Miracle's Whip - Dead Space 2

[Sinclair Solutions]

Great review, and I agree with all of it.

I still haven't beaten Chapter 13, though. I'm fucking scared of the thought of running away from that unstoppable hunter for entire chapter lengths! But otherwise, the game is just delicious and adrenaline rushing at the same time. It did it's job well.

..Gnh.

Yeah that whole sequence is kind of a pain in the ass to be honest. I found the best way through it was to just spam Stasis and run like like from everything.

Did you do it yet?

Just beat that ************ like two hours ago. Pain in the ass. I'm glad Mercer got what was coming to him.

Anyways, great review. Now I just NEED to get this game.

 

[Meggiepants]

Sorry I took so long to read this. I had snow... and it was annoying snow. Had to be dealt with.

Loved the review, and despite not caring for the first one, you've made me want to give this a try. I think my problem with the first one was I didn't care for the plasma cutter gun thing in it. I don't know why, just didn't care for it.

But maybe, it was the combination of not caring for the story and the plasma cutter not being all that exciting to me. So since this has more compelling characters, maybe I'll like it more.

You sure make it sound exciting enough to give it a try.

 

[MiracleOfSound]

I have read elsewhere that the Dialogue in the game really does a disservice to the story/empty shell Issac embodies that the game presents - opposed to letting you fill in the blank edges of the protagonist, they fill it in with terrible (from what I've read) dialogue.

I would have to disagree with whoever wrote that. While it's certainly no Mass Effect 2, the dialogue is competently written and well acted in my opinion.

I've not played the first game, but now that it's down to $20 I think I'll pick it up and if I like it enough I'll give this game a try. Although I'm kind of hesitant to pick up a sequel after reading that EA has tried to change the game to be better selling (which usually is inversely related to quality). But, your review has piqued my interest that's for sure.

Well written, thanks for it.

Cheers

And don't worry the game oozes quality in every way. Like I said in the review, it is both innovative and fun and implements its gimmicks naturally into the experience.

 

[MiracleOfSound]

Heh. Was wondering what to expect when I saw the thread title, but I was pleasantly surprised to see who the reviewer was.

That's a very beefy review you have there, and I loved reading it! I was planning on buying this game for the PS3 anyhow, once I get a certain issue fixed...

I really like the images you used. Personally I prefer it when the pros and cons are aligned to the left rather than the medium centric alignment you've used in the review, but that's just me.

Thanks for the read! ^_^

Thanks for the kind words

Certain Issue? Yellow light maybe?

[
Just beat that ************ like two hours ago. Pain in the ass. I'm glad Mercer got what was coming to him.

Anyways, great review. Now I just NEED to get this game.

Mercer was a douchebag.

snippy.

Honestly, if you didn't like the Plasma Cutter then you might want to avoid it. It's still the best and most used gun in the game! There are some new ones though that are more like ones from 'straight' shooters. There's even a Sniper Rifle (God knows why).

 

[Hybridwolf]

The mutiplayer is fun, but it is horribly unbalanced. Either you get bumrushed by three players as a pack member who have two second respawns, or you get spawn trapped by two spitters which cause the most damage on the human side. However, as a necromorph, you won't get a chance to even hit the humans half the time due to bloody statis. That and higher levels get boosts a new player won't have acess too. So whilst a level one has basic kit, the level 25 has damage boosts and better guns. It's more fun then most mutiplayers (Assassins creed brotherhood and bioshock 2's) but it still feels just as tacky.

Apart from that, I just thought it was same old. Good fun, but not that scary. Certain parts are pretty creepy and the death scenes are awesome. Most scary parts of the game where the first time you meet the stalkers (think decomposing raptors from Jurassic Park) and crawlers, which are mutated babies. Worst part is they still sounds like a baby...

 

[MiracleOfSound]

How did you get 12 hours? I'm on chapter 9 and I've only played for about 3 hours like I said, on survivalist.

I think the answer is pretty obvious, you are obviously more skilled at shooters than most. I found the game fine for the most part but there were a few big spikes like the battle with the crawly long tailed things and fat dudes around the small marker statue, or the encounter with 2 Brutes in the

Spoiler

Ishimura

I also like to take my time with games. take in the atmosphere, explore all the side paths, stare at the vistas. It's a big part of the fun for me.

 

[Sassafrass]

An outstanding review as always, man.

Anyways, I can't comment on the game as Dead Space never really pinged on my radar and nor did this one. Buuuuuuuuuuuuut...if there is a demo of this on LIVE, when I get access to good internet on Saturday[footnote]My net is crap. Seriously, a mobile internet connection does not make a good gaming connection. [/footnote], I shall give it a download and a whirl. And if I do, do I get bonus man points for playing in the dark? XD

The visuals will make you jizz your pants and/or puke. Hopefully not simultaneously.

And thank you for this...well, horrible mental image. It is now ingrained into my mind forever and not even amnesia would make me forget it...

 

[Xooiid]

The game tends to give you the Michael Bay one-liner treatment from time to time, and some of the plot twists are holding signal flares and waving their hands at you, but Dead Space 2 is a great improvement.

Also, the Dev team probably watched the ZP review of it, saying as you're no longer spending as much time in a ruined 'Nostromo' knockoff and instead in a place that looks livable and, if not for the evil beasties everywhere and the church/government/corporate power struggle, pretty cool to be. And even though some of the one-liners were pure cheese, it gives you the sense that under the armor is a guy who is scared out of his mind and trying to make up for it with bravado as the world crumbles around him.

I did enjoy the fact that they at least made Issac what they said he was. One of the things that bothered me was that the guy was supposed to be a skilled engineer, especially from the end-of-game logs that you get to read. He's said to be a top honors grad who put himself through school because his mom dropped their money and assets into the Church, yet all you see is a guy who can jump in space, operate doors and mod mining gear with obviously placed mod slots.

In the second game they finally show this. His first weapon, and one of the best weapons IMO, is a trusty plasma cutter that you jury-rig into existence. Doors have to be hacked by re-wiring the hardboards themselves, which even if possible today would take more than an intro course. It's good to see it put to work, as well as the other aspects of the character filled in, namely his relation with the Church and his PTSD from the events of the first game.

The enemies are craftier than before, though it's sad to see that most of them still use the 'Run at full speed with limbs flailing' tactic. On the harder modes, though, this gets tossed out the window as they will re-enter vents and come from behind to attack you. I found this out the hard way in several chapters on Survivalist, and knowing about it didn't help much on Zealot. Though you can skate by on Normal using the tried and true method of shooting straight ahead, that line of thought will get you torn apart on anything higher than that.

To sum up, it's one of the few games i'll take the time to play the New Game + on. The experience keeps you coming back to relive the scenes, and even going through the game with full modded weapons and the best suits won't help much on Zealot or Hard Core mode. Also, for everyone complaining that games are too easy, try Hard Core: You have 3 saves, no checkpoints and enemies can slaughter you faster than you can realize they've outflanked you and snuck up from behind. Good luck.

 

[gonzo20]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLaLqMq0N6M jesus christ this death is just brutal! dont watch unless youve just got up to chapter 14, this is probably the part of the game that made me panic the most

 

[MiracleOfSound]

And thank you for this...well, horrible mental image. It is now ingrained into my mind forever and not even amnesia would make me forget it...

hehehe.... I know, that was evil

But after playing Dead Space 2 that image won't seem as gross compared to some of the things you've just witnessed.

 

[Anah'ya]

[HEADING=2]Verdict[/HEADING]
Buy
[/center]

Been there and done that, even though I didn't actually get to play myself. Instead I sat by and watched as the boyfriend played it; start to finish. And that hardly ruined the experience, since I was allowed to enjoy all the good things without having to deal with playing a shooter on the 360.

Lovely. Just lovely. Much like your review.

They did a marvellous job at giving Isaac a voice and fleshing out his character, ultimately curing him from GordonFreeman Syndrome. They even managed to elevate the ending (and I mean the last three seconds before the screen blacks out) with a single punctual line, lifting it from "Couldn't you have left the beaten path." to "Aright, that was pretty awesome." Taffer likes.

Anyway.

Awesome Review. As usual.

/loyal lurking reader Nr. 4589723y1

 

[Meggiepants]

Honestly, if you didn't like the Plasma Cutter then you might want to avoid it. It's still the best and most used gun in the game! There are some new ones though that are more like ones from 'straight' shooters. There's even a Sniper Rifle (God knows why).

A Sniper Rifle? So you can kill yourself faster then? Do the alien morph things laugh at you when you pull it out?

I'll still give it a try. I can rent it and see. It looks so pretty... dammit.

 

[Daedalus1942]

Nice review. Captures just about everything I've seen with the game thus far. I especially liked the pictures, they are both appropriately awesome and relevant to the surrounding text.

And I gotta say, I like the actor names for the pro/con lists.

Edit: I have to agree with you about the train sequence in Chapter 2. Easily one of the best set pieces I've ever played through.

Thanks man. I was wondering if anyone would get the Event Horizon reference and lo and behold, the very first reply

Yeah that train sequence was stunning, especially the bit where

Spoiler

He jumps from one carriage to the other

I have to disagree with that. I thought the best interactive cutscene was definately the "burn in" race against time.
That really took the game to a whole other level for me, especially the scenery whizzing past.
-Tabs<3-

 

[Daedalus1942]

The mutiplayer is fun, but it is horribly unbalanced. Either you get bumrushed by three players as a pack member who have two second respawns, or you get spawn trapped by two spitters which cause the most damage on the human side. However, as a necromorph, you won't get a chance to even hit the humans half the time due to bloody statis. That and higher levels get boosts a new player won't have acess too. So whilst a level one has basic kit, the level 25 has damage boosts and better guns. It's more fun then most mutiplayers (Assassins creed brotherhood and bioshock 2's) but it still feels just as tacky.

Apart from that, I just thought it was same old. Good fun, but not that scary. Certain parts are pretty creepy and the death scenes are awesome. Most scary parts of the game where the first time you meet the stalkers (think decomposing raptors from Jurassic Park) and crawlers, which are mutated babies. Worst part is they still sounds like a baby...

I played it for an hour and got level 8. It's hardly unbalanced. I think your team was probably crap.
There is only one map where it's horribly unbalance and almost impossible (my team managed to do it twice) for the RIG's to win.
The map is the mine.
The rest of them it is quite easy to win, I'm loving mulitiplayer.
It really is like a more strategic Left 4 Dead.
Cooperation is the key!
=Tabs<3-

 

[MiracleOfSound]

Lovely. Just lovely. Much like your review.

They did a marvellous job at giving Isaac a voice and fleshing out his character, ultimately curing him from GordonFreeman Syndrome. They even managed to elevate the ending (and I mean the last three seconds before the screen blacks out) with a single punctual line, lifting it from "Couldn't you have left the beaten path." to "Aright, that was pretty awesome." Taffer likes.

Anyway.

Awesome Review. As usual.

/loyal lurking reader Nr. 4589723y1

Thank you

And I agree about Isaac... I dunno where people are getting this 'Michael Bay one-liner' nonsense from, he was very subtly acted.

I played it for an hour and got level 8. It's hardly unbalanced. I think your team was probably crap.

I dunno, I thought it was unbalanced too. No matter what team I was on, whoever has the Necromorphs always wins.

The reason its unfair is because the humans have objectives to complete while all the Necros have to do is kill.

I have to disagree with that. I thought the best interactive cutscene was definately the "burn in" race against time.
That really took the game to a whole other level for me, especially the scenery whizzing past.
-Tabs<3-

Yeah that bit was frickin awesome too... I just didn't want to spoil it in the review!

 

[MiracleOfSound]

Honestly, if you didn't like the Plasma Cutter then you might want to avoid it. It's still the best and most used gun in the game! There are some new ones though that are more like ones from 'straight' shooters. There's even a Sniper Rifle (God knows why).

A Sniper Rifle? So you can kill yourself faster then? Do the alien morph things laugh at you when you pull it out?

I'll still give it a try. I can rent it and see. It looks so pretty... dammit.

Lol well I didn't buy it myself. I have a love of the Line Gun and used that a lot. It's like a horizontal shotgun with a noob tube... so awesome!

I'd go with rent if you didn't enjoy the first one much.

 

[Meggiepants]

Lol well I didn't buy it myself. I have a love of the Line Gun and used that a lot. It's like a horizontal shotgun with a noob tube... so awesome!

I'd go with rent if you didn't enjoy the first one much.

I probably will, right after I finish up Just Cause 2. That is, if I don't get DA:2 first.

 

[Daedalus1942]

Lovely. Just lovely. Much like your review.

They did a marvellous job at giving Isaac a voice and fleshing out his character, ultimately curing him from GordonFreeman Syndrome. They even managed to elevate the ending (and I mean the last three seconds before the screen blacks out) with a single punctual line, lifting it from "Couldn't you have left the beaten path." to "Aright, that was pretty awesome." Taffer likes.

Anyway.

Awesome Review. As usual.

/loyal lurking reader Nr. 4589723y1

Thank you

And I agree about Isaac... I dunno where people are getting this 'Michael Bay one-liner' nonsense from, he was very subtly acted.

I played it for an hour and got level 8. It's hardly unbalanced. I think your team was probably crap.

I dunno, I thought it was unbalanced too. No matter what team I was on, whoever has the Necromorphs always wins.

The reason its unfair is because the humans have objectives to complete while all the Necros have to do is kill.

I have to disagree with that. I thought the best interactive cutscene was definately the "burn in" race against time.
That really took the game to a whole other level for me, especially the scenery whizzing past.
-Tabs<3-

Yeah that bit was frickin awesome too... I just didn't want to spoil it in the review!

Hence why I have said the bare minimum.
I highly doubt anyone will know what I'm talking about, but it was just enough that people who've played it know the sequence.
-Tabs<3-

 

[MiracleOfSound]

Good fun, but not that scary. Certain parts are pretty creepy and the death scenes are awesome. Most scary parts of the game where the first time you meet the stalkers (think decomposing raptors from Jurassic Park) and crawlers, which are mutated babies. Worst part is they still sounds like a baby...

Those Stalkers freaked me the hell out. The way they peek over the boxes at you before charging... the AI was scarier than the creature design. Very clever.

Crawlers are hilarious, especially when you shoot them in the head and the head falls off

Hence why I have said the bare minimum.
I highly doubt anyone will know what I'm talking about, but it was just enough that people who've played it know the sequence.
-Tabs<3-

Nah, no-one will know what it means! It was truly spectacular though... played that chapter again last night and when you have a chance to sit back and enjoy it instead of freaking out that the scenery isn't going to splat you, it's a remarkable thing to watch - really genius level design, especially the very last part. What a set-piece.

Lol well I didn't buy it myself. I have a love of the Line Gun and used that a lot. It's like a horizontal shotgun with a noob tube... so awesome!

I'd go with rent if you didn't enjoy the first one much.

I probably will, right after I finish up Just Cause 2. That is, if I don't get DA:2 first.

There's just too much good shit coming out. I don't think I can get Bulletstorm and DA:2 on release so I'm torn between the two. Tough choice but if I had to pick I'd prob go for Dragon Age is it'll last me longer.

 

[cloudwolf616]

nice Gav man very nice!
SCARED SHITLESS!!!!!!