Make us whole again
The original Dead Space remains one of the biggest surprise hits of this generation, and its high quality left me eager to jump back in for more via Dead Space 2. And even though it may take a few unfortunate missteps, Dead Space 2 is still a great shooter that stands toe to toe with the best out there, making it a no-brainer for fans of the genre.
First and foremost, the majority of the original’s defining features make a triumphant return in Dead Space 2. The shooting here is second to none, offering a highly satisfying level of precision and control. It’s that same brand of over-the-shoulder tactical shooting that I’ve loved since Resident Evil 4, and it’s as strong here as it’s ever been. The broad selection of cool weapons only helps matters, as they feel genuinely powerful, and offer a lot of functionality to boot. The enemy variety is similarly fantastic, and the game does a great job at constantly mixing and matching them in different settings to keep the action exciting. Dead Space 2 also looks and sounds absolutely amazing from top to bottom. The characters and environments are highly detailed and fluidly animated, and the enemy designs are brought to life in terrifying fashion. It sounds just as good, with crisp sound design and tense music haunting every hallway. I lauded the original Dead Space for its perfect execution on all of the the above aspects, and the sequel matches it blow for blow.
Unfortunately, Dead Space 2 doesn’t do a whole lot more than that. It's a fairly by-the-numbers sequel, which by no means dilutes its quality, but does mean it has a hard time standing out. My main gripes, however, are with the two minor adjustments it does make (ignoring the multiplayer, which in my mind might as well not exist). First and foremost is the pacing. Not only is this a noticeably shorter game (it took me about 9 hours), but it operates with a little too much of that oppressive urgency that is becoming the norm in our post Modern Warfare world. It just doesn’t fit Dead Space 2’s more methodical style, which becomes frustratingly clear during the "infinispawn" fueled final chapters. Otherwise, the bland exposition and weak environments were never able to create an immersive atmosphere for me. Isaac’s constant, often cheesy dialogue fell flat, and the Sprawl was never able to create a strong sense of place- it’s telling that the most gripping chapter was the one that took place off of the station. These subtle changes towards a more fast paced, action oriented, set piece focused game leave behind the minor touches that made the original a special entry in an over-saturated genre.
And that’s the thing with Dead Space 2. It is, by the most important measures, an awesome shooter that deserves your attention. But its stellar controls, excellent weapons and enemies, and unparalleled audiovisual presentation are somewhat dulled by a shift towards a more conventional, run-of-the-mill action game. Don’t get me wrong- if you’re a fan of shooters, then buy it. Right now. But if you only delve into the genre for the occasional landmark title, I’d be on the fence about Dead Space 2.
For additional information on my review style and scoring system, click here.
