I don’t think there’s going to be anyway to hide this so I may just get it out of way: I admire the type of game that Dead Space (and by extension Dead Space 2) is. A horror-centric corridor shooter set in space. Liking sci-fi, zombies and a bit of the old ultra violence, it’s no surprise that a game that mashes them all together makes me happy.

With that being said, Dead Space 2 is very much the same as the first Dead Space . You shoot terribly-frightening (and terribly-creative looking) monsters to literal pieces with a wide array of tools re-purposed solely for hacking apart Necromorphs. Add some pretty breathtaking set pieces and “bam”, you’ve got yourself a Dead Space game. Dead Space 2 takes all of those elements, add some polish to the already tight shooting mechanics, set the story three years later on a larger, more varied locale and proceeds to unleash the madness all over again.

As it turns out, Dead Space 2 is pretty great.

Once again, you hop into the well worn works-boots of Isaac Clarke, space-engineer and survivor of the USG Ishimura, the setting of the previous game. Waking up three years after fighting his way through an army of Necromorphs, Isaac finds an all to familiar situation unfolding in front of him on Titan Station, located on Saturn’s moon of Titan. Right from the start, you’re running for your life from hordes of monstrosities, it’s a good start to the game and really sets the tone. Most everyone on the station are dead. There are horrible things killing everyone. Grab a space-nail gun and keep on going forward. And, while this time we actually get a fully voiced Isaac as opposed to the previous games grunts and growls, he’s a rather one-dimensional character. He’s angry at the Necromorphs, fearing for his sanity and trying to find whatever survivors he can, but that’s about it. The stress he’s undergoing and expressing to the other characters is there, but that’s it. The only other information you get on Isaac is a few text logs scattered about the game. The story itself doesn’t pull many punches as well with the only twists and turns in the plot are able to be seen from a mile away. The most memorable moments for me where the action set pieces, in particular a scene involve a transportation tram fairly early in the game.

Like I stated earlier, this game is Dead Space. The shooting controls are tight, responsive and amputating the limbs off of baddies is incredibly satisfying. When you get down to it, the shooting just feels good. Guns have a fantastic weight and feel to them, and with the variety from the first game expanded upon with new additions such a

s the Mine Layer, and Javelin Gun there’s always different ways to violently destroy anything that comes at you.

The games incredibly minimalistic GUI, with your health meter, ammo count, and even your inventory screen all integrated into your suit very subtlety, and really serves to keep you in the game.

Many of the management systems are back from the first game, including inventory management. Making you carefully choose your balance between ammo, health and weaponry is never an easy choice to make and with stores being the only place to buy, sell and store gear the matter is even further complicated . The locator system, also returning from the first game, makes it easier to find your way to your next objective and with ability to track down save points, upgrade benches and stores you never find yourself going in the wrong direction for long. The upgrade system from the first game returns, with even more bonuses to focusing on weapons, including attributes that give your arsenal expanded abilities. The plasma cutter, for example can be upgraded to light enemies on fire. This, combined with other small tweaks, such as being able to reload as you run away make for an incredibly solid third-person shooting experience.

Further adding to that experience is the presentation. And while Dead Space2 suffers from some odd glitches with ragdolls, not to mention that some facial animations and designs that border right on the uncanny valley, it more than makes up for with a host of incredibly well done effects. Droplets of water coalesce and float in

zero gravity, and the light from behind Isaac’s visor creates shadows against the visor itself on the environment. And the Necromorphs themselves have never looked more disturbing. From the knife-armed Slasher to the oh-god-that-things-legs-are-made-out-of-people Leaper. The deigns are pretty creative and are down-right unnerving in some cases.

But, with all this praise and excitement comes some down sides. The game is a bit short, clocking in at about seven hours from the start of the campaign to the end. There are multiple difficulties with the inclusion of a New Game+ feature, and promises of campaign DLC but the game still feels like it’s o

ver just a bit too soon. And then there’s the multiplayer. While not bad by any means, it comes across a bit as a Left 4 Dead clone. You can rank up due to the implementation of a progression-based leveling system complete with new weapon and ability access. It’s very serviceable but one wonders if it will develop enough of a following to find games a month or two down the road.

Overall Dead Space 2 is an incredibly satisfying shooter experienced that shouldn’t be missed by any fan of the genre. It’s tight control and shooting mechanics carry over from the first game with a few welcome improvements. And, while the multiplayer may not be the most original draw to the game, the singleplayer and shooting are well worth the price of admission.

($59.99 USD, XBOX 360 PS3 PC)