Dead Space 2
Producer: Electronic Arts
Release Date: January 25, 2011
Platform: Xbox 360, PS3, Microsoft Windows
Rating: Mature
Genre: Survival Horror
Scared Shitless!
Written by Mike Lowther
Okay, there’s nothing like a title that fills your underwear with bodily fluids, twists it into a ball, and shoves it up your crack so hard you can taste it. The survival horror series is nothing to be joked about. Since Resident Evil and Silent Hillrevolutionized the genre, there haven’t been many strong followers. Though, I would say it’s a genre that has more ups than downs, where content lacks simply in the sequel department. Dead Space may be one of the most underrated survival horror games of this generation. Why do I say this, even though it has high rankings and scores all across the board? Because not everyone has given it a crack. It’s a game that a lot of players have passed on, most likely because the competition is filled with numerous action/adventure and shooter titles with better advertising and promotion. But the #1 comment I read on the forums is, “I skipped over Dead Space when it first came out, how did I miss this? I played it all the way through.” Take a tiny gander at the sound design and timing of the gameplay and you won’t put it down. Or, maybe you will because you’re a sissy. I digress, Dead Space 2 is here!
Hey, survival-horror. You want me to like you? Make me turn off the console with a ghastly look on my face. Sure, I can be a little terrified from ghosts and spirits, but shock value is what I’m looking for. The genre of survival horror is intended to spook the audience. In reality, Dead Space 2 is like a pop-up book about aliens while tripping acid. In this sequel, we’re acquainted with Isaac who has no recollection of the last three years. Along the way, we meet a few people: a woman named Daina, a jittery Nolan, and occasionally we’ll have vicious flashbacks of a dead girlfriend. Despite their characteristics, few will be able to help you survive.
Aesthetically, this game is flawless. Deep shadows encompass blood-ridden storage rooms whilst a creepy lurching sound slithers in a ceiling compartment above your head. The developers set up a scene in every area so tightly, it’s movie-esque. Though Dead Space gripped me by the balls and had me anxious to turn off the game out of pure chicanery immediately after a level ending, Dead Space 2 is seamless and plays as one continuous movement. It’s so hard to turn off the game as it leaves you dying to find out what’s going to happen next. But in the multiplayer department, I couldn’t be less interested. It’s very obvious that game companies are forcing developers to push out a multiplayer facet, completely bypassing exciting playability most of the time. Take a look at Bioshock 2, for example. 2K Games hired a separate company to produce the multiplayer section, which didn’t even receive notable acclaim. Just goes to show how the forced multiplayer aspect of game development shines. And it doesn’t. In Dead Space 2’s case, nothing special. It’s basically a game of ‘cops versus robbers’… but in space… with aliens… yeah.
Kick everyone out, turn off the lights, and press start. There’s no other way you can get a single-player experience like this unless you’re alone and vulnerable. When I say vulnerable, I say it in the safest sense of the word. If you don’t have an excellent sound system, I recommend some good headphones to accompany a fantastic 8-hours of gameplay and spooks to tell your friends the next day.