The survival horror genre is rife with games in which you are isolated
in a hostile environment full of monsters, and Dead Space is no
exception. But from the moment you're thrown into the middle of the fray
in the heart-pounding introduction until the bone-chilling conclusion,
it's clear that this is something quite unique. With its disturbingly
twisted visuals, its deeply engrossing story, and innovative strategic
dismemberment combat system, Dead Space is a best-in-its-class game that
surpasses other entries in its venerable genre in nearly every way and
will be the standard by which they are judged for years to come.
When the Concordance Extraction Corporation loses radio contact with its Planet Cracker-class mining ship, the USG
Ishimura,
engineer Isaac Clarke is dispatched on a routine mission to repair its
communications array. However, Clarke is also on a mission of his own,
having recently received a cryptic message from Nicole Brennan, a
medical officer serving aboard the
Ishimura. While on board he
intends to reunite with her and learn the meaning behind her strange
broadcast. Unfortunately, the moment you set foot on the derelict ship,
it's obvious that something terrible has happened.
As Isaac, you are separated almost immediately from the rest of your team by the former crew of the
Ishimura,
which has been transformed into horrifying monsters called Necromorphs.
Forced to fight for his survival, Isaac makes do with the tools at hand
to defend himself with, which are for the most part repurposed mining
instruments like plasma welding guns or buzz saws. These improvised
weapons are put to graphic, gruesome work as bodily damage and even
severe head trauma isn't enough to kill a Necromorph--only by severing
their limbs can you put them down for good. This nuance, referred to as
strategic dismemberment, vastly alters the way combat is approached in
Dead Space from the typical "aim for the head"-style gameplay seen in
most action games and zombie apocalypse scenarios.
Every class of Necromorph requires a different strategy to handle, and
knowing how to combat multiple types simultaneously is an essential
skill if you want to survive for long. Though dismemberment is
ultimately the key to victory, failing to finish off a monster properly
will only send it into a berserker rage and force it to adapt to its
new, partially appendageless situation so that it can continue trying to
eat your face. Even more alarming than their ghastly appearances and
uncouth manners is the fact that they are quite intelligent. Necromorphs
attack in packs using loose team tactics, and are capable of traversing
the ship's extensive ventilation system to sneak around for outflanking
or ambushing. They feign death among the corpses of their peers to rise
up and attack when you least expect it, and they often come in waves,
leaving you wondering if it's truly over or if they're simply toying
with you.
The most basic Necromorphs are humanoid monsters that attack in a
frenzy. Horribly mutated undead babies also make an appearance, and
they run along the walls and ceilings sprouting tentacles from their
backs capable of throwing organic projectiles. Others still are heavily
armored but vulnerable from behind, are bloated with dozens of
spiderlike parasites that are released upon their host's death, or
shriek madly as they carry explosive pods toward you in a suicidal
charge. In one fully interactive gameplay sequence that comprises some
of the more amazing moments to be experienced in Dead Space, you're
assaulted by the gigantic tentacle of an even larger, unseen beast that
drags you to a gruesome and bloody death as you struggle to shoot
yourself free.
Finally, at several key points in the story, Isaac stumbles upon some of
the most incredible and truly terrifying boss monsters to be seen in
the survival horror genre. Though revealing the circumstances around
which you confront these nightmares would do much to spoil them, it is
safe to say that these epic encounters are easily some of the most
remarkable seen in years.
Download free:
click here
