Visceral with a voice.
In 2008, EA’s initiative to focus on new and original IPs was put to the test with the science fiction survival horror romp known as ‘Dead Space’.The game was an enormous success and EA had a franchise in their hands. EA has since brought their dedication of making Dead Space part of a bigger picture as a franchise with it’s sequel and has payed off immensely with it’s expanded lore, gameplay and by simply giving fans what they wanted - More Dead Space.
The original’s setting, An abandoned space transport known as the Ishimura, was an industrial juggernaut filled with morbid, visceral, creatures known as the Necromorphs. It was up to Issac and company to answer a distress call from the doomed ship. What they found was an ancient artifact known as “the Marker” perceived to be the source of everything wrong in the USG Ishimura. Many gory deaths and religious allegories later, protagonist Issac Clarke is left as the sole survivor. Fast forward three years and Issac is back and unstable as ever as he is off the ship, and into the Sprawl. Getting ready to dismember and grunt his way out this situation.
The first Dead Space was a critical darling, many considering it the best of the survival horror genre. The Necromorphs were only icing on the cake to the game’s atmosphere which was the game’s most unique quality. The survival horror genre is not easily an isolated market with Resident Evil and Silent Hill on it’s back breathing hard upon Dead Space’s neck. Somehow it was cut above the rest with it’s bold design decision to, as ridiculous as it sounds, move while you goddamn shoot. It retained it’s tension through the intensity of the atmosphere and their enemies. Those Necromorphs were no pushover. This design decision is what made Dead Space so great, where Resident Evil 5 was so flawed.
The new setting sets Issac’s feet on the ground (not for too long) as he sets his sights on a civilian space colony known as the Sprawl. When the game starts, Issac witnesses that this space mall has been f’ed in s by the Necromorph cronies. Infecting thousands upon thousands of it’s citizens just waiting to be dismembered by Mr. Clarke. You run into to some places that are just top to bottom destroyed. One of the more unique sets is a day care center. Without spoil anything, I must say there is a moment in a game where a mother reunites with her “baby” and left my jaw literally on the floor. Dead Space 2 is all about this one central journey filled with compelling set pieces and completely pulls them off very well.
The developers, Visceral Games, created a more accessible feel this time around for Dead Space 2. The flow of the movement feels alot more free, where the first one was very methodical. Pretty much feeling like you were inside a spaceship, a little cramped. The combat is pretty much the same with it’s “strategic dismemberment” as the first but obviously more tweaked. Yes it is possible to go through the game by only using the Plasma Cutter and just upgrading itself and your armor. But I felt it was a little discouraged and started using a bit of variety on how I approach each baddie. OK variety is a bit of an exaggeration so let me fill you in how I fought in this game.
- Pulse Rifle = Running small enemies
- Line gun = Enemies with weak look legs who also run alot
- Plasma Cutter = EVERYTHING ELSE
This was something Visceral could’ve easily addressed but the game was ingeniously designed around that with giving you just the right amount of items essential to your survival to feel that uneasy feeling but still actively making you progress through an adventure of screaming tentacle monsters, and curb stomping while cursing to high heavens. With it’s namesake being a survival horror action game, It can be unforgiving in some respect. Especially the later half of the game where Necromorphs are always at every corner and you will never feel safe. Ever. There were times when I honestly felt in a state of helplessness while walking in a dark corridor with no ammo, and a sliver of health. But in ways Dead Space 2 lingers on borderline frustration upon the seemingly endless waves of enemies. There will be swear words to be said and It won’t only come from Issac.
And while we’re on the subject of yelling, “FUCK SHIT MOTHER FUCKER” while endlessly stomping some crimson cadaver to oblivion, Issac has a voice now. This creates a better connection to the story unlike the first one where he went full on Silent Bob on us. For a man who sees the seriously awful terrors on the Ishimura, he was awfully sheltered about it. But Issac hasn’t been really losing it lately as he makes sly remarks and often creates an emotional connection to any person, who isn’t trying to kill him. Unfortunately his missions are constantly compromised by his dead girlfriend Nicole. But that’s as far as I’ll talk about in regards to her situation.
Upon finishing up the game’s campaign, It left me shaken of what I just experienced. The graphic, blunt depictions of the game’s relentlessly unnerving attitude to the more free formed but still methodical gameplay we all know and adore but in the long run - It’s just great to play more Dead Space
