I loved Dead Space. That perfect blend of gory shooter action, Silent Hill-like psychological scares, and a healthy nod to movies like Alien and Event Horizon. It was also damn hard in places, something that can’t be said for many games today. So the sequel was an instant purchase, and to say I’m impressed, well …
I know it makes little sense, when us gamers are relatively ignored during the summer, only to get a shed load of new releases all thrust onto shop shelves at the same time. Too many games and not enough money I hear you say – but wait! Think about what as a gamer you enjoy the most, be it shooting everything that moves (then go for Gears of War 2 obviously) or do you want horror and atmosphere to your carnage? Go for Dead Space. Or maybe you’re a bit more patient, and want to explore a large free roaming world? The best bet is probably Fallout 3, although Fable 2 and Far Cry 2 also hit this mark. Naturally all the aforementioned games are worth playing (perhaps rent the ones your unsure of and buy the ones you know you’ll love). At the moment even an impulse buy such as what I did with Dead Space can prove worthwhile. Even though I chose it over Far Cry 2 – I have had no reason to look back.
Back to Dead Space, I promised an update on my impressions so here it is:
Graphically it delivers on all accounts – some stunning effects (including realistic flame, smoke, dust etc) and some of the best lighting I have seen for some time. The game is also very effective in scarring the pants off you, with some brilliant choices of eerie imagery; catching a glimpse of a figure in a darkened doorway, or seeing a fellow crew man kill themselves after laughing crazilly at themselves. Add to this the excellent combat, the weapons and their many ways of using them, the use of telekenisis ala Half-Life 2 and Bioshock, with slow motion ‘bullet time’ and other gaming cliches all given a new lease of life. Might I also add that I have experienced some of the most grueling action I think I have ever witnessed in a game – it gets DAMN HARD in the later sections of the game, but somehow, I keep on progressing, just getting through the mayhem by the skin of my teeth. It’s never unfair, and you always believe you will do it – just one more go!
The designers of this game just got everything right – which nine times out of ten just doesn’t happen. Hands down the best game this year (and everything Alone In The Dark completely f***** up), at least until I get my hands on Gears Of War 2….and a little game that could be the best damn thing ever, Mirror’s Edge – check out the demo on XBOX LIVE and PlayStation Network now!!
I love the horror genre, and videogames are no exception, with some prime examples over the years from Konami’s brilliant Silent Hill series (especially the unnerving, brilliantly paced SH #2), the much acclaimed Resident Evil franchise, and now this from Electronic Arts, a publisher I have come to despise due to their endless revenue and their buying up of talented development houses only to rip them apart until little of the initial talent remains. Oh and their yearly sports updates and mainstream marketing leave a bad taste in my mouth. Yet word has it that this publisher has begun to turn its game around with some promising titles on the horizon (including the fantastic looking Mirror’s Edge) and so we come to this, EA’s toe-in-the-water attempt at a survival horror.
I liked the look of this, claustrophobic corridors, inventive weaponry, eerie atmosphere and ‘things’ to kill on a haunted space ship. Harks back to the forgotten classic horror movie Event Horizon (which is brilliant – don’t let anyone tell you different), as you play some Marine who thankfully is not bald or muscular, but kinda looks a bit f***** up with a bizarre suit and helmet. This is an example of the game’s top-drawer art design with some great H.R. Geiger influenced imagery and stunning attention to detail. Yes, it was done just as well in ID’s brilliant shooter Doom 3 (which this game resembles in all but perspective), and for me, the whole place is a joy to explore. Add to this some inventive creature design (they kinda look like mutated survivors of the space ship, at first guess at least), and some intense confrontations and jump moments – I’m already completely sucked in.
I will report back soon with more on my impressions as I play through the game. So far so brilliant.
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