Dead Space Review

The game also has a great inventory system which allows players to use their health packs, examine their weapon and ammunition options, as well as see what is in their inventory.

The game does offer an automap via the display in the suit, but I at times find this tricky as I was not able to keep the map engaged and open doors, and with multi level sections, I at times become lost trying to discern if I should go up, down, or around in a new area.

I could not get over how immersive the game was as the designers are to be highly praised for crafting a game where you clearly have a sense of dread and are worried about things popping out of nowhere. I am not the easiest person to scare and on more than one occasion in the game, I found myself on edge thanks to the sounds and settings of the game, and also thanks to an enemy that appears often out of nowhere. During one early stage of the game, I was watching a set of machines operate after completing a repair. Since I had cleared the room earlier, I thought I was safe, so you can image my surprise when I was concentrating on a control board only to find a deadly claw appear over my shoulder with no warning or sound.

The story cleverly combines the best of science fiction and horror and reminded me of “Alien”, “The Thing” and “Event Horizon”, but not in a way that seemed to copy any of the films. The visuals of the game were amazing, as so much detail was paid to the look and layout of the ship. As I walked the dark and dangerous corridors, I was ever alert to the grids, vents, doorways, and shadows where my next attacker could appear at any time without warning.

The audio quality of the game is also a huge feature of the game as the clever use of sounds such as clattering metal, doors opening, and more are used to infuse a sense of dread into players, as well as keep you on edge as on more than once occasion I whirled in the direction of a sound ready to fight the unknown only to find that my enemies were waiting elsewhere.

Playing on the Playstation 3 system I was happy to see that the game was dual shock enabled and using the Dual shock 3 control allowed me for a new level of enjoyment thanks to the rumble features of the game which added a new dimension to the gritty combat of the game.

Rarely do I find a game that not only delivers a compelling and scary story with solid action and graphics as was the case with Dead Space which is simply one of the best games I have ever played and is destined to become a classic.

5 stars out of 5