It’s been 15 years since the original Dead Space came out, and since that day in 2008, it’s built a reputation as a standout survival horror title. For me, however, 2008 was all about rallying my motley crew of Nintendo mascots to win as many games as possible in Mario Super Sluggers for the Nintendo Wii. The 2023 remake of Dead Space is my first experience with this supposed crown jewel of the surviving horror genre. Luckily, it turns out that Dead Space is equal, if not better, to Mario Super Sluggers, thanks to its rich variety of tense moments, thrilling gunplay, and gorgeous visuals.
If there’s one big aspect that makes horror games appeal to me, it’s the tension, and Dead Space addresses that almost from the start. You are “Engineer of the Year” Isaac Clarke, who, along with his motley crew of repairmen, is tasked with maintaining the flagship mining ship, the USG Ishimura. As expected, things go horribly wrong and you are forced to try to survive while uncovering the mysteries of the ship. Answers to these mysteries are discovered primarily through texts, audio logs, and holograms found throughout the ship. It’s a strong example of environmental storytelling, and I found myself checking every door I could access, hoping to find these recordings, or even a message scrawled on the wall. if you haven’t played dead space however, I recommend going with as little historical knowledge as possible.
While the tension in Dead Space comes partly from the slowly unfolding story, a significant part is also fueled by the limited ammo and resources that are a staple of most survival horror games. There were dozens of times I chose to try to outrun enemies instead of fighting them, because I wanted to conserve ammo. It’s nice that Dead Space, for the most part, gives you the ability to smash your way through enemies rather than running through them. Luckily, there’s still a ton of blasting to do in the game. Lack of ammo causes you to use every weapon in your arsenal, even if it’s not your favorite. There are many games where you start with one weapon and quickly progress to bigger and better weapons. In Dead Space, the best weapon is the one that currently has ammo.
There are additional nuances and customization for each weapon and Isaac’s outfit thanks to the nodal upgrade system. These nodes are scattered throughout the ship and each unlocks a new ability ranging from extra HP and stasis powers to more damage and faster reload time on weapons. These are pretty standard pricing as far as upgrades go, but it’s always exciting to stumble upon a new one.
The variety of enemies in Dead Space takes a while to grow, but it does so at a reasonable pace. The first grunt-type enemy you encounter is one you’ll also be fighting for 10 hours, but at this point they’re just part of a tasty menu of necromorphs, each with their own style and gimmick. My favorites are Divider’s lanky necromorphs, which are easy to take down but drop terrifying heads with attached tendrils. If these tendrils kill you, they rip your head off and invade your body. Watching them pilot your corpse is wonderfully creepy, and the animations for dying are as mesmerizing as they are horrific. Still, the game has its tricky parts, and it can be frustrating to see the same kill animation for the sixth time in a row.
Rounding out the combat are Isaac’s hovering abilities, which are primarily used when exploring the exterior of USG Ishimura. The flight controls are floaty and a little smelly, but it’s the fight against airborne enemies that’s the worst. It’s easy to change directions, and there are often long-range enemies sitting in the dark. I’ve died multiple times from the combination of being in space and not knowing where the enemies are, and that’s all the more remarkable when compared to the quality and dynamics of the flightless combat. . It’s also a shame because the other aspects of the space work very well. The visuals are clear, and the relative silence of the void creates a wonderfully tense atmosphere in a game that’s already tense enough to begin with.
also contributing to dead space The masterclass of tension is the lack of loading screens. Except for a few scenes, Isaac is still controllable and the burden is masked by the elevators and trams that help him navigate the Ishimura. While games without loading screens are becoming more common, the implementation in Dead Space is the best I’ve seen. Waiting for the elevator to descend a few floors without knowing what horrors await you is disconcerting. and, like most systems in the game, it adds to the overall tension.
It also helps that Dead Space is a nice slice of sci-fi horror goodness. From the gruesome necromorphs and dark industrial hall, to the flash of your guns and the glow of Isaac’s costume, Dead Space is a feast for the eyes and one that doesn’t stop for its entire duration (except for the Isaac’s awkward expressions when he’s not looking). has a mask). ). My favorite visual touch is Isaac’s health bar which takes the form of glowing nodules on his spine, as it’s a handy and visually striking way to show how much health you have left.
Dead Space is a fantastic game to play in 2023, thanks to its gripping story, all-star combat, and clever systems. It’s a testament to the team at Motive Studios and EA that the fight of Isaac Clarke and friends manages to impress 15 years later. It’s a resounding home run.
dead space It is available for PS5, Xbox Series X and PC.