Dead Space 2 is the long awaited sequel to the fright-filled 2008 game that had engineer Isaac Clarke trapped on a god-forsaken, bloodthirsty monster-filled vessel with little chance of escape. But, escape he did, setting the scene for a scary sequel. The original remains one of the scariest games around. Dead Space 2 is even more so. This game will make you jump. But will that be enough to deem Dead Space 2 worthy of your cash? Read our Dead Space 2 review to find out.
Dead Space 2 is set three years after the events of the original game. Isaac Clarke, a luckless engineer wakes up from a coma in a space cityscape called ‘The Sprawl’. He’s suffering from dementia (Something rarely dealt with in games, where at the worst characters have mild amnesia and no other visible side effects). He’s not exactly tip-top. He is haunted by the events of the past. It would be unfair to spoil the ending of the prequel for those willing to play through it before Dead Space 2, but let’s just say he went through things, physical and emotional that no man should. Cut through things too, mainly alien limbs. It’s enough to drive a man crazy.
Unsurprisingly then, his mind proves to be his major weakness as he takes on whatever nasties come his way this time round, of which there are lots. The game’s events see Isaac attempt to put an end to the horrors once and for all by locating the Marker – a religious idol causing all this gory hoohah. Things, of course, aren’t that simple. The Sprawl, a once bustling space city with living quarters, shops and schools has been evacuated (not everyone made it out alive) but remains full of deadly monsters called Necromorphs, that given a chance would tear Isaac limb-from-limb.
Single player
And so begins Isaac’s horror journey to find said Marker in this wretched place. From the very beginning Isaac is in life-threatening trouble. The beginning is too good to spoil. There’s literally no time to pause, take a breath and admire the setting. It throws you straight in and literally on the run. The first hour or so is non-stop action, shocks and suspense. From the very first second of gameplay you’ll be hooked.
Fans baulked in horror, or a perceived lack of it when developer, Visceral games promised to deliver more action. But Visceral Games hasn’t skipped on the scares. Dead Space 2 is one freaky game. The first time we saw this game in action, it was being demonstrated by the developer with a cinema style surround sound set up. If you can’t replicate that, simply wear your best earphones or headphones. Seriously. If you’re brave enough, play it in the dark. The sudden howl of a Necromorph when you least expect it is guaranteed to make your body judder. At one point you’ll find yourself wandering around a corridor. It’s all quiet. Then suddenly you’ll hear footsteps of a monster scurrying past you. You look to see where noise came from, and there’s nothing there. This happens a few times in quick succession. You look around. Again, nothing. Suddenly it comes running straight at you. It’s up to you to stop it in its tracks, but after your chilling experience you end up standing there like a startled rabbit, staring death in the face.
Every trick in the books of Japanese and Western horror has been used to good effect. Light flickers, the sound of static from TV screens, ominous-sounding television and radio broadcasts playing in the background ala BioShock, and muffled voices, including babies screaming and crying in the distance add to the scary atmosphere.
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Where the first game felt slow, the sequel’s controls have been tweaked to get Isaac moving in much more nimble fashion. As weapons go players are given similar tools to the original game to get through it all. The key to fighting the Necromorphs is to strategically dismember them by cutting off their limbs using a range of weapons including pules rifles, laser cutters, guns that shoot circular saws and new weapon – the Javelin Gun. It shoots a large spike, which impales on impact. Tapping R2 on a PS3 pad, or RT on an Xbox 360 pad sends an electrical charge through the spike to shock surrounding enemies. Once they’re dead, stamping on them until they’ve turned to mush grants you extra ammo, credits to purchase new weapons, armour and first aid kits. It’s the only way you’ll survive. Dead Space 2 is brutal. It hasn’t got that 18-rating on its box for nothing.
Another technique you’ll use is Stasis to temporarily slow down enemies and fast moving doors you’ll need to stroll through without being squashed. Kinesis also makes a return, letting you pick up and throw items at the touch of a button. Unlike Stasis, which has to be topped up, kinesis power is unlimited, and comes in handy for throwing sharp objects at Necromorphs. You’ll need to when your ammo runs out. Another way to kill enemies is to melee them with kicks and punches. You’ll hardly ever need to, but that’s three ways to kill enemies. Clearing a room of Necromorphs is genuinely satisfying. But you’re always on tenterhooks because you just know something else is lurking around the next corner.
Multiplayer
Where Dead Space 2 fails is with its multiplayer mode. But not for a lack of trying. Back in November 2010, Dead Space 2 Art Director, Ian Milham told us that Dead Space 2 multiplayer is “a kind of multiplayer only possible with Dead Space 2.” That may still be true, but unfortunately it doesn’t quite capture the thrill of the single player mode. Players wait in a lobby to take turns playing as both the humans and the mutant Necromorphs. Gameplay is split into maps, each offering up a different objective.
One stage sees the human side attempt to retreat from a level via an escape pod within a time limit. Others will have you attempting to detonate a bomb, or retrieving codes by downloading them from computers without dying in the process and assembling bits of equipment to construct another explosive device.
If you’re playing as a Necromorph (players swap sides after every round) your sole role is to kill the humans. Controlling the Necromorphs is no fun. Their attacks are mostly limited to short range tentacle swipes and pathetic vomit spews. They just seem so much more dangerous in the story campaign. The objectives themselves are well executed, but end up feeling repetitive. Points earned for wins lets you purchase suit and weapon upgrades, but it’s hardly as addictive as established multiplayer franchises. But, let’s face it. Nobody is going to buy this game for multiplayer alone.
Verdict
Dead Space 2 is brilliant. It’s only January, but already we’re sure that this is easily one of the best games you’ll play this year. It’s as much an action game as it is a journey into a virtual horror movie. The slicker controls, outstanding visuals, and sound to give you a fright makes Dead Space 2 one heck of an experience. Despite its linearity, and less than enthralling multiplayer mode, Dead Space 2 couldn’t come any more highly recommended.
