It hasn’t taken too long to have a game of the year contender. Dead Space 2 is one of the most thrilling titles released in a long time. It is just generally eerie from start to finish.
For all of the time I played it, I was on the edge of my seat waiting for the next swarm of necromorphs, to see what form they would take or even just wondering why there was a large amount of dead bodies littered on the dark ground.
Stuff like that was only a small touch, but it all adds up and makes this such a thriller. In truth it is the whole experience that messes with your mind and has you wondering why the curtain is twitching in your living room and what the unexpected noise upstairs is.
The uncertainty comes from your character Isaac Clarke, over the lack of clarity in each mission and the terrain you explore. It makes a gaming experience that is vastly enjoyable and just a bit weird.
As with all classic titles now, Dead Space 2 has a strong storyline to back up the lightening fast gameplay and action. The original Dead Space was just as scary and exciting, but there is a bit more beef in this story.
It’s a tactical shooter, but not overly complex in its deliverance. A lot of the time it can be “shoot, shoot, shoot”, but you always feel there is more to come.
The game is set a few years after the end of the original. Isaac is rescued by Franco but he is soon alone and left to face the necromorphs once again, which are somehow still alive and as dangerous as ever.
It is the start of a difficult journey for Isaac. The simplicity is exciting. It becomes pretty clear what is needed from the start. The necromorphs must be defeated, and a lot of the time that is only a minor problem for the lead character.
Supporting the title is a tremendous soundtrack, a necessity for a title like this, where the niche is an expected thrill-a-minute for the gamer.
I haven’t been overly bothered with the multi-player, it feels as if it is a second-thought in this game but that is not a major flaw. We were not anticipating the release for the multi-player. This is all about the true brilliance of a well-executed action horror title and Dead Space 2 ranks with the very best.
Rory Houston
