Resident Evil Dethroned
About 3 hours into Dead Space I knew it was true, the Resident Evil franchise had been dethroned as the best IP in action/survival horror.
Dead Space, like all great titles in the genre, is all about balance and choices. As Isaac progresses through the USG Ishimura and aliens take chunks out of him, you will have to make some hard choices. There are a few additions that Dead Space adds to the genres staples which add layers to your decision making. The classic inventory choices are here, so conserve your ammo, you may run out. Another layer is the stasis module, which while very helpful during combat with multiple enemies, will not last forever, and recharge stations are not easy to come by. A final layer you'll have to think about is upgrading. You will collect power nodes which are used to enhance the items that you own. Note: You will not be able to upgrade all of your equipment during one playthrough. So, as you make choices regarding upgrades, you are deciding how you want to play Dead Space, which is a really fantastic system.
The game is not perfect. The plot is weak and filled with video game cliches. And, while the games pacing is usually spot on, there is a significant number of backtracking quests which make the Ishimura feel a bit smaller than it should. I would've loved to feel like Ishimura was, at some point, a home to a large number of inhabitants. Bioshock achieved this feeling with Rapture, due to its larger set pieces and non-existent backtracking quests.
These gripes are no deal breaker, the game is still great, but not a personal favorite. If the developers had tackled these issues, Dead Space could've been a landmark, but too many portions feel like wading through video game staples which take the player out of the world they've created.
Here's hoping that Dead Space 2 corrects these issues without loosing what works in favor of being more accessible!
Still a great game, 4/5 stars!
