Dead Space is a survival horror, third-person shooter video game developed by EA Redwood Shores (now known as Visceral Games) for PC, PS3, and XBox 360.
A deep-space mining ship goes dark after unearthing a strange artifact on a distant planet. You the player are engineer Isaac Clarke, embarking on a repair mission, only to uncover a nightmarish bloodbath-the ship's crew horribly slaughtered and infected by an alien scourge. Now Isaac is cut off, trapped, and engaged in a desperate fight for survival.
The storyline starts off rather straightforward. However, there is much more to the story then meets the eye, and without spoiling anything I'll just say it is a good story that should be played.
This game is like a lot of other survival horror games, where conservation is key. Conservation of ammo, health, etc. One notable difference about this game from other survival horror games is it takes place aboard a space ship, and as a result there are some very unique, awesome game-play scenarios. There are places where there is zero gravity and you can launch yourself from wall to wall, to ceiling, to floor all the while having to fight off necromorphs (humans afflicted by the alien scourge). At first glance necromorphs just appear to be glorified zombies. However, headshots aren't enough for these things. If you want to have enough ammo to take on all the necromorphs, you have to be strategic about your shots shooting them where it hurts, gruesomely dismembering the necromorphs limb by limb is the quickest way to drop your enemy. Another aspect of the space ship, are moments where you have no oxygen and are in outer space, which is super intense, because you have limited oxygen, you can't hear anything except your own grunts from running out of air, or getting attacked (no sound in outer space).
Another cool thing about this game, is that you play an engineer, and as such can build new guns, and upgrade your plasma cutter, as well as your armor throughout the game. These upgrades are essential in order to progress through the game without pulling your hair. Alright I'm not going to lie, when I first started playing this game, the controls threw me for a loop. Once I got into the game though, I got used to the controls, and honestly I don't think they could be better. The controls are seamless, an integral part of the game melding into the environment around you along with the beautiful graphics.
The sound in the game is another integral part, the voice acting is great, with actual actors playing some of the characters, and the sound effects are perfect. Flickering lights, loud engine rooms, skiddering feet in air ducts, or loud clangs made by the necromorphs in the dark hallways, it's all there to put you on edge. The music while subtle, is definitely there, and important, particularly when there are dissonant chord strikes when a necromorph runs by your screen real fast, or when one busts out of a vent at you. A combination of all the sounds and music puts you on edge, making for a very successful thriller of a game.
Dead Space is a unique survival horror game that should be played by anyone who is a fan of survival horror games. Or even if you aren't a fan of them, and just like thrillers, or sci fi games, give this one a shot, because it is quite satisfying.
Breakdown:
Story: 8/10
The main story is intriguing throughout the game but becomes a little fumbled with toward the end, still a solid storyline though.
Graphics: 10/10
The graphics are beautiful in this game even to this day!
Sound: 10/10
The voice acting is great, the sound effects are flawless, and music is on point!
Gameplay: 10/10
The controls are seamless, and meld perfectly with the environment around you... Once you get used to them that is. And the strategic shooting of the limbs, along with the zero gravity zones make for some unique albeit gruesome gameplay.
Overall
This game is rated mature for blood and gore, intense violence, and strong language. I do not think anyone under 17 should play this game, it is super violent, with limb detachment and all. The language isn't a big deal though.
