Been lurking around other gaming forums and people are pretty much just saying you have to know what's coming and keep at it. No real tricks, just perseverance.

" @amir90 said:

"@big_jon:  I have, dozens of people on achievement forums says the enemies are not as tough. edit: here is a random tip though, but it only works on the 360 version of the game.  Let us say you save on chapter 4/5, then when you need to switch disks for chapter 7-15, if you die on chapter 8, it will be contined form chapter 7, not the last one! Though, there is catch to this: You must not turn your 360 off, lol.  Might be a good advice idk, like saving on chapter, 6, 10 and right before finale boss. "

I died at the train part today while up side down. I was mad. "

" Been lurking around other gaming forums and people are pretty much just saying you have to know what's coming and keep at it. No real tricks, just perseverance. "

I'll totally give it a go. It's an intresting challange.

How about: 
-Pump nodes into Stasis early on 
-Only use 2-3 weapons in order to maximise ammo drops/ammo for the shit you actually use 
^Those things worked for me in DS1's impossible mode, and made it a huuuge breeze. For DS1, all I used was shitloads of stasis, the plasma cutter, and the force gun. 
 
For DS2's impossible, I'm thinking maybe just the plasma cutter, force gun, and detonator. 
 
I know I'm giving advice without any prior hardcore experience, but I'd imagine that those previous tested strategies of mine will work against DS2's enemies which, so far, have the same damn tactic of just bullrushing me like idiots.

Ok, this is totally worth it.   
  

" @big_jon: Why are you so rude to everyone who dares make a joke? Learn to have some fun. "

" @Azteck said:

" @big_jon: Why are you so rude to everyone who dares make a joke? Learn to have some fun. "

I would contend that those "jokes" are neither funny nor fun. Not only that, there are about five of the same one in the 60 posts in this thread. "

I just made it to the end of chapter 4 and saved just before the stalkers.
 
I have to say, I did not know how good the mine layer was, that is going to make this a lot easier.

I don't think so. when you play high level, you must do every upgrade possible so that you can take advantage of it. then you could survive, and finish game even though you can only save three times and less health preservation whatever. why not? I think especially, full rig & stasis upgrade is must-do along with one major weapon. I suggest that you must upgrade full one main weapon. it's very different when you do or don't. it actually affect on the game. I  did fully upgrade for plasma cutter, pulse rifle. very good so far even I didn't play hardcore level yet. if you have only few choices for armors, you should go with advanced suit. that gives you lots of advantage. now, I wear 'riot suit'. it seems OK, though. 

" I don't think so. when you play high level, you must do every upgrade possible so that you can take advantage of it. then you could survive, and finish game even though you can only save three times and less health preservation whatever. why not? I think especially, full rig & stasis upgrade is must-do along with one major weapon. I suggest that you must upgrade full one main weapon. it's very different when you do or don't. it actually affect on the game. I  did fully upgrade for plasma cutter, pulse rifle. very good so far even I didn't play hardcore level yet. if you have only few choices for armors, you should go with advanced suit. that gives you lots of advantage. now, I wear 'riot suit'. it seems OK, though.  "

" I was thinking that you could just pause the game whenever you wanted to take a break. But I remembered bringing up the menu doesn't pause the action. In the game do the monsters just keep spawning if you wait around too long? Also I was thinking about how long the game is to do it with just 3 saves, would be interesting to see if any "speed runs/guides" come up in the future. "

Ive been grinding this out for a few hours today. Lets just say im getting realllllly good at chapter 1... Can anyone confirm or deny the DLC armor packs being used in hardcore mode? Dont really want to waste the money if theyre for modes ive already beaten ya know ;) Thanks

Alright people here's an update.

Pro tip: Don't die.

Coasted through to chapter 3 pretty easy. Then the freaky kids came running out and i got stuck running away.  Overwhelmed... dead... restart.... Im getting tired of this opening video...  
 
Also still wondering if anyone can say for sure if the DLC armor packs are usable in Hardcore mode?  
 
pewpew

I made an account just to answer some of the questions here.
 
First off, the game saves at Chapter 7 if you're playing Xbox. Therefore, Xbox users get 4 saves.
 
Second, DLC packs are usable in Hardcore mode.
 
Third, I just got the Hard to the Core achievement. Gamertag Zaftx91 , so it's definitely not impossible. I used only my plasma cutter, and saved on chapters 10, 13 and 14.
 
If you have more questions, just post here.

Ya you have too much time on your hands

" Ya you have too much time on your hands "

" @TomA said:

" Ya you have too much time on your hands "

Coming from a guy with 1500 posts? "

" @big_jon said:

" @TomA said:

" Ya you have too much time on your hands "

Coming from a guy with 1500 posts? "

ZINGER! "

" @AURON570 said:

" I was thinking that you could just pause the game whenever you wanted to take a break. But I remembered bringing up the menu doesn't pause the action. In the game do the monsters just keep spawning if you wait around too long? Also I was thinking about how long the game is to do it with just 3 saves, would be interesting to see if any "speed runs/guides" come up in the future. "

the game does pause if you press start "

If I beat this on hardcore I better get Dead Space 3 for free.

" @Zaft:  I am worried about the drill ride and wondering if the force gun will help with the end boss.   I am using the Plasma cutter, Pulse rifle, Mine layer, and the contact beam so far. I am on chapter ten with one save remaining which I plan to use before the eye poke. "

" @big_jon said:

" @Zaft:  I am worried about the drill ride and wondering if the force gun will help with the end boss.   I am using the Plasma cutter, Pulse rifle, Mine layer, and the contact beam so far. I am on chapter ten with one save remaining which I plan to use before the eye poke. "

The drill ride isn't too bad. None of the necromorphs that jump up are elite versions, so they all do low damage if they manage to hit you. Just stand in the middle and be wary of your surroundings, and kill the Pukers first, and simply run around like an idiot once the Lurkers appear and start shooting at you.  Since you have the Detonator, you can also kill the Lurkers if you want, since one shot will do the trick. I was just using the Plasma Cutter, so I just tried to dodge them. The Force Gun is fantastic on the final boss, but not essential. Once you shoot Nicole enough times, the swarm shades will all die. Nevertheless, the Force Gun is a very big help for that fight. "

" If I beat this on hardcore I better get Dead Space 3 for free. "

This guy is streaming his hardcore run: 
http://www.justin.tv/absoluda#/w/814050272/2
 
He's on Chapter 14, so he's almost there.

I'm kinda unclear about the hardcore ruleset.
 
What happens, when I die? Respawn at beginning of chapter or at last save?

" I'm kinda unclear about the hardcore ruleset.  What happens, when I die? Respawn at beginning of chapter or at last save? "

" @Seppli: Last save, forces you to load the game.  I just finished my run, damn eye machine cost me an hour :( "

• Laundry room
• Upside down train bit
  
• Bottom floor of habitation (3 fat duders and 6 fast tail duders)
• The church bit
• The second raptor type duder encounter
• The part with the canisters and tentacles
• The first hallway of the Ishimura
• The decontamination room
• The bridge of the Ishimura
• Most of the mine section (especially the lift ride)
• The drill ride
• Just outside government sector
• EVERYTHING after government sector (most notably the 3 red rooms and the gauntlet at the end)

Thanks for posting that.  I heard that if you're playing the 360 version, you won't have to load prior to the scene where you change discs.  Which means that's kind of like a free save point. 

I. Hate. This. Mode. With a goddamn passion. Zealot is nothing compared to this. Nothing. It doesn't matter if it's not really harder than Survivalist or Zealot as far as ammo or enemies are concerned. But since you are forced to play a clean game, without checkpoints and practically no saves, it makes this by far one of the most tedious and aggravating difficulty settings I have ever played, in any game. It is truly a hard core experience, and I will probably NEVER be able to bash my head against the wall enough to complete it. Losing 3-5 hours of progress everytime you die works like acid on your willpower. And since you can't skip cinematics, conversations or the like, it really makes for an annoying experience to endure, over and over again.
 
Props to everyone strong enough to make it through tho'.

@big_jon 
 
I'm not sure what guns and suits and such that you are using.  From what I did, and what others have done, it seems the best thing to do is concentrating on maxing out your RIG and Stasis, then focus on maxing out the Plasma Cutter.  I also got pretty close to maxing out everything but the Alt-fire for the Pulse Rifle.  The Pulse Rifle is good in certain situations, namely the final boss, and the run up to the final boss (the toughest part in the game IMO).  Also important is where you save, obviously.  I saved at Chapters 5, 10, 13.  If you're playing on 360 of course you get the unofficial 4th save at the disc swap.  Good luck to you!  

My PS3 version of the game is coming in a few days and I have every intention of beating the game on hardcore.