Dead Space (2008)

My return to the Ishimura was fun, been forever since I last played. This is the game that helped me get less scared of other horror games, would play again later. Great game.

Great horror game made me go back and rewatch the movie the inspired it Event Horizon. Great mix of horror movies blended in to a master piece

I have always wanted to play Dead Space for years ever since it came out but never got the chance to do so. Resident Evil 4 is a top favourite game of mine and I heard that it had a huge influence in the development of Dead Space so naturally I wanted to check the game out for myself. Having played it recently, I wish I was able to play Dead Space sooner because it is definitely a horror classic. [b]Story[/b] You play as an Engineer named Isaac Clarke as you navigate through the USG Ishimura and fight to survive the Necromorphs. Along the way, you uncover the mystery as to what happened to the crew onboard the Ishimura. [b]Visuals[/b] Visually, Dead Space still looks great for a 2008 game. The lighting and shadows play a huge role in creating an unsettling atmosphere. The environments of the spaceship feel both futuristic and claustrophobic, with flickering lights and blood-stained walls creating constant tension and unease. The Necromorph designs are horrific and grotesque, and when combined with dark hallways, they significantly enhance the overall sense of fear. [b]Audio[/b] Sound design plays a massive role in building the game's creepy atmosphere. You constantly hear movement in the vents and noises in the background. I was always on edge whenever I entered a room even when there were no enemies. The sudden screams from Necromorph jumpscares jolted me in my seat. The audio design does an excellent job of increasing your anxiety as you explore the Ishimura. [b]Gameplay[/b] Dead Space plays similar to Resident Evil 4 in terms of combat. The camera goes over Isaac's shoulder when aiming, allowing for aiming precision. Instead of traditional weapons, you use engineering tools such as the Plasma Cutter which shoots horizontal or vertical beams. In traditional horror games, shooting off enemy heads would result in an instant kill. In Dead Space however, you have to dismember enemies by targeting their limbs. Shooting their heads off can actually make them more aggressive. I really like this subversion. It adds a fresh and unique take to the combat. The Necromorphs move fast so trying to aim for their limbs can be quite challenging. To counter this, you have a stasis ability that slows them down for a limited time, giving you a better chance to take them apart. You also earn credits throughout the game which can be used to upgrade your weapons and armour, something that becomes essential as enemies get stronger over time. [b]Difficulty[/b] The controls are starting to show its age, as there are some noticeable jank when controlling Isaac. The game often throws multiple enemies at you which leads to a lot of running and shooting. One issue I had was when trying to reload my weapons. Isaac completely stops moving while reloading, leaving him vulnerable to attacks. I would have preferred being able to reload while moving. The map design was a little confusing, so I ended up not relying on it at all. Fortunately, there is a navigation feature that shows you where you need to go at all times, which helps prevent you from getting lost. [b]Overall[/b] Dead Space is a sci-fi horror classic and a true successor to Resident Evil 4. While it shares similarities with combat, Dead Space has its own original story and gameplay mechanics as well. The game was able to scare me with its atmosphere and creepy monster designs. I really wish I had played this sooner but I'm glad that I finally did. I highly recommend Dead Space to any horror fan.