. More information about how to play this 2D game can be found on the Project Wiki.

Install Open Surge on Ubuntu

Open Surge has been made available to users as snap package. In Ubuntu 18.04 and higher we will be able to install it very easily. We will only have to open the Ubuntu software option and look in it "OpenSurge"

installation from Ubuntu software center

If you prefer use terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T) for the installation, you just have to open a window and write the command in it:

open installation comes up as snap package

sudo snap install opensurge

Once installed, we will only have to go to «Show Applications" Y find the game launcher in our team to start playing:

open surge launcher

How do I create a game?

We will be able to use Open Surge to create our own games. From the editor we will be able to create new levels, objects, bosses, game mechanics, playable characters, special abilities and much more. In order to create our games, we will have to follow the steps indicated in the project GitHub page.

level editor

First, we will have to learn how to create a level using the built-in editor (hit F12 during gameplay).

Next, we are going to have to learn something from basic hacking (modify the images / sounds, create new scenarios, new characters, etc.).

Finally, it's time to spend time on scripts. SurgeScript is the scripting language that appears in Open Surge, and that it will offer us the maximum power to create what you want.

To get more information about all the processes necessary to create our own game, we can use the Project Wiki and see the video tutorials made by the engine developer.

Uninstall Open Surge

To remove the game from our system, we can either uninstall it using Ubuntu software option o by opening a terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T) and typing in it the command:

uninstall open surge snap

sudo snap remove opensurge

In his web page, the creator of the game requests support for Open Surge by doing a donation, since this game is created independently and the contribution of users directly helps its development.


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