Dead Space 3 is the long awaited conclusion of the franchise we have come to know and love. We've seen Isaac, our hero for the newcomers, come far since his initial journey a few years ago, with the games taking a slightly different approach on what horror is with every new release. Now, in 2013, we finally get to play the third game.
HistoryAs a horrorfanatic since my early ages I was thrilled to get my hands on this game. Sure, I figured it wouldn't be nearly as scary as the original debut title, but the combination of action/horror the second game gave us made me hungry for more. Sure, Dead Space 2 wasn't completely a horror game, but it had so much more than the original, namely a better storyline, more intense action sequences (anyone remember the first time you get shot out of the Solar Array station? Awesome!) and felt more like a full horror experience in general.
So here we are with 3, which could have taken two directions: follow in the footsteps of the first game and make us piss our pants, or line up with the second game, trying to give us the Hollywood-definition of horror. It's the second option that Visceral and EA chose for, but it isn't all that bad like many people claim it to be. Dead Space is back with a bang that won't let go of you for a long time.
GameplayDead Space 3 is a third-person horror/action game and plays as one. For those who never played a Dead Space-game before; the controls are very similar to a modern Resident Evil (4 and 5), with the exception that you're allowed to move while aiming. You play Isaac Clarke, a man with arguably the worst past in history. He's seen the most horrible things, had to kill hundreds, if not thousands flesh hungry Necromorphs; a horrible parasitic creature that turns corpses and infected beings into horrific new morphs, hence the name. In Dead Space 3, Isaac is dragged into a war he doesn't want to be a part of, a war between the EarthGov and the Church of Unitology. The latter has gone berserk and will do anything to kill Clarke, no matter the price (read: suicide bombings).
This time, however, Isaac is joined by a battle hardened soldier: John Carver. He's seen his family slaughter by the leader of the Church and has survived the terrorist attacks so far. At first, the duo absolutely hate each other, but nothing's without reason. To find out what will happen to them, you'll need to play the game, which this time can be done in
two-player co-op.
In Dead Space 3 your main objective is to survive, which can be done in several ways. You can choose to run away from enemies, but this will not always work. Then you'll be forced to fight, meaning you'll get to cut off all limbs of a Necromorph before they'll die. Yup; headshots will only make them more aggressive. Ammunition is limited, so players will need to scavenge whatever they can find, which is also where Dead Space 3 takes a new turn compared to its predecessors. Players will be able to craft weapons, supplies and ammo this time around. Anyone want an electrified Ripper with a rocket launcher as a secondary attachment? I do!
Graphics and SoundMany gamers nowadays immediately look at the graphics of a new title, which brings us to the next point in this review: Graphics and sound.
Dead Space 3 doesn't look all that special, but still maintains the Dead Space-vibe the previous two games have. Everything looks depressing, dead and gory. The quality of the graphics themselves are nothing special, but they get the job done right. The engine the game runs on is showing its age; things such as texture pop-up among other minor graphical distractions might annoy graphics purists.
The sound, mainly the game's score, is as brilliant as it's ever been. The soundtrack is overwhelming and intimidating at the same time, mainly when certain unkillable enemies will chase you. It's simply amazing and will manage to put you on the edge of your seat.
The sound itself is also perfect for a game like this. Necromorphs make sounds that will send chills down your spine, dialog is emotional and genuine and certain vehicle and explosion sound effects are simply amazing. Crank up the volume, will you?!
Replayvalue and AchievementsJust as with the previous two titles, Dead Space 3 offers a nice amount of content for your buck. A single playthrough can take between 10-16 hours, depending on the amount of sidemissions you'll do. After completing the game, players will be presented with several New Game+ options, such as the infamous Hardcore mode, but also several new difficulty levels that will guarantee to spice up your Dead Space 3 experience.
The many collectibles and fun weapon crafting system will also drag players back into the action, especially us achievementhunters. Speaking of achievements; Dead Space 3 offers a nice list of rewards to brag about. Varying from completing several storymode related events, to doing ridiculous tasks such as not getting seen by certain enemies during a specific chapter and achievements that will make you play the game again with a co-op buddy; Dead Space 3 has a nice and varied list of achievements out there for you to achieve. However, it will take quite a few hours, skill, luck and patience, as the list is anything but easy.
VerdictVisceral and EA have turned Dead Space into a well-done mix of horror and action since the second game, and have improved that experience with Dead Space 3. Everything here is spot on; from the graphics to the sound up to the weapon crafting system and the new sidemissions. It's all here and the addition of co-op allows players to experience the galatic terror with a friend. If you're looking for a game like the original: you won't find it here. What you will find is an excellent game with plenty of content, scares and great action sequences. A must-buy for fans of the series and fans of the genre.
4.0