As this is the last WeView of the year I thought we’d take things all the way back to the beginning of 2011 and look at Dead Space 2. With the game coming out all the way back in January it seems like one of those games that’s easily overlooked at the end of the year, one that you could easily have forgotten came out this year in the twelve long months since (well eleven months really but that doesn’t sound as impressive).
Now, I know that many love Dead Space 2 but I couldn’t really get on with it. Perhaps that’s partially because I didn’t actually find it all that scary. I mean don’t get me wrong, there were moments early on where the game made me jump but it never really feels tense in the way a really great horror title does. The overuse of jump scares just made it pretty obvious for me when a necromorph beasty was going to try and brutally murder you, it was rare that I really felt the game build by simply not having a necromorph come at you when you thought one would.
Of course things would be pretty dull if we all agreed, and we were a lot more positive about the Isaac Clarke’s second outing in our review. We scored it a very respectable 9/10 and had this to say about it:
Dead Space 2, continuing directly after the first game, marks continued effort from Visceral and, likewise, support from EA. New IPs should be applauded when they’re of this kind of calibre – expertly produced, genuinely innovative and, if you’re prepared to do several run-throughs, great value for money. Naturally, those that didn’t really get on with the first Dead Space will find that little (literally) has changed save for the location and a richer sense of characterisation, but for those of us that adored Clarke’s first adventure this sequel represents everything we could have wished for: it’s bigger, better and more beautiful but without straying from the core principles that mapped out the former.
So there’s two opinions on the game, lets have some more shall we? More specifically lets have yours. If you feel like sharing your thoughts on Dead Space 2 then all you have to do is just drop it in the comments below. Remember, the aim is to create short, snappy views of the game, although we won’t discount longer opinions of the game.
Once you’ve written your opinion remember to score the game on the Buy It, Bargain Bin It, Rent It, Avoid It scale so we can count up everyone’s scores and give the community’s verdict of the title. If you want your score to count you’ll need to have it in by Sunday afternoon, otherwise the verdict article will have been written.
chall5
Played the first game and loved it so invested in this at the £20 mark. Overall loved this one as well, as has been mentioned the sound is superb. I didn’t play the multiplayer so can’t comment on that. The game never scared me but did make me tense and as has also been mentioned the lack of a HUD really immerses you in the game.
Buy it (it’s really cheap now)
Origami Killer
One of my favourite games this year. It’s a tense and deep single player adventure. It has it’s scary moments which will no doubt make you jump – also there are some terrifying scenes I thought from visions of Isaac’s mind. The gameplay is solid – shooting feels great, no frame rate stutters and the camera angle is perfect.
The muliplayer is a little thin, not much to do once you’ve played it a few times and it gets boring quite fast.
A BUY IT simply for the fantastic single player.
MadBoJangles
I bought it day one for £39.99.
Less than a week later it was £24.99 everywhere and that really peeved me off.
I have only played the first level and thought it was very very good. I loved the original (platinumed it no less) and look forward to sitting down and enjoying this sometime soon :)
From what I’ve played(and based on how much I liked the original) BUY IT!
MadJunkBoy
even though the game isn’t as scary as the first game its still an awesome game and scary in its own ways, especially when ur low on ammo and a necromorph is running towards u and u try to run away! (yes its from own experiences;)
and when u group up with a friend, or more, the MP can be a really fun experience…
soo is the game worth ur christmas money? Answear: YES! and especially now when the price has been sinking alot…
soo what are u waiting for? run away and buy it either online or in a store near u!!
=D
Foxhound_Solid
This game is terrifying. To enjoy the game you have to get into it. Lights off, surround sound on and into the rabbit hole you go. It’s the finest survival horror game since the suffering. Truly…EPIC. An untradeable series.
Foxhound_Solid
Buy both games. Go for LE on 2 for Extraction.
matthangzhou
To those who say it isn’t scary, perhaps you’re right but if you try it again the hardcore mode with only 3 saves then it is a very tense affair indeed. Every health spray and bullet counts in that mode and it makes the whole thing much scarier.
A definite BUY IT from me, one of my favourite games this year.
In unrelated news my PS3 died today. She has served me well the last few years. Sad times haha.
McProley
Mate, that is sad news :( I’d cry if/when it happens to me
shields_t
Buy It.
I adore the first Dead Space and have since been sucked into the whole “universe” having bought the bridging films, the Wii game and a graphic novel. Dead Space 2 was always going to be a day one for me. I remember the sense of anticipation, the massive tube adverts and even having a crack at the weird PSN puzzle game before release.
I can’t help but say that I felt it lost something of the first’s claustrophobic horror vibe as soon as I started playing it, but I soon realised that what was lacking in the scares it makes up for with sheer class scifi action. Granted, there were some very creepy elements, the nursetry for example and superb plot twists (without putting out a spoiler, anyone who has played through the game will know there is a great nod about 3/4 of the way in).
I will be first in the queue for the third, though I’m still a little unsure about Isacc’s “humanisation” in the latest chapter.
You need another reason to pick it up? Free Dead Space Extraction for PS Move, a great on rails shooter and HD’d up from its Wii iteration.
shields_t
For the record, reading the other reviews has made me want to go back to Sprawl and have a crack at Hardcore this Christmas.
Youles
Been there, done that, got the Platinum! ;) Probably my most satisfying moment in gaming.
Most tense part was probably the anti-gravity bits with the mechanical spinning columns; or towards the end in that circular room with spinning walls. Knowing the smallest error would take you back maybe 2-3 hours!
See you in line for DS3!
MadJunkBoy
OMG, that was fun times playing on hardcore=)
the most tense moment must have been when u got that guy who revives himself after u have dismembered him… crazy shit! ;D
2ofclubs
Dead Space 2 is a fantastic sequel and manages to improve on the original in almost every way possible. With a more personal story at the heart of the proceedings this is a title you can truly invest in. Some may find the drift towards an increase of action worrying but rest assured that this is still survival horror in every way. The interesting multiplayer element helps increase the replay value and the ‘new game +’ ensures that you get plenty of entertainment for your money. There’s no doubt that the developers have listened to feedback and, as a result, crafted a truly superior follow-up.
Buy it, especially as it’s DEAD cheap these days.
Mickey2010
Bargain Bin
Loved the first game but thought this didnt really live up to that.But thats not to say its a bad game still a very good game which will make you jump a few times and even be on the edge of your seat! BARGAIN BIN
bacon_nuts
A great game, but sadly not as good as the first, less scary, less good story, repeats enemies and ideas from the first too much, and gives Isaac the ability to speak, which ruins the immersion, and makes Isaac as bland as so many other characters. I’d say Bargain Bin. It’s good, but the original is infinitely better.