Science Fiction. Writers Arthur C Clarke and Isaac Asimov have been the cornerstone of many a movie and video game, but never before have they so obviously influenced a development team so much as to ever name the player character, Isaac Clarke, after the pair of them. In an attempt to immerse the player as much as possible, there’s little fluff to the back story, an up-close and personal viewing perspective and, crucially, nothing that breaks the fourth wall (apart from the Save function) - much like the best novels, then.
In fact, Dead Space is so good at this that you’ll forget you’re playing a video game. I know, it’s a cliche, but it’s totally deserved here: the way the HUD is presented, as a floating hologram in from of you, the way that shops and upgrade stations are totally integrated into the environment, the way that cut-scenes always play out directly in front of you without forcing you to watch or even remove control from the player: it’s all brilliantly done and absolutely crucial in keeping you locked into the game.
The storyline itself is pure science fiction, mixing elements of the movie Alien with videogames such as Resident Evil 4, but controlling much like a slower, more considered version of Army of Two. Essentially, Isaac is a space engineer who is sent, along with a small crew, to investigate a distress call from a huge mining ship called the USG Ishimura. As you might have guessed, things start to go wrong very quickly and soon enough you’ll be left fighting for yourself.
We don’t want to ruin any of the plot, suffice to say that the monsters now inhabiting the Ishimura, dubbed Necromorphs, are able to possess any of the dead humans, reanimating them in a frightening, violent puppet-like manner capable of huge leaps and great speed. Naturally you’re not unarmed, although your first weapon, a basic mining plasma cutter, isn’t exactly Vasquez’s minigun.
The gunplay is intelligent enough, with careful aim winning out over outright blasting, and the various upgrade modules (of which there are many more than can be used in a single playthrough) ensure that you can customise and choose weapons suited to your style of play.
Your suit itself can also be upgraded, not just in terms of the protection it offers but also in the amount of inventory slots it can have (although the numerous Stores dotted about the ship double as storage bays) and the various special abilities Isaac can utilise throughout the game. With a massive amount of weapons, items and abilities it’s worth mentioning that the controls are extremely streamlined and once you’ve got to grips with the L1-aim/R1-fire mechanic, and remember that once aimed the face buttons perform the other tasks it all clicks into place.
Visually it’s stunning. Apparently Dead Space uses parts of the Godfather engine, but we have no idea where, because this is probably the best looking third person shooter this generation: the animation is wonderful, the lighting effects sublime and the frame rate is 99% constant at a steady 30fps.
It’s the environment effects, the smoke, the way the lights close in on you and bounce shadows of distant Necromorphs around each corner that totally draw you in. Sure, it’s gory, but only as much as Doom 3 or Half Life 2, and it only adds to the atmosphere.
Sound too is expertly done, and this is where the PS3 version wins out over the otherwise identical 360 version in that the digital sound is utterly incredible. The spacing of the surround sound is movie-like, completely enveloping the player in a believable, solid 3D soundspace - the orchestral music, the scraping sound effects, the banging doors, the guns, the Necromorphs’ screams, all produced to such a high standard that everything else on the console seems archaic. If you’re still running in stereo through your TV, shame on you, but hopefully this will convince you to upgrade.
Sadly, there’s no multiplayer, but it’s a lengthy game, and one full of surprises and challenges. The only downsides we could find are that the option to start a new game after completion appears to only let you replay on the same difficulty level (but you keep your guns) and that the first time through it’s unclear which guns, upgrades and items you should really be specialising in (although there are Trophies for kills with each) and on anything but ‘Easy’ the game really does test you. But it’s a fantastic game, a complete surprise for us and one we have no hesitation in recommending. Have fun in space.
October 25th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
This sold out in my Game store yesterday on the PS3, the only game and format of this years biggest release weekend to do so
October 25th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
I can promise anyone; If your not running your PS3 through some sort of fancy surround sound set up, you are really missing out on next-gen gaming
The ps3 excels in sound performance, and sound can add to an atmosphere as much as fancy HD graphics on a great big TV.
Do yourself a favour and ask Santa to get you a surround sound set-up for the ultimate in next gen gaming
BioEye Says:
October 25th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Santa = millionaire
October 25th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
i concur….i got mine from here..(although you need an optical cable, bastards didnt say so though)
http://www.digital-point.co.uk/model.php?ID=4004&referrer=kelkoo&source=kelkoo
October 25th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
i come here for game reviews now. its better than gt.
October 25th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Great review Nofi! Summed up everything quite brilliantly! Thanks! =D
October 25th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Excellent review! I’ve been hammering away at this title the last few days, and I’ll vouch for the atmospherics and especially the sound. It’s just a flat-out creepy experience - and done far better than most have been over the last few years.
October 25th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
Does this game use any rumbling for DualShock 3 owners?
October 25th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
It is by far one of the most scary game I have every played. Don’t get me wrong, im 28 and seen my fair share of gruesome horrors but this game just makes me jump all the time. The monsters jumping from around a corner with those needle like arms is just downright creepy. The atmospheric sound adds loads to the mix with quiet whispering, echoing monsters in the distance and metal bars falling off ledges clanking into oblivion. Makes me wish i had full on surround sound in my gaming room.
Highly highly recommended game. If you play it in the dark i guarantee you’ll have the lights back on and be checking the corners of your room in no time.
October 25th, 2008 at 11:33 pm
To me the game isn’t as much scary as it is startling. Like it read all of the previews from Playstation The Official Magazine so i knew that dead guys weren’t actually dead, and had hots don’t count and all of that jazz. I’m still on Chapter 7 (just over half way) and I think I want to buy it because of the trophy factor. The trophies are just so amazing that this may be one of the first games that I actually get the platnium trophy on.
All in all great game, and there was one part that I amost peed my pants( literally) all I can say is STAY AWAY FROM GROUPS OF DEAD BODIES! THEY MONSTER ARE FREAKIN’ NINJAS WHEN IT COMES TO THAT!
October 26th, 2008 at 10:35 am
*BOUGHT*
October 26th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
Deadspace is far better than I was expecting… It’s taken lots of good ideas from BioShock, Alien films and Event Horizon - the result is a kick ass game, certainly a viable new IP for a follow up too!!
Loving it!
October 28th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
I’ve just got Dead Space, and it’s absolutely brilliant
A great new IP by the folks at EA
It’s dripping with atmosphere, and in my opinion is better than Bioshock
October 28th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Dead Space is the best horror game of the year (yet)!
cc_star Says:
October 29th, 2008 at 2:23 am
Tell me about it!
It’s amazing, I’m quite surprised… nice one EA
October 29th, 2008 at 3:23 am
Now some people may have heard that Dead Space may become a movie, but I’ve just found out that an animated prequel is just about to come out on DVD & BluRay
http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/28/dead-space-downfall-works-as-fanservice-not-much-else/
It’s apparently advisable that you’ve finished the game before watching this prequel
November 22nd, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Starting to get bored with LBP (already!) so decided to rent Dead Space… by feck! What a game. And the gfx are absolutely fecking amazing! Best I’ve seen so far this gen.
Dunks Says:
November 23rd, 2008 at 11:16 am
Dead Space is amazing. Just finished it last night. Great game. Hoping for a multiplayer element for the next game… Awesome set pieces… A must buy!