π’ GAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! π’
Shoot its limbs! π±
One of the best horror games ever made? Without a doubt. But let's address the elephant in the room, shall we? There was a very well-executed remake that came out not too long ago. And while most of this review/column will center around the original, there will be portions where I will address the remake as a stand-alone product. But for the most part we're talking about the core principles behind Dead Space.
ThuslyβοΈ In this edition of Through the Lens π, we'll be taking a look at Visceral Games's third-person, horror masterpiece from 2008: Dead Space, βοΈ
(also Motive Studio's remake of the same name from 2023)
Roll it! π½
https://images.ecency.com/DQmVGHD6Xb9X9NeNCjhcDXptYxepp13qc3CR5ZeaTu3Vvd3/elegant_up.png
π· UP TOP πΆ
As always, down below you can find the soundtrack for your listening pleasure while indulging in your reading pleasure. // that's this article btw
The soundtrack does its job. I've never sat down to write something and put this bad boy in the background because it's a horror game soundtrack. It has its strings, it has its violins. It's eerie, it's spooky. It's well made, that's for sure. And it more than does the job for this game. But, IMHO, it doesn't do anything revolutionary.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C48MrH30Cfs
Up top on the Up Top I have to mention that all of the images linked in this article are from the remake (2023). They just look nicer and the content between the two is virtually identical. Although we will talk about the differences later.
I personally played Dead Space around the time of its release. It was one of those games that you couldn't get away from. And as a massive horror fan myself I was at first turned off by its design. You see, I am much more of the survival horror type of guy. Guns in my horror were a no-go. Don't worry, I soon realized my folly and started appreciating this amazing piece of art. π
https://images.ecency.com/DQmVGHD6Xb9X9NeNCjhcDXptYxepp13qc3CR5ZeaTu3Vvd3/elegant_up.png
π· IMMERSIVE πΆ
The first thing I want to talk about is the level of immersion this game manages to achieve. It all starts with the HUD (there is none). There was a name for this type of HUD, but I can't find it right now. π Everything you need to know is displayed on Issac's spacesuit (Issac is our protagonist btw).
I personally love when games do this. It is one of my favorite things in video games and I wish we saw it more. But unfortunately, it's very hard to pull off and most genres don't even allow it. i.e. you just can't. But the absence of a HUD definitely increases the immersion and is a welcome change IMHO.
And this does not only concern the HUD. All elements of the game are on the screen, not in front of it. So when you upgrade your armor you see Issac walk into a chamber and walk out. When you buy an upgrade, the upgrades are on the screen in front of you. It's just cool. π And cool is an underrated aspect of video games. And art in general, I'd say.
https://images.ecency.com/DQmVGHD6Xb9X9NeNCjhcDXptYxepp13qc3CR5ZeaTu3Vvd3/elegant_up.png
π· SURVIVAL, STILL πΆ
I know I already said this game is not a survival horror game but that's not entirely true. First of all, I said that's what I thought so there's my out. π But on a more serious note, Dead Space is really a survival horror game masquerading as an action horror game. As you play the game the survival elements tend to leave in favor of the action elements. But they are undoubtedly still there.
The first improvement the Remake did was they added the stomp button that was implemented in Dead Space 2. It allows you to literally stomp enemy corpses for potential loot drops. And honestly, while cool, it kind of made the remake too easy in my opinion. π The whole point of the first game, and its survival aspect in general, is that you had to manage your ammo types very carefully. Otherwise, you'll have to brave the spaceship with your melee attacks. Never fun.
I'm sure you've gathered by now that you have to find your supplies, ammo, and weapons. You do all of this at checkpoints that are scattered throughout the map**/ship**. These checkpoints are where you can save the game and do your upgrades. A classic design that never fails to deliver. Sometimes simpler = better.
The other note of mention for the combat style is the way you have to kill the enemies. You have to slice off their limbs and force them to crawl towards you (terrifying btw) before finishing them off. This makes every encounter tense and interesting. And it also allows for a lot of interesting weaponry and ammunition.
https://images.ecency.com/DQmVGHD6Xb9X9NeNCjhcDXptYxepp13qc3CR5ZeaTu3Vvd3/elegant_up.png
π· USG Ishimura πΆ
The star of the show is undoubtedly the ship you play in. The Ishimura. π
Visceral lined the claustrophobic walls that surround you as you go from eerie corridor to eerie corridor with corpses, blood, and terrifying sights. The attention to detail in the level design, along with the level design itself, is what makes Dead Space, well... Dead Space! π
The amount of environmental storytelling going on here is staggering. This game incorporates all the elements I love about video games. π― Another thing I have to mention is how they made the audio logs in the game listenable while you play. Whereas in the original you had to just stand there. That was an antiquated design and I'm glad they changed it.
The Zero G areas are also great (even more so in the remake, as they took the implementation from the later games and placed it in the first). All of these quality-of-life changes make it so the remake is the obvious choice if you ever want to play Dead Space.
They also gave Issac a voice, since he was a silent protagonist in the first game which I think suits this type of game better. But it's no big deal.
https://images.ecency.com/DQmVGHD6Xb9X9NeNCjhcDXptYxepp13qc3CR5ZeaTu3Vvd3/elegant_up.png
π· LEGACY πΆ
This game has cemented itself in gaming lore and I doubt it's going away anytime soon.
It represents a crucial time in gaming history, and will forever be remembered as one of the greats.
I would say Dead Space and RE4 are the kings of third-person action horror, with taste playing a part in which you choose.
With the recently released remake, this game is a no-brainer to recommend. It's better than ever and open to a whole new generation. I strongly recommend you give Dead Space a try. You won't regret it.
https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/grocko/23tvktAPWYsv3F98uAeiSaqthLCELeRTzshacd8rQ5yF1Auwh4hryBMXC3fC7QLsicXMX.png
Shout-out to the πPIZZAπ gang, π€ gang. π€
Before you ask, no, I'm not doing Dead Space 2 and 3. Actually... Dead Space 3 might be fun because that game was a total trainwreck. We'll see. But I think this was a one-and-done type of deal. So we'll see, we'll see. I def feel Dead Space 1 is leagues better than Dead Space 2 though, just sayin'.
I got some buddies that have never experienced this masterpiece and can't wait to play the remake with them this weekend. This game is so cool.
π Follow me on my HIVE blog π
I hope you are having an amazing week! π
Return from Dead Space π½ Through the Lens to ΠΠΎΡΠΊΠΎ's Web3 Blog
