Dead Space

The original Dead Space 2008 game was an instant horror classic. The story, the characters, the gameplay, the setting and the script all contributed to one of the best and most memorable horror games ever made. The remake not only recaptured all of this, but also developed on it to make an even better experience.

The remake included segments that improved the horror value and then changed certain segments that were deemed the original games faults and so improved the gameplay and pacing. The loading screens being removed helped with this as we never get a chance to relax, allowing the horror atmosphere to intensify for the viewer or gamer.

I was really impressed with this remake which was a shock as I was concerned that this would have been a worser version of the original game. In fact, it was better! The added side missions and cinematics also helped create even more curiosity towards the main plot, which for me, made the overall story far more satisfying.

This game was a clear example that even the best games can be improved. It was nice to see an old classic be revived and brought back to life! I hope Dead Space 2 gets a remake too!

"Hey, I've played the original Dead Space on PS3. Then, I've replayed it. Again. And again. Several times. I already know all the scary moments. This game has no surprise for me and won't be scary!" That was what I've said before playing Dead Space Remake on my PS5. Famous last words.

What is impressive is that even if I played the original game several times, I still get scared by the remake. On my first playthrough of this remake, I had the feeling of reliving the first time I've played the original Dead Space PS3. The original Dead Space felt like a video game, but Dead Space Remake feels real.

It feels real because of the massive graphic improvement compared to the PS3 version. This improved graphic details, like the blood splattered on the floor, the design details of the necromorphs, the necromorph's skin being peeled when we use the Force Energy gun, etc.

It feels real because of the sound design. Like the sound of the necromorph claws clunking on the metal floor when it runs towards you. Or the omnipresent distant sound of necromorphs in the ventilation system, just to let you know that you're never safe on this USG Ishimura.

It feels real because of the improvement in gameplay. Many examples:

>>> In zero gravity sections, no need to make a straight-line jump anymore, Isaac has the jetpacks on his shoes like in Dead Space 2.

>>> By the way, I appreciated the fact that we directly fly to the USM Valor in chapter 10. It was definitely more realistic. In the original game, the ship looked ridiculously small from the outside compared to its actual map. So, that's a smart change.

>>> The new alternative shot of the line gun: a real delight, especially when we stick the laser to an object and use telekinesis on the object.

>>> No loading time! This is insane. Like no loading time between each chapter. By the way, in the original game, the game was very linear because we had to go from chapter 1 to chapter 12 without any backtracking. In this remake, we can backtrack to different areas of the ship, either by using the tram or by going through doors between each section of the ship (and of course, again, without any loading time). I really appreciated this feature.

>>> When we backtrack, we can now follow some side quests that we didn't have back in the original game.

>>> Speaking of backtracking, I must mention that particular feature in the remake: the Intensity Director. THAT is how you create horror. The guys working on the remake definitely understood how to make horror games. In summary, when we backtrack to areas we previously visited, some necromorphs can randomly spawn, or lights might suddenly go off, or we might even get quarantine moments. In a horror game, the player should not "expect" the horror, otherwise he/she would be less scared. So, it's important to keep the player on the edge by scaring him on moments he/she expects the less. The player should not feel safe.

In terms of story, the story is kind of the same as the original Dead Space, with some tweaks during some moments, like in the mining section at the end of Chapter 7 (those who played the original game and the remake, and memorised that section of the game in their minds, know what I am talking about).

Finally, a very repayable game. Obviously, I replayed the remake several times, just as I did for the original game. The fun factor about Dead Space is when you replay the game a 2nd time or a 3rd time, your weapons are so much upgraded that you can have a more action-oriented approach in terms of playing, and massacre any necromorph on your way (basically, you turned into John Wick for the necromorphs).

In conclusion, a very successful remake. The developers improved every single improvable aspect of the game. It's not a simple copy-paste of the original game with new graphics, but a whole new transformative experience. I hope this game will set the new gold standards for how remakes should be done.

I recently wrote a review on the Callisto Protocol and really praised the game for its simplicity. It was honestly just more of the same as we got back in the original Dead Space with a few more layers on combat so I think its a fair thing comparing both games.

Lets start by the dissonance between the two. I played both games on Medium difficulty and the differences between the two are really there. I simply cannot count the amount of deaths I got playing The Callisto Protocol, the reasons being resource management, "hand to hand" combat and overall slow pace of the game. Things I didn't get playing Dead Space (maybe I should play in a higher difficulty) I died a total of 3 times playing the game and NONE of them were from enemies, just the environment. The health system in Dead Space is really simple and doesn't put you in the edge as your heath is getting lower. Something that was criticized a lot in The Callisto Protocol, but for me, especially after the patch were it was a faster to heal, adds up another layer of "tenseness" in combat.

Now whats both games got wrong is the bosses for me, just bland to be honest. The real boss of the games is when you are crowded by enemies. But in Dead Space you just had an abundant amount of "bullets" to be spent in those moments, in Callisto you had more of a challenge controlling the swarming enemies.

Now in terms of performance, for me DS played better, more fluid, and faster without taking the heavy movements from the character. As well in frame rates, I can't recall a time were it dropped frames, but in CP it dropped a lot of times.

Both tell similar "tales" as well, nothing to be astonished by but interesting little stories.

So after this comparison I'm gonna impose a question was Callisto Protocol as bad as people say or we are just short of opinions and take the ones from other people?

Overall Dead Space was a fun, engaging and simple experience (and don't get me wrong simple is good).

Motive has taken on the momentous task of bringing a classic back to life and they utterly nail it, crafting a faithful game that tweaks just enough to unsettle returning and new players alike. The atmosphere is thick, the sound and creature designs are on point, and its graphical update sets the bloody and visceral standard for survival horror in 2023.

EA made a massive mistake ending this series, one of many massive mistakes it made after getting the single-player formula right so many times, but, hopefully, Dead Space: Remake shows them the passion and creativity that gamers lust for, and, hopefully, Dead Space has returned from the dead space EA left it in.

I never write reviews for games on here usually, but seeing as Sony doesn't allow reviews at their place I thought I'd come here as I feel very strongly about it.

This is a faithful update indeed, the only thing it does is add to the original and that is rare these days, most remakes butcher the original and leave a scar on precious memories (I'm looking at you Saint's Row reboot)

Anyhoo, I first played DS on PC, on that EA Origin thingy, but I knew about the game for years not long after it's first release, just could never get it until many moons passed, so I got the trilogy and played thru. What an experience! I loved it, the creepy ship, the monsters, the story, all fabulous, then barely 2 years later I hear about the remaster and I'm thinking....'uh oh this can't be good' but I'll now willingly eat my words as it has proven me super wrong.

Another year is so passed until the release in January 2023 and I'm looking and hoping it's gong to be everything it was. It sure is, and more! This is a labour of love by the team, they've remade it inch by inch and added side missions and a new game plus. Not to mention the beautiful visual upgrade and the eerie sounds of the ship now in full stereo!

If you love Dead Space please add this to your library, you shall never regret it, I promise!!