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Horror (and horror videogames especially) is a genre that is usually quite hit-or-miss and, EA's sci-fi horror shooter Dead Space is a definite hit. While it does borrow heavily from other media, it also contributes plenty of its own. It hits just right the mix of in-game plot, back story, presentation, and pant-wetting fear; you would be hard-pressed to find a better Horror title this generation.
For those out of the loop, the game takes place in the distant future where humans survive via a process called ?Planet-Cracking? whereupon minerals are mined from planets, which are blown apart, for human consumption. When the crown-jewel of the planet-cracking fleet, a ship named the USG Ishimura, goes silent the USG Kellion is sent to investigate. On board the Kellion are Computer Specialist Kendra Daniels, Security Office Zach Hammond, and the player?s character: an engineer named Isaac Clarke, congratulations to those of you that get the joke. They discover that the ship has been overrun by some intergalactic monsters who are taking over the bodies of the crew of the ship: the Necromorphs.
While as a whole the ?alien infection on a spaceship that goes quiet? plotline is nothing really new, Dead Space does have what I find to be a phenomenal story. Isaac is on the ship looking for his wife Nicole while he runs around and repairs parts of the ship in an attempt to get it operational again, but that whole side story really falls on deaf ears (no pun intended) because Isaac never speaks so it?s incredibly hard to sympathize with him. What this does do, however, is make me feel like I myself am in the game, making for very tense moments. I also found Kendra and Hammond likable and cared what happened to them. Combined with the audio logs you find, animated comics, and animated film the game has a very solid narrative and enthralling back story.
On the topic of tense moments I have to take a second to say that the immersion in this game is fan-fucking-tastic. The graphics are great (although it?s so dark in some areas you might not see a lot of it) and ambient sounds create a tense environment. Necromorphs use tactics such as disguising themselves as dead bodies, hiding in vents, and group sneak attacks to keep you on edge. Also the dead bodies, including victims of obvious mass suicide, allow the game to picture in their head what happened as the Ishimura descended into hell.
A story and atmosphere is all well and good but a game needs, well, gameplay to be truly great. In this department Dead Space steps up with excellent quality. The combat (and there is a lot of it) in the game is based around a concept called Strategic Dismemberment. Basically, instead of the average head or body shot in most games you must sever the limbs of your enemies to kill them quickly. This is a fantastic addition to the game and can make for nerve-wracking moments as you try cut the legs off the monster running at you.
Your tools for dismemberment are very fun to use as well, from the pistol-like plasma cutter to the pulse rifle to the razor-disc launching ripper every weapon in the game is satisfying and makes every kill feel solid. You can also upgrade your weapons with ?power-nodes? found about the ship, while also making use of some limited telekinesis and slow-motion abilities.
The Necromorphs themselves are intriguing and horrifying as well. Monstrous tentacled babies, pregnant monsters, and massive 10 foot tall brutes all make an appearance in Dead Space, as do many others. Each monster is design is cleverly thought out and fairly horrifying as well as gory.
However, gamers playing the game that wish for a survival-horror experience may not be pleased. While the game is definitely scary and incredibly atmospheric, there is a large emphasis on shooting and a lot of ammo to go around. While on harder difficulties you will have less ammo and health as well as fighting stronger enemies, you?re still going to be killing every enemy you come in contact with an almost never running.
All things said Dead Space is a great horror game that has its flaws but is definitely greater than the sum of its parts. It borrows from other horror classics such as System Shock 2 and the shoulder-camera from Resident Evil 4, so if you enjoy those you?ll likely enjoy Dead Space. If you are a fan of science-fiction or horror I would heartily recommend this game. However, if you are in staunch opposition to horror games, Dead Space won?t change your mind. Still, I think it was one of the best games of 2008 and is easily worth sixty dollars.
A/N:So what'd you think? As I said, its my first. Any constructive criticism is welcomed and asked for. Thanks.
Horror (and horror videogames especially) is a genre that is usually quite hit-or-miss and, EA's sci-fi horror shooter Dead Space is a definite hit. While it does borrow heavily from other media, it also contributes plenty of its own. It hits just right the mix of in-game plot, back story, presentation, and pant-wetting fear; you would be hard-pressed to find a better Horror title this generation.
For those out of the loop, the game takes place in the distant future where humans survive via a process called ?Planet-Cracking? whereupon minerals are mined from planets, which are blown apart, for human consumption. When the crown-jewel of the planet-cracking fleet, a ship named the USG Ishimura, goes silent the USG Kellion is sent to investigate. On board the Kellion are Computer Specialist Kendra Daniels, Security Office Zach Hammond, and the player?s character: an engineer named Isaac Clarke, congratulations to those of you that get the joke. They discover that the ship has been overrun by some intergalactic monsters who are taking over the bodies of the crew of the ship: the Necromorphs.
While as a whole the ?alien infection on a spaceship that goes quiet? plotline is nothing really new, Dead Space does have what I find to be a phenomenal story. Isaac is on the ship looking for his wife Nicole while he runs around and repairs parts of the ship in an attempt to get it operational again, but that whole side story really falls on deaf ears (no pun intended) because Isaac never speaks so it?s incredibly hard to sympathize with him. What this does do, however, is make me feel like I myself am in the game, making for very tense moments. I also found Kendra and Hammond likable and cared what happened to them. Combined with the audio logs you find, animated comics, and animated film the game has a very solid narrative and enthralling back story.
On the topic of tense moments I have to take a second to say that the immersion in this game is fan-fucking-tastic. The graphics are great (although it?s so dark in some areas you might not see a lot of it) and ambient sounds create a tense environment. Necromorphs use tactics such as disguising themselves as dead bodies, hiding in vents, and group sneak attacks to keep you on edge. Also the dead bodies, including victims of obvious mass suicide, allow the game to picture in their head what happened as the Ishimura descended into hell.
A story and atmosphere is all well and good but a game needs, well, gameplay to be truly great. In this department Dead Space steps up with excellent quality. The combat (and there is a lot of it) in the game is based around a concept called Strategic Dismemberment. Basically, instead of the average head or body shot in most games you must sever the limbs of your enemies to kill them quickly. This is a fantastic addition to the game and can make for nerve-wracking moments as you try cut the legs off the monster running at you.
Your tools for dismemberment are very fun to use as well, from the pistol-like plasma cutter to the pulse rifle to the razor-disc launching ripper every weapon in the game is satisfying and makes every kill feel solid. You can also upgrade your weapons with ?power-nodes? found about the ship, while also making use of some limited telekinesis and slow-motion abilities.
The Necromorphs themselves are intriguing and horrifying as well. Monstrous tentacled babies, pregnant monsters, and massive 10 foot tall brutes all make an appearance in Dead Space, as do many others. Each monster is design is cleverly thought out and fairly horrifying as well as gory.
However, gamers playing the game that wish for a survival-horror experience may not be pleased. While the game is definitely scary and incredibly atmospheric, there is a large emphasis on shooting and a lot of ammo to go around. While on harder difficulties you will have less ammo and health as well as fighting stronger enemies, you?re still going to be killing every enemy you come in contact with an almost never running.
All things said Dead Space is a great horror game that has its flaws but is definitely greater than the sum of its parts. It borrows from other horror classics such as System Shock 2 and the shoulder-camera from Resident Evil 4, so if you enjoy those you?ll likely enjoy Dead Space. If you are a fan of science-fiction or horror I would heartily recommend this game. However, if you are in staunch opposition to horror games, Dead Space won?t change your mind. Still, I think it was one of the best games of 2008 and is easily worth sixty dollars.
A/N:So what'd you think? As I said, its my first. Any constructive criticism is welcomed and asked for. Thanks.
