Dead Space introduces players to Isaac Clarke, an engineer on a mission to repair the planet-cracker USG Ishimura. Upon arrival, Isaac and his team discover a catastrophic situation. The crew is missing, leaving behind only carnage. With their ship damaged, they must venture into the vast USG Ishimura to locate essential equipment and uncover the truth behind the events. Initially armed only with his engineering tools, Isaac quickly finds himself facing nightmarish creatures, the transformed crew of the Ishimura, intent on destruction. Driven by the hope of rescuing his beloved Nicole, who is somewhere on board, Isaac enters the fight for survival.
Having played the original Dead Space on Xbox 360 in 2008, I was thoroughly impressed. The immersive atmosphere, compelling narrative, advanced graphics, and innovative game mechanics were truly groundbreaking for that console era. More recently, I reviewed The Callisto Protocol, a title created by Glen Schofield, a key developer behind the original Dead Space. Consequently, the announcement of a Dead Space remake was met with considerable anticipation.
The 2023 iteration is simply titled Dead Space, foregoing the “remaster” or “remake” subtitle. To clarify the distinction, a remaster typically involves updating the graphics and sound of an existing game without fundamental changes to its core gameplay or content. An example of this (though it oddly calls itself a remake) is The Last of Us Part 1, which received a visual upgrade for Playstation 5. Dead Space, however, is unequivocally a remake. Beyond graphical and audio enhancements, it features numerous significant alterations and additions compared to the original.
To avoid excessive detail, I will outline some of the key changes:
In the original game, Isaac Clarke was a silent protagonist. This remake gives him a voice, provided by the original actor, Gunner Wright, and incorporates his likeness into the character model.
While the core mission objectives remain consistent, the methods for achieving them have been revised in several instances. The addition of fuse management, requiring players to reroute power to different sections, adds a layer of strategic problem-solving. Familiar elements like battery manipulation return. Certain previously illuminated areas are now shrouded in darkness, necessitating the use of a flashlight for navigation, enhancing the tension and suspense.
The Necromorphs are now more resilient, requiring more focused firepower to eliminate. Weapon upgrades are available, but initial weapon performance is reduced compared to the original, contributing to a heightened sense of vulnerability during encounters.
Zero-G sections have been redesigned, resulting in a significantly less frustrating experience compared to the original, in my opinion.
Weapons that were previously exclusive to in-game purchases can now be found scattered throughout the game world.
Nodes, formerly used for both equipment upgrades and unlocking doors, are now exclusively used for upgrading equipment. This is a welcome change. Locked doors can now be opened through alternative means.
Perhaps the most significant addition is the inclusion of optional side missions, providing a non-linear element to the gameplay. These missions offer deeper insight into the events leading up to the outbreak. Furthermore, certain containers require a higher security clearance to open, encouraging replayability.
Playing the remake of Dead Space delivers one of the most intense and terrifying gaming experiences I’ve had. I highly recommend using surround sound or a quality pair of surround headphones to fully immerse yourself in the environment and pinpoint the location of threats. The Necromorphs utilize the ventilation system, allowing them to emerge from unexpected locations. Frequent saving and awareness of save point locations are crucial for managing progress.
The original game featured SAVE-STATIONS located periodically throughout the environment. The Playstation 5 version, which I used for this review, includes an autosave function. However, a friend playing on Xbox Series X reports that this feature is absent, suggesting it may be exclusive to the Playstation version.
Dead Space boasts impressive graphical fidelity. Achieving a consistent 60fps at a full 4K resolution demands a high-end PC. Even with an RTX 4090, frame rate dips can occur at 4K. On Playstation 5, players must choose between prioritizing frame rate (up to 60fps) or resolution (capped at 1440p). On my 55-inch TV, the resolution reduction is not particularly noticeable, although sharpness is slightly reduced. For me, and many of us here, maintaining a smooth and seamless gaming experience with a high frame rate is paramount.
Ultimately, is Dead Space worth the full retail price, considering its age? The answer is a resounding YES. The remake enhances the original in every way, making it a worthwhile experience even for those who, like myself, thoroughly enjoyed the original on Xbox 360. Had Dead Space been a completely new IP, it would have received a perfect score. However, given its 15-year history, I have deducted one point.
Electronic Arts provided a review code for this analysis. The provision of review materials does not influence our editorial process.
