Dead Space Review
Dead Space does so many things that I enjoyed but none perhaps more impressive than its presentation and atmosphere. As soon as the game began, I knew I was in for a wild ride. It was like watching a movie introduction. The characters each looked great. Isaac Clarke’s CEC suit was highly detailed and managed to give off a real sense of weight. I’ve already mentioned his weapons and how they were done. I’m a sucker for design and the aiming beams coupled with the ammo counter made using the weapons that much more fun. And the way they incorporated listening to audio files and watching video files was very smooth.
The USG Ishimura was dark and disturbing. There were things all over the walls and other small scenes that left me impressed. Guy banging his head on the wall until he dies? Check. There was a moment on Chapter 4 that was so crazy that I dare not even write about it. You have to experience it yourself because it’s a beautiful thing to see and play through. Watch out for the Brute on this chapter.
The Necromorphs were incredibly foul and ugly yet also impressive. Yes they were disgusting and frightening but that was the best part about it. You can literally see the limbs exploding and the tentacles inside trying to grasp at something to reattach to. Big ones, small ones, creepy crawling ones…you name it and they exist on the Ishimura. There was one particular Necro that if you didn’t kill it fast enough, it’ll release a swarm of its babies at you. Seriously, it’s carrying some disgusting growth on its side that is full of Necro babies of itself. Nasty but I loved it. Chalk that up as a bonafied WTF moment.
Some of the Necros were tougher than others so taking them down requires a little thinking. Sometimes a shot to the limb just won’t do. You have to immobilize some of them and then try for dismemberment. That’s the beauty of the game in allowing you to decide which way and which weapon you’ll use. There was blood splatter, gore and everything was sick! And I mean that in a good way.
I must mention the sound of the game. I’ve used the word brilliant already so let me use fantastic. Going into a Zero G area and walking out in space was a moment in gaming I’ll likely not forget. I felt like I was about to blow off into space or die of oxygen loss. Every sound is dampened around you, there’s a weightless feeling and you feel like you’re trapped in the suit with your heart pounding. (always keep a small dose of oxygen handy)
Beyond the “dead space”, the sounds throughout the Ishimura were just plain creepy. The audio plays on the intensity of the moment. It builds as the adrenaline builds. There are constant moments when you hear screams in the background or you hear something crawling but you can’t figure out from where. It was freaky but in a very good way. The voice work was exceptional throughout. There were some chilling audio and video file recordings. One video file in particular had a murder play out right in front of you.
Dead Space does sound and does sound well.
Xbox LIVE Extras
Unfortunately, we won’t get to board the Ishimura or any other location within the Dead Space realm via Xbox LIVE. There’s no multiplayer but the single campaign experience is disturbing enough that I really didn’t mind. There is, however, downloadable content to enjoy in the form of an exclusive Xbox 360 suit. This is assuming you are amongst the few who play the game in its first 2 weeks of release. There might be plans for more DLC.
Conclusion
Dead Space is a freakishly disturbing game that makes hell seem like a day at camp. It looks great and has a deep enough story to keep you checking your video files and clues throughout just to uncover the truth. Did the game scare me? Yes. Did I survive? So far. Will I play this game again despite no multiplayer? Hell yeah. There were a lot of intense moments that EA managed to capture perfectly with a blend of quality sound and detailed environments. I’m already preparing myself for Dead Space 2.
9.5
“Velvet”
October 23rd, 2008 at 8:44 am
well said Desol
November 1st, 2008 at 4:57 am
There were times in the game that I forgot I was playing a video game and felt more like I was watching a movie, the mood it sets up has you jumping at every little noise there were times I would turn around and discharge my weapons because I thought somthing was running up behind me or see a shadow move threw a light source that was behind me and turn around expecting to be attacked it even made my boy friend scream like a little girl and he wasnt even playing it now that is a great game
the HUD display when I first saw it I rotated my camra around it to admirer how nicly done it was I dont get excited about many games any more but this one was masterfully done
Jennifer
November 5th, 2008 at 10:58 am
this game is the scarist shit in stores
November 11th, 2008 at 9:01 am
[...] Space is one of this year’s biggest surprises in my book. There aren’t many games that I can play through more than once and get the same amount of [...]
November 13th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Best game of the year for me. Fantastic in every way. I loved the vacuum decompression & zero-G scenes. I’m not much for 3rd person shooters, but this one blew my mind. I’ve been playing the PC version and it rocks none the less.
Going to have to check out the animated movie now… Bring on Dead Space 2!!!!!!
November 24th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
[...] you’ve read my review of Dead Space, then you’ll know that I rather enjoyed this game. And remember, you can queue up the demo [...]
November 26th, 2008 at 2:23 am
[...] the internet, Dead Space is getting praised as a fantastic game. There’s a good reason for that. It’s a great [...]
December 7th, 2009 at 9:34 am
[...] for a while so let me just get this out of the way and say that it’s finally official. I loved the first Dead Space and I’m like a little kid right on on Christmas morning now that I can start my official [...]
December 10th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
[...] to scare you and invoke all kinds of tense moments but which does it best? I loved Dead Space as you probably already know by my review. I don’t think any game in 2008 managed to come out and live up to every bit of [...]
February 14th, 2010 at 9:42 pm
This game is about survival and being confined with these necromorphs is about the only thing that scares the s**t out of me. I see dead soldiers doing stuff like staring at me as i walk in a room and walking away, and i just pause the game and take a deep breath and play on.
November 6th, 2010 at 10:33 pm
I wouldn’t feel I’ve ever seen a website on this a lot of comments on it!
December 21st, 2010 at 10:23 am
[...] into the Necromorph killing mode baby! I was a huge fan of the first game. You’ve read my Dead Space review right? Isaac Clarke and the Ishimura provided a thrilling experience. I’m skeptical about the [...]
January 12th, 2011 at 3:21 pm
[...] capture the same awesomeness that the first one did. I enjoyed the demo but strictly because I loved the first one…not really in a “this is better” kind of way. But I’m all up for killing [...]
January 27th, 2011 at 11:53 am
[...] review of this up alongside my Dead Space 2 review after both launch. You should know I’m a big fan of Dead Space so I’ll be all over these two [...]
October 17th, 2011 at 1:22 pm
[...] A few years ago Glen Schofield worked at Electronic Arts and his team introduced the world to Isaac Clarke. I met Glen Schofield while covering the game and he was one of the most genuine studio execs I’ve ever met. He was seriously passionate about making Dead Space as kick ass as possible. And you all know what I thought about Dead Space. [...]