I had a spine-chilling nightmare last night I was being brutally attacked by disfigured and bloodthirsty alien creatures. I quickly pulled out a weapon to kill them but discovered it was out of ammo. Completely panicked and backpedaling into a corner, I pulled out another weapon which was also out of ammo. Four weapons and no ammo later, the violent pack continued to approach and began to devour me after slicing my body completely in half. I watched in horror as my blood splattered on the creatures that were consuming my flesh and the life slowly seeped from my body. Then I promptly proceeded to relive the same experience five more times as the nightmare continued to replay, small variances each time but always reaching the same deathly conclusion. Meet Chapter Five of Dead Space, a small part of the nightmare you can’t wake up from.
A horror survival game in which you play as an engineer named Isaac Clarke, Dead Space takes you to the future where you must battle a hostile alien species called the Necromorphs aboard a stricken and infested mining ship. So far I have only managed to complete five levels of this terrifying game as the sheer creepiness has stopped me from playing it for extended periods at night. Dead Space does an amazing job at not only making you jump out of your seat in fright but also maintaining a constant level of fear. The scariest game I have played on the 360 thus far, Dead Space keeps the goosebumps raised through a near perfect balance of sinister sound effects, ominous environments, infernal enemies, and spooky lighting. The absence of a HUD and the lack of cut scenes allows you to maintain full control of your character and thus stay completely and fully immersed in the nightmare that is your mission to survive upon the USG Ishimura.
I’ll bring you more impressions as I battle my way through the game but as I attempt to forge a path to level six, I will tell you the story line is enthralling enough that I am completely enraptured in solving the mystery that is Dead Space. The numerous text, audio, and video logs available for pick up throughout the game are addicting as they provide greater insight into the depth of the story. The game controls take a little getting used to but become second nature before you reach the end of the first level. The graphics are beautifully gory and jaw-dropping gorgeous, as is Isaac Clarke. At one point I upgraded his suit and he disappeared into a chamber to get changed. I was hoping he would come out in an easter egg birthday suit but alas, he reemerged fully clothed but still very much drool-worthy. As someone who loves looking at all the smaller details of the game, I’ll leave you with something I found written on the walls of the ship.
Indeed.
Posted by BBJynne on October 12, 2008 at 2:03 pm
that sounds horrible..
how can you think that’s cool?
Posted by Handmade Hero on October 12, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Nice write up, just reading it gave me goosebumps :)
how many of those messages exist in the game, have you found more of them?
Posted by bs angel on October 12, 2008 at 2:09 pm
I love deliciously scary and gory games BBJynne. It’s definitely my genre of choice.
There are tons of writings on the walls Handmade Hero. I love looking at those little things, which is probably why I’ve invested five hours into the game and only completed four levels. :)
Posted by silvercube on October 12, 2008 at 2:13 pm
oh my : )
what’s next, silent hill?
i like scary movies.. but scary games… umm *runs away*
Posted by Jim 028 on October 12, 2008 at 2:14 pm
I’m not much for the survival horror genre, I enjoyed RE4 mostly for the tight gameplay and laughable dialogue.
If this has a really good story to it I might just have to step away from Halo 3 for a little while and give it play. After I finish the ever increasing pile of games on my shelf that is.
Posted by Das Kalk on October 12, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Is it out in the States already? I’m in Canada and it’s not out until Wednesday…
Posted by bs angel on October 12, 2008 at 2:30 pm
US release date is Tuesday the 14th. Does Canada’s release dates usually mirror those?
Posted by Mace Windex on October 12, 2008 at 3:03 pm
They should. Any differences are usually just 1 day, and rarely at that. Also, I’m proud to announce that I joined the Betrayed By BS Angel™ club last night. Not as prestigious as the Mile High Club, but I’ll take it.
Posted by Socket on October 12, 2008 at 3:09 pm
You’ve now further embedded in my brain, that I will not only NOT get it, I will also now NOT think about this game.
Posted by PikminGod on October 12, 2008 at 3:15 pm
whats deadspace? is it anything like that cool new game coming out called “Legendary”?
Posted by Ken Raves on October 12, 2008 at 3:24 pm
She got an early review copy from (coughsleepingwithcough) EA. This looks god but I doubt I’m gonna buy it for a while, probably just ognna rent it, beat it, and buy it in mnay months.
Posted by Chewbeccawacca on October 12, 2008 at 3:59 pm
I’ve been so excited about this game over the part year. But my xbox RRoD’d last week, so I won’t be able to play it for a while… unless I go to my buddies house and play it there. Hmm.
Posted by Das Kalk on October 12, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Well usually, but some games won’t even come out in Qeuebec because they are required to have an entirely french manual. For instance, Rock band two is not available in Quebec at all (ours is released the 19th, what about you?). A lot of times things are held up at the border, for instance; Brothers In Arms arrived two days late because of that sort of hold up. Dead space is set to release in Canada on the 16th :( You’ll have two full days of playing on me. Did you get an advance copy?
Oh yeah, and the reason I know all of this is because I work at an EB Games…
Posted by Naepa34 on October 12, 2008 at 6:27 pm
I’ll be honest, just from reading this site I have decided to get the game. The developers owe you $60.
Posted by mendicantbias00 on October 12, 2008 at 6:49 pm
[Mr. Burns]
Excellent.
[/Mr. Burns]
Posted by SpaceGhost2K on October 12, 2008 at 7:16 pm
I already begged Ian and the guys to sign the faceplates. It would probably be too much to beg for a copy of the game too, huh? Lol. I didn’t get renewed as an MVP, so my days of seeing a game show up in the mail once in a while are probably over. I have a projector in my gameroom and play on about an 8′ diagonal screen. And I have surround sound. I think Dead Space would rock the world in my game room.
Besides the orange faceplates, I made a black one for a member of the team: http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b37/SpaceGhost2K/Faceplate%20Customs/Dead_Space_Black.jpg
Posted by Queen 0f Blades on October 12, 2008 at 8:24 pm
My god, I want that game. Games that make me piss my pants even when I’m not playing them = win for me. And you are not helping me, because now I want to play it even more. -.-
Posted by CrazedOne1988 on October 12, 2008 at 11:47 pm
Holy crap that seems scary as hell.
Posted by DeepCee on October 13, 2008 at 12:56 am
mmmmm…..
DeepCee like Dead Space.
DeepCee want Dead Space.
Now I’m confused between getting this or Far Cry2.
Oh well….It’s gonna be a while before they are both available here anyway.
Posted by Skibur on October 13, 2008 at 12:57 am
I like scary, but not gory… It’s a miss for me for the gore reason alone :(
Posted by CrazedOne1988 on October 13, 2008 at 1:04 am
I already can’t stand scary movies……….
…….. They give me nightmares………..
Posted by bs angel on October 13, 2008 at 1:17 am
Oh man, you’re missing out. I love horror and I love gore, both in movies and video games. I’m quite twisted that way. There is just nothing better than an evening spent getting the shit scared out of you. :)
Posted by CrazedOne1988 on October 13, 2008 at 1:37 am
You know ever since I saw “The Ring”, I’ve had to close my closet doors before I go to bed. Im just not a big fan of scary movies.
Posted by DeepCee on October 13, 2008 at 2:06 am
I know what you mean Crazed… My sis gets freaked out every time I do the weird throaty noise from the movie. heh heh
Posted by KaiserKold on October 13, 2008 at 9:06 am
I haven’t yet played this game, but it reminds me so much of the game “Run Like Hell” (which honestly had pretty shitty gameplay, but good graphics, voice acting and story). I’m probably wrong, it’s probably nothing like RLH, but has anyone else who’s played RLH get similarity vibes from this?
Posted by vixx on October 13, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Question is, will I be able to get past Lv 6? Cos going on my prior attempt? I think FAIL features heavily in my future. :p
V xx
Posted by Havoc 101 on October 13, 2008 at 6:07 pm
I’m going to wuv this game…..
Posted by Upgrading to the Birthday Suit « Hawty McBloggy Invites You to Play on October 16, 2008 at 1:37 pm
[...] you started playing Dead Space? Do you have MSN messenger? Do you want me to have your babies? If you only answered yes to one of [...]
Posted by Ryan on January 6, 2009 at 11:21 am
I LOVE DEAD SPACE!!! It scares the shit out of me but I’m on my second play-through :3
Posted by Ryan on January 6, 2009 at 11:23 am
@ one of the comments above:
After i saw the trailer for The Ring i couldn’t sleep for days >.<