As someone who frequents the virtual battlefield of the FPS world on a more than regular basis, I readily admit I have grown extremely reliant on my precious HUD. I constantly check all my available on-screen stats before, during, and after every single encounter. That is why when I found out I would have some hands-on time with the upcoming horror survival game Dead Space at a recent EA community event, my primary concerns were all HUD related. With a game that has no HUD whatsoever, how would I know how much health I had? Or how much ammo was available? Or what weapon I was carrying? I honestly didn’t see how it was going to work and be even remotely successful. After scoring three different play sessions with one of the most beautiful and gory titles I have ever laid eyes on, I now know the answers to both of those questions. While I used to love my sweet, sweet HUD, after playing Dead Space I am now officially switching teams. No HUD is where it’s at yo.
So I know you’re just itching to ask, “What are your first impressions of this game?” and my answer is this: Dead Space officially has the hottest development team ever. I am not shitting you. So very easy on the eyes. If for some strange reason that doesn’t quench your thirst for information, I guess I’ll go ahead and give you my second impressions as well.
When I first heard Dead Space was not going to have a HUD display, I was not the slightest bit intrigued. I was flat out concerned about how I was going to get (what I consider to be) my vital statistics. The system they came up with is really nothing short of brilliant. Basically the information you need becomes available to you exactly when you need it. When you pull out or aim your weapon, your ammo count comes up as an accompanying holographic display. When you want to check your health, you simply take a second to look at your back (it appears as a glowing blue line that curves up your spine). Everything a HUD typically shows is there when you need it without being intrusive. It allows you to stay immersed in the experience through the entirety of the game which was a feature (or lack of) I absolutely loved by the time I was done with my play sessions. The system isn’t perfect though. If you do something like back up into a corner, you can’t see your health bar. But if you are backed into a corner, I would be more concerned with the fact that you are a total and complete pussy instead of the fact that you can’t view your health. (I may or may not have spent half my playing time terrified and unable to see my health, I’m just saying.)
Another thing worth mentioning is the weapons. In a game that features “strategic dismemberment” (meaning that headshot you have been groomed to aim for is no longer as effective as shooting off all the limbs), it allows a variety of powerful weapons to be available in your arsenal. While I’m sure I didn’t get to play with all of them, the ones I did have the chance to utilize were completely bad ass. My favorite weapon by far was one that could cut a body clean in half. Watching my character repeatedly suffer that fate was almost as entertaining as doing it to the enemy. There was also a flame thrower of sorts that I often used to finish off enemies that were already hurting but as much as I loved lighting everybody on fire, the move I most enjoyed was the curb stomp. There is absolutely nothing better than shooting some creature’s legs off, having it still pull itself quickly at you Japanese horror style (think The Grudge), then going right up to it and stomping the living daylights out of it. Especially when the head comes off and slowly rolls down the hallway, … good times.
As far as the scare factor goes, I had a tough time getting a feel for that. While we played multiple levels, they weren’t back to back or even in order. It made following the story line near impossible, which obviously is a very important aspect of any game. Plus playing it in a rather sterile environment (instead of in the comfort of your living room with the lights turned off and the surround sound cranked up) provides a much different experience. While I found it did contain some scary moments, my only remaining question is if it can maintain that constant level of fear throughout the entire game. October just can’t come quick enough.
Posted by Vixx on August 8, 2008 at 4:19 am
They *were* hot, weren’t they?!
Great write up. Think I may just point people to this entry rather than write my own – you’ve summed it up better than I can. (Mine will be live over the weekend, when I’ve recovered from my jetlag. Currently cannot wriet preporly cso so tirde.)
Good to meet you, Hawty – apologies for running out without saying goodbye!
V.
Posted by Snatch on August 8, 2008 at 4:33 am
When you said you where switching teams….I thought naughty thoughts.
Other then that though, I cant wait to rent this game. Looks good, and your review is stellar. Nice write up,
Posted by TheChrisD on August 8, 2008 at 4:38 am
No HUD? Sounds like a very Call of Duty 4 Hardcore experience :)
Posted by mendicantbias00 on August 8, 2008 at 5:03 am
*sigh* no October can’t come quick enough…
I want to play this now!!!!
Posted by Bigglesworth on August 8, 2008 at 6:03 am
This game looks better and better the more I hear about it.
The Grunge? Is that like The Grudge but with Nirvana? :)
Posted by Aperture S on August 8, 2008 at 6:31 am
large wall of text is large
Posted by countofflanders on August 8, 2008 at 6:37 am
I’m going to play the “wait and see” on this game. I watched the Dev Diaries, and they seemed ok. I have no idea who this developer is, but I’m willing to give them a shot. Frankly, it’s going to be difficult to pull me away from Call of Duty 4 (and the upcoming World at War).
Hopefully, a demo is available.
Posted by Ragingterror on August 8, 2008 at 9:21 am
Fascinating. I’ll have to keep an eye on this.
Posted by kenraves on August 8, 2008 at 9:44 am
Is there multiplayer so you can betray your new team? :P
Posted by e house on August 8, 2008 at 9:47 am
Definitely going to pick this one up . . . i’ve been following it for a while. Problem is, i’m a pussy. I was in constant pants-shitting mode during Bioshock for chrissake. Seeing that I’ll buy it, then be too scared to play it, I guess that makes me a stupid (in a money management sense) pussy. I like scary movies though . . . what’s up with that?
Great write up Hawty.
Posted by FPSRantings.com on August 8, 2008 at 9:47 am
The absence of an HUD is intriguing. While not entirely new, this no-HUD style of presentation used by Dead Space is quite different from other games that also had no HUD, such as Call of Cthulhu, The Getaway, and King Kong.
I’m curious though: What is the pace of Dead Space like? Does the protagonist move like Resident Evil 4 playable characters? Or is it more like Gears of War?
Also, how is the “survival-horror” aspect inserted into the game? Does Dead Space deprive players of bullets? Are the scares cheap like Doom III?
Posted by Araknoros on August 8, 2008 at 12:08 pm
bioshock wasnt too bad, i tell you what though, when i had surgery two years ago i got loratabs and half life 2… we dont go to ravenholm + loratabs = not sleeping for 3 days and a week of checking everything for headcrabs…i twas scared shtiless. but this games looks as if it should do the same thing….without the tabs. ive been waiting since GI did an article on it. strategic dismemberment kicks more ass than Chuck Norris at a gay pride event. i cant wait for this game
Posted by Sorel on August 8, 2008 at 1:29 pm
No HUD… For a second I thought that meant no crosshair too. But this is bearable since it’s third person. Otherwise there would be problems.
Posted by bs angel on August 8, 2008 at 2:24 pm
While there is no reticle, aiming your gun (left trigger) shows exactly where it is going to hit so that isn’t an issue at all. I was really surprised with how well the no HUD worked. Something I was really worried about ended up being one of my favorite features.
Posted by doowutchyalike on August 8, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Explain easy on the eyes? I am confused.
Posted by bs angel on August 8, 2008 at 2:35 pm
As an avid FPS-er, the pace is much slower than what I am used to. This definitely isn’t a shooter. While he moves at a decent pace, I just couldn’t turn him around as fast as I wanted to when I was surrounded by enemies. I definitely needed to utilize my weapons better than I did (like use the gun that temporarily freezes someone instead of constantly forgetting I had it).
Dead Space is not completely deprived of adequate ammo, but there definitely isn’t a plenitude of it lying around. You need to aim carefully otherwise you will run out. As I was running and gunning, I completely ran out of ammo on all my guns a handful of times. I was definitely a bad shot too so it was completely my own fault. Pray and spray will not work with this game. You have shoot carefully and wisely to survive.
Posted by gamedaddy on August 8, 2008 at 2:46 pm
@ vixx & bs angel: c4n i h4z h4wtn355? you two didn’t even see any of the presentations did you, you naughty little buggers you, lol. vixx from silent hill heaven, right? if so, it was a pleasure meeting you and glad to see you made it back over the pond safely.
Posted by SpaceGhost2K on August 8, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Was that the event at Redwood Shores? Some reason, I thought it was next week. I got a card at E3 about it, but since going wasn’t gong to be an option (darn money), I didn’t pay close attention to it.
I just want the EA PR guys to get me some of their impossible to find faceplates. I mean, if faceplates are marketing tools, you’d THINK they’d TRY to let people know about them.
I’d go for a Dead Space faceplate.
Posted by gamedaddy on August 8, 2008 at 2:55 pm
one thing to remember bs angel is that each playtest session was a seperate chapter that goes further into the game. every playtest you went back to the default character you’d have at the start of the game. typically you’d have upgrades for weapons/armour, saved ammo and practice for the later chapters. thats why everyone was getting pwnd (except me of course). who knows maybe some upgrades to the armour would improve maneuverability? just a thought :)
Posted by Ian Milham on August 8, 2008 at 7:14 pm
Well now. Look who just went to the top of the Dead Space Team’s “Favorite Bloggers” list!
~ Ian
Dead Space Art Director
Posted by Casey Jones *Qweets* on August 9, 2008 at 1:08 am
Nice write up, it was fantastic meeting you at Community day and I enjoyed your write up on it! Not having a hud is absolutely fantastic because the way they implemented everything worked SO well.
Posted by Vixx on August 9, 2008 at 2:42 am
@ gamedaddy: Yep, tis me and yes, I did get home safely but obviously at the expense of the presentations. Sob. :( Drop me an email and let me know what I missed! Am confused about usernames v real names though, so I need clarification of who everyone is!
My own (informal) write up is now up at my personal blog at http://furious-angel.com. My uber nerdy review will hit Silent Hill Heaven over the weekend.
Ian – still need to send you questions. You will have to pretend I’m bored and staring at my PDA though . . .
V.
Posted by bs angel on August 9, 2008 at 2:53 am
Ms. Vixx, your email box is full so while I attempted to send you a message, it got bounced back to me. Once you delete your incredible amounts of fan mail, let me know so I can send you more to clutter up your inbox. :)
Posted by Vixx on August 9, 2008 at 3:02 am
Really?! Well, I *do* have a lot of fan mail . . . . :p
I did receive something from you a little while ago, so I’ve just hit you back with a reply. :)
V.
Posted by SpaceGhost2K on August 10, 2008 at 4:13 pm
I didn’t get to see “Dead Space” at E3 this year. I’m SpaceGhost2K, aka Ed Webb, aka “that faceplate guy.” I’d like to make about 4 custom “Dead Space” faceplates to give away to the faceplate collecting community if I could arrange to have some members of the team sign them. If you’re up for it, hit me with an email at mredwebb@aol.com.
Here’s a link to some of the plates I’ve made:
http://www.xboxaddict.com/member_faceplate_profile/46560.html
I’m no Pavel Dolgov, but I like ‘em. :)
Posted by Where Memories are Made « Hawty McBloggy Invites You to Play on August 25, 2008 at 1:00 pm
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