From the Vault — originally published February 8, 2011. Some links, videos or prices may be out of date.
Dead Space 2 is a survival horror third-person shooter developed by Visceral Games and published by Electronic Arts for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows.
This new game picks up 3 years after the last game ended. The game starts off with Issac Clark waking up on a civillan space colony in a patient testing room with a straight jacket on in a special wing of a hospital. It gets real as soon as the game starts.
The new setting does much to improve upon some of the shortcomings of the last game. One of my biggest complaints about the original Dead Space was the seeming lack of variety in the environment. The dark grey corridors and rooms of the Ishamura setting of the first game was not diverse enough. Dead Space 2 is set on a space colony and this provided for much more variety. For example you travel through schools, hospitals, apartments, churches and government buildings. The variety keeps things very interesting.
Many of the environments in Dead Space 2 were reminders of other games like Bioshock and Resident Evil 4. Going through the wrecked apartments at one point was a total nod to doing the same in Bioshock. As was picking up audio logs and walking through the abandoned shopping areas. Creepy religious buildings are a total nod to Resident Evil. Although the game borrows from other franchises it does so in a way that works very well.
Its very easy to get lost in the game as there is no major separation between levels. In the first game you went on the train to the next section of the ship for the next level but Dead Space 2 much like Uncharted 2 takes you on one continuous ride with no loading in between levels. Superb and addictive. Many times I had to pull myself away.
There are a total of 15 chapters or levels in Dead Space 2.
Also like Uncharted 2, Issac Clark speaks with no helmet throughout the game. This creates a more engaging story and there are more scenes like those in Half life 2 where you directly engage other characters in a live fashion as opposed to a cutscene video. Using these styles to present the characters the story itself is much more interesting.
Dead Space 2 also improves on just about all of the unique ideas presented in the first game. The map system from the first game is removed along with the need to backtrack. Some may not like the removal of the need to backtrack though I found that it helped the progression. Instead of stopping to check your map you can click in the right stick to pull up an objective indicator. Not having to pull up a map so often is a huge improvement.
Zero gravity sections play out much different due to the ability to free fly around. Issac’s suit now has thrusters that can be used to move freely in these zero gravity areas. The thrusters make these sections exponentially more enjoyable.
There are also sections where the player is flying forward and you have to maneuver around space debris. This is very similar to the flying upwards or downwards sections in God of War III. These parts of the game are not many but refreshing departures from the mostly corridor shooting pieces.
The combat is still based on dismemberment of varied enemy types. The animations and resulting dismembered pieces are really well done. This new game takes the dismemberment mechanic up a few notches and the resulting combat is more visceral and enjoyable. You can now use dismembered body parts as projectile weapons when combined with your kinesis power. You can shoot enemy claws like spears back at them and you can use body parts as shields. This is not a game you want to play around children. The graphics are detailed and may be a bit much for the more squeamish.
Sound design is a huge part of the game and much an be missed by listening to the game with television speakers. This game as a great surround sound mix with excellent positional audio. Enemy positions and ques to incoming attacks can be discerned from the surround audio. Also atmospheric details and the creepy mood is intensified by great use of sound elements. Creaks, steam, moans and other elements all come together in a superb way intensifying the mood. This is a game that must be experienced with a nice home surround system or surround headphones.for the full effect.
Dead Space 2 is an action packed ride and the best survival horror game I have played since Resident Evil 4. It borrows from the best games out there and improves on the first game in just about every conceivable way. Less need to stop and use menus, no loading between stages, better graphics and sound, improved combat and weapons. More varied environments and play sequences. If your in the mood for a few scares, action and thrills this is the game to play.
