Game Spotlight: Dead Space 2

I’ve written spotlight entries for the original Dead Space, the prequel that originally came out for Wii, Dead Space: Extraction, and the first animated movie of the series, Dead Space: Downfall… now after quite a long wait, I finally get to write one for Dead Space 2!

Ever since I played the original game, I’ve become quite a huge fan of Dead Space and rank it among the best games that have come out of what has been a very productive generation. Visceral and EA have invested a lot in the series with a collection comprising of comics, side-story games, animations, etc. Though, while there is a whole variety of media with the Dead Space name attached to it, it’s the games in the main series, starring Isaac Clarke, that are the ones you really need to pay attention to.

I think this may turn out to be another long entry, so I’ll just get right into it…

Story

In the original Dead Space, released in 2008, engineer Isaac Clarke found himself stuck in a nightmarish situation aboard the USG Ishimura. Through sheer determination to reunite with his girlfriend, Nicole Brennan, and some handy tools at his side, he managed to survive… though the damage caused by that terrible incident can never be erased and will continue to haunt Isaac years later…

Whether you think the story in Dead Space was done to your particular taste or not, there is no denying that Visceral have come up with quite an interesting and rich universe filled with layers and depth we haven’t even witnessed yet.

Of course, the great thing about Dead Space 2 is that you don’t really have to play the first game or view/play any of the other media to know what the hell going on with the second game for a couple of reasons. You’re treated to an optional “Previously on Dead Space” video on the start menu that will fill in everything that has happened during the events of Dead Space and Dead Space: Extraction. Not only that, but the game provides enough well placed exposition through audio and text logs as well as some skilfully written dialogue as you progress through the game. As long as you’re willing to listen to what people are saying and read the logs laying around, you’ll be able to stay informed of the situation and why people are suddenly turning into Necromorphs with their guts spewing out of their bodies as they claw, bite and puke into those who are still human.

For those of us who are into Dead Space and have played the first game, Dead Space 2 does give you some pretty good insights into some of the unknown factors which were brought up in the first game, but it also tells a more personal story about Isaac and the trauma he has had to endure this entire time. By the end of it, Isaac realises what he has to do and you realise that what Isaac has experienced so far in these two games is only the tip of the spear going right through your eye…

I realise I haven’t really told you much about what goes on with the games story specifically, but that’s because it’s something to be experienced first hand… so let’s move onto other things…

Gameplay

Many will note that the first Dead Space feels a lot like a much smoother and fluid version of Resident Evil 4 in terms of gameplay mechanics. Both games use the over the shoulder view coupled with the hold to aim functionality, however Visceral also gave the player direct 360 degree camera control and allowed people to move as they fired their weapon. However, what really made Dead Space stand out was Isaac’s ability to use Stasis and Kinesis modules to slow down and move objects respectively. Dead Space 2 further improves these abilities awhile also giving Isaac the ability to move freely in zero-g areas.

For Kinesis, you will find that there are many more environmental objects you can use to impale and knock over Necromorphs with, allowing you to save your ammo and give you an opportunity to get into a more defensible position. But the fun really comes from being able to rip the blades and claws from the Necromorphs themselves and using them to give those creepy bastards a taste of their own medicine. Coupled with the Stasis ability and you’ll end up clearing a room full of very pissed off Necromorphs in no time… though, that’s only if you aren’t the type to be trigger happy, trying to shoot at everything that moves without considering how much ammunition you have left. Stay cool and think what kind of tactics you can use with what you have laying around you and you’ll find that Stasis and Kinesis are just as needed to survive as your trusty Plasma Cutter.

On the other side of things, Isaac’s improved mobility in zero-g environments is a HUGE improvement over the first game which just had you jumping from platform to platform to get around. Now Isaac has thrusters on his suit that allow him to get around pretty easily. It does feel a little awkward at first, however once you get used to it, the controls for zero-g travel are very easy to master and the auto-orientation button allows you to keep your feet pointing “down” so you won’t get confused if you turn yourself around too much.

All in all, what few improvements that were made to the sequel were very well done and made Dead Space 2 a lot more enjoyable to play than the first… though I do hope they allow players to open doors while holding an object with Kinesis for Dead Space 3…

Audio & Visuals

Dead Space 2 continues to bring forth exceptional direction in sound and lighting to help create some awesome atmospheric environments and the best cinematic moments ever seen in the series… or in any game made for that matter. The industrial corridors of the USG Ishimura are replaced with the more lived-in residential environment of The Sprawl including a School/Day Care Centre filled with some more evidence that the folks over at Visceral seem to think the kids are generally creepy little creatures that should be stomped on. The new Necromorph variants introduced into Dead Space 2 are very much welcomed into the fold… from exploding babies and vomiting Necromorphs to a variant that can only be described as Human Velociraptors. You’re going to have to keep on your toes and have a selection of weapons ready to handle them.

Of course, one of the biggest differences between the original Dead Space and Dead Space 2 comes from Isaac himself… his change has caused a bit of a stir among fans, some of which don’t like the idea of Isaac talking or his new look. Granted, he does look a little different from the original character model from the first game, however I do feel that it fits with Isaac’s current state… he hasn’t exactly been living a comfortable life for the last three years so he’s not going to be the well rested man who didn’t really have any troubles to concern him during the beginning of the first game.

However, I can see why a lot of people were worried by the idea of giving Isaac a voice and having him talk throughout Dead Space 2… after all, look at what Nintendo did to Samus. Thankfully, the folks over at Visceral have been a lot more careful with Isaac… he’s awesome. Simply awesome. That’s really all you can say… this is a man who has had enough of the worlds bullshit and just wants some damn answers. He’s also the only person on the entire station who knows what has to do in the face of these monstrous creatures. Instead of being told what to do, he’s the one giving orders and is very commanding when he does so… there’s one scene where he’s found himself in a dimly lit room full of Necromorphs lurking in the dark when one of the supporting characters calls him. His reaction to the interruption of what is one hell of a tense situation is a commanding “NOT NOW!”… awesome.

Isaac is voiced by Gunner Wright who does an amazing job at capturing the different emotions and intensities Isaac goes through throughout the game. The character interactions between him and the supporting characters are very well presented and the voice acting is amazing. It also feels a right to hear Isaac converse with supporting characters instead of him just silently obeying as he did in the first game.

In addition to the character interactions and voice acting, a lot more cinematic flare has been put into the various action scenes throughout the game. Isaac throws himself into some pretty crazy situations, though when you think about it, at this stage he’s a character that really doesn’t have that much to lose. Most of these big cinematic moments are scripted events with some small level of control over Isaac similar to smaller events that took place in the first game, however there are some moments where you just can’t believe what you saw and what the game just made you do.

Truly, Dead Space 3 will have a lot to live up to when it is finally released a couple of years or so from now.

Multiplayer

I’ll be perfectly honest here and say it upfront… I haven’t played the multiplayer part of Dead Space 2 yet… and, I don’t really need to because multiplayer in any form is not why I play and love Dead Space. I may give it a try in the future just to see what it’s like, but I doubt I’ll actually put any real time into it. Though, I guess, as a developer you wouldn’t feel too great about players shrugging off your efforts with adding multiplayer to a game… sorry to the folks over at Visceral, but that’s just the way I feel.

From what I have seen and read of the multiplayer though, it really is just a variation of what you can find on Left 4 Dead… just with a Dead Space theme. Perhaps when Visceral starts with the production of Dead Space 3, they’ll consider expanding on their concept of a Dead Space multiplayer into something that is actually worth getting excited about.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, I was really impressed by what I experienced in Dead Space 2… it has truly topped the original in gameplay and presentation and has geared me up for wanting more… more! MORE!! *ahem* Which is probably why it’s a good thing that some DLC is being released to satisfy those of us who will basically say “Shut up and take my money!” It’ll be interesting to play the two chapter long DLC titled “Salvage” as it stars Gabe Weller and Lexine Murdoch from Dead Space: Extraction… maybe I’ll write up another separate Game Spotlight for that when it comes out… I can’t wait.

Now that I’ve finally written up a pretty epic entry for Dead Space 2, be sure to check back for future entries I’ll be writing for the second animated movie… or rather collection of animated shorts, Dead Space: Aftermath as well as the interactive comic, Dead Space: Ignition… though, I definitely won’t be going all out with the Ignition entry as I did with this one.