Summary
Developer – Motive Studios
Publisher – Electronic Arts
Platforms – PC, Xbox Series S|X, PlayStation 5
Dead Space tells the tale of an expedition gone wrong on a wrecked ship known as the USG Ishimura. An alien force known as Necromorphs has taken over the ship. At the heart of the action is Isaac Clarke, who must survive the horrors the ship has in store while digging deeper into the Unitology Church and the larger conspiracy behind all the chaos.
The Dead Space remake is incredible to experience. The locations and pre-basked lighting have been replaced with real-time lighting and ray tracing to create great set-piece moments. EA’s vaunted Frostbite engine is back and brings the original to life like no game before. The brand-new look helps bridge the gap between old and new fans. Seeing the famous Plasma Cutter and the Ishimura rendered in real-time makes the entire experience feel fresh. New fans will get to explore this unknown location, the zero gravity, and various other locations. They will be blown away by the variety and beauty of every new room, floor, and scenario they come across.
Some of those stunning looks are used significantly in blood and gore. Every bullet, stomp, and plasma cut does a fantastic job of completely ripping apart Necromorphs piece by piece. Each creature is fully rendered and will get decimated by everything you throw at them – half-blown-off shoulders, shrapnel-torn faces, and skin burnt to a crisp are commonplace. This game is not for the squeamish, and the added violence adds tactile feedback to the combat in a way the older game could never have dreamed of.
Regarding looks, it doesn’t matter what platform you play it on, as they all look and perform excellently. My campaign playthrough was on the Xbox Series X and ran like a dream. Gameplay-wise, Dead Space Remake fits neatly between the more horror-based original and the action-packed thrills from its sequels. You play in the third person, which features much more combat and action than 2008 original. While this game ditches the slower-paced, nature of the original, they also don’t go right back into full action mode either. This game features a perfect blend between action and tension.
It’s a return to the survival horror the franchise was known for, and it feels like Dead Space’s unique sci-fi style has been truly perfected for the first time. Every shot, grunt, and pounce come to life and helps scare you when needed. It features excellent audio, which helps make the entire game as eerie as possible. It isn’t just what you hear in front of you but above you and behind closed doors that serve to frighten you and inform you of danger lurking around the next corner.
Rounding out the package are the excellent add-ons from the original game. Hidden weapons, unlockable bonuses, and an alternate ending are just the tip of the iceberg for returning and veteran fans.
